What's wrong with you folks?

[Jeremy]

Last Nationals event I went to at this track the second round of Stock was at 1:00 AM and the finals wasn't until 4:00 AM. Also the winner in stock was dialing nearly a half second off his normal dial because the track was so slick.

This wasn't my idea of fun.

Thanks

[Tracy Robbins]

I guess this "win and your in tournament" is really bringing out the racers!

[THE LEGEND]

Actually Car counts for the sportsman is only down 6 cars from last years race. Thats not too bad considering the economy we are in. I had originally planned on going to this race then head south to Texas for the div and sportsnationals next week. The reason I did not was Rockingham rescheduled for next week and it's only 45 miles from here.
I think IHRA is on to something with the 2 day national events.
Chip Johnson
HR 10
QR 924

[THE LEGEND]

In the past you had some of the so called "HITTERS" in IHRA that would flock to these low car count races to get some easy points. Without a national points system thats not the case anymore. Someone posted on another thread that Englishtown had mainly Division 1 cars there this year and the Nationals look like they were becoming more regionalized. This could be the case with the IHRA events in Dallas and Tulsa. Before you start throwing Rocks at a sanctioned event look at all the factors involved.
Chip Johnson
HR 10
QR 924

[Irondog]

Are you telling me that there was only 9 or 10 stockers at a IHRA national event. I thought drag racing was on a comeback!

[John Kelley]

BILL.......it couldn't be the WEATHER FORCAST of SEVERE WEATHER in the area could it ???

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Last Nationals event I went to at this track the second round of Stock was at 1:00 AM and the finals wasn't until 4:00 AM. Also the winner in stock was dialing nearly a half second off his normal dial because the track was so slick.

That's odd. I interviewed the winner last year, and he didn't mention anything about the track being slick. He did mention that the air was almost 4,300' DA, though. He was indeed dialed slower than his qualifying run... hardly unusual.

I made the 21hr trip to Tulsa two years ago. I loved the facility, and had no traction problems at all. The air was thicker than mud that year, too, so we were all slow. We had a ton of rain leading up to and during the event, but everyone did a great job to get the event in. If it were 10hrs closer, and I'd go.

I doubt anybody thinks that a 4AM finish time is anywhere near standard-issue. That'd be like saying "I'm never going to the Keystones again - they finished the race on WEDNESDAY!" Bad circumstances, and you make the best of it.

[Adger Smith]

Just add my name to the list not there...but I was a wannabe.
It's just a sign of the times. Hard economy, fuel prices going up, weather issues. I don't think IHRA,NHRA,ZHRA or NobodyHRA could change those facts. Why all the negativism?
I was planning on being there but my tow truck spit a head gasket on the way home from the race at Memphis (only race I've made in 2 1/2 years) & I've been a little under the (health) weather, lately. The economy dictates I spend my time at the shop working instead of off racing. If I had been ready the weather forecast would have been an issue. We have had a cold front stalled on Oklahoma, Texas & Arkansas for over a week now. Anything could happen with those type weather systems. I've had to do my yard work in stages, between storms & showers & heat. It's not the track, IHRA, or their programs that kept me from being there.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Don't need an excuse, as is typical of most IHRA races West of the Miss. poor Class turn outs. I saw there were only 19 T/S cars. IHRA has almost always had poor car counts when they go West, probably because historically they've been an East coast org. I'm not really sure why they continue to try to run these races out of their neighborhood. I'd like for it to work for them but I don't see it happening especially with the economic climate we're in. Oh yeah I believe there were only 12 H/R cars also, so don't point the finger at Stock Super Stock guys for not carrying them. It really doesn't make sense to make the trip out there when there's plenty of N & I races within a 5 hour tow. Also with the contengencies WAY down you can go run a race like the Buckeye S/SS combo's and win about the same money. Joe

[Michael Lyons]

potetial prize money vs cost to attend race? Goin head to head with a divisional at Joliet didn't help probably any either. Lots of cars starting with a 5 in their number at Joliet...