Selecting the first few pairings to run

442OLDS · 06-08-2009, 10:05 PM

At Joliet,they called the left side of the ladder for first round.Then they called the right side.
I was on the right side and ended up being in the first pair out for first round.
While I don't really care,there seems to be several drivers that like to "hang back" and see how everybody is running to decide on their dial-in.
This is probably a good strategy,but somebody has to be first.
I was at a Division 5 race last year where the first three pair to run were randomly chosen and it was noted on the ladder.Just wondering if anybody thinks this is a good idea?
I actually wanted to be first because the Perfectly Strange money was up to about $1500.(missed it by .004)I don't think anybody won it yet,so there is some big money up for grabs at Englishtown.

Nitro Joe Jackson · 06-08-2009, 10:23 PM

its always the same people hanging back, they (tracks) need to go back to "the days" when there was chains that went across each lane, if you wasn't in the lanes 10 minutes after the call, to bad you was done.

I know one thing I would NOT put up with it at all at one of our Buckeye races unless I knew they was working on it trying to make the round.

herbjr · 06-09-2009, 05:00 AM

As long as they dont delay the race, but, I was at a race years ago when they made last call for SS qualifiing then they closed the lanes. When the first SS car went down out of over 100 the chain was pulled. probably 30 cars didnt make the run.

Casey Miles · 06-09-2009, 07:50 AM

Good thing there is a ladder at least in place. If there wasn't a ladder, there would be alot of duck hunting (I'd be a target) going on at National and Divisional events. I know that there are some racers that come into the lanes purposely late so that they are getting as much information as possible before putting their "guess" on the back window. Don't know if you should applaud them or penilize them.
Casey Miles
248H

Mike Voth · 06-09-2009, 08:29 AM

It's not all about dial-ins and sitting back waiting to make sure you're dialed right. Most of the time, the predictor is accurate enough not to worry about that, however, mother nature does throw a curveball at you from time to time. For us, it's about the track. It seems NHRA stops the show after whatever "super" category runs directly in front of us. Then, they prep and spray the track. In our experience, being first out of the gate, the car tends to spin and doesn't repeat. We hate seeing the sprayer when we're next. After one or two pair, it's back to normal. This, quite possibly, is just us, but I imagine the automatic cars don't experience this.

Just my 2 cents.

Stephen & Horace Johnson · 06-09-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Voth

It's not all about dial-ins and sitting back waiting to make sure you're dialed right. Most of the time, the predictor is accurate enough not to worry about that, however, mother nature does throw a curveball at you from time to time. For us, it's about the track. It seems NHRA stops the show after whatever "super" category runs directly in front of us. Then, they prep and spray the track. In our experience, being first out of the gate, the car tends to spin and doesn't repeat. We hate seeing the sprayer when we're next. After one or two pair, it's back to normal. This, quite possibly, is just us, but I imagine the automatic cars don't experience this.

Just my 2 cents.

Very, Very Good Point,

Stephen Johnson#2162
Horace Johnson #2167
SS/D 427 Ford Fairlane NHRA-IHRA

Michael Beard · 06-09-2009, 09:19 AM

When I was running both Stock and Super Stock last year, there were several occasions that I got back from my Stock run, and they were already calling Super Stock. I did my logbook, weather, checked over the Super Stocker, and headed for the lanes... and was afraid I might be late. Nope, first pair out, time after time. It's really pretty ridiculous.

Ron Ortiz · 06-09-2009, 09:39 AM

I understand Mr. Voth's point of view on the spraying. Only thing it is the opposite for me, I actually slow down due to the adhesivesness.

In terms of when I get to the lanes after they call varies. Knowing that we run at 8:00 AM, I will try to be the first pair out in qualifing to duplicate the air when eliminations start on Saturday. I will try to get my last qualifing run as late as possible to simulate the air change during the day.

During eliminations some drivers want to be late due to the suns glare on the tree or early latter on the day to avoid dusk.

I have been bitten too many times by watching what other cars do to adjust my dial. I have learned to just trust my own weather prediction. So therefore my arrival time in the lanes is of little importance.

There are many racers on this forum. What are their reasons for different arrival times. Lets hear it.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date

Bob Gullett · 06-09-2009, 10:03 AM

In Div. 6 they pick 3 racers at random in stock and super stock. They are picked in order they are the first 3 with their opponents that get to go down the track in eliminations. No arguing that way. I think it is a good system.

Steve Williams · 06-09-2009, 10:20 AM

One particular driver who has won many national events always lays back and generally is in the last two pairs out. We noticed this and watched at a couple years of national events and came to this conclusion. He doesn't want to be fast so he and his crew watch intently as to what is transpiring. You couldn't talk to that guy even if he shoe was on fire. He is watching with purpose. We also noticed this: If the session is close to dark, he is the first pair or second pair out without fail. Why? He hates driving at night and his stellar driving at day becomes horrendous at night. Some know of who I refer to and others will figure it out at the races. Suffice to say, if you have to race the guy at night, just be somewhat on time and watch it happen before your eyes.

Steve

06-08-2009, 10:05 PM	#1
442OLDS VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Elgin,IL Posts: 1,338 Likes: 5 Liked 281 Times in 102 Posts	Selecting the first few pairings to run At Joliet,they called the left side of the ladder for first round.Then they called the right side. I was on the right side and ended up being in the first pair out for first round. While I don't really care,there seems to be several drivers that like to "hang back" and see how everybody is running to decide on their dial-in. This is probably a good strategy,but somebody has to be first. I was at a Division 5 race last year where the first three pair to run were randomly chosen and it was noted on the ladder.Just wondering if anybody thinks this is a good idea? I actually wanted to be first because the Perfectly Strange money was up to about $1500.(missed it by .004)I don't think anybody won it yet,so there is some big money up for grabs at Englishtown.

06-09-2009, 05:00 AM	#3
herbjr VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greensboro NC Posts: 1,027 Likes: 1 Liked 83 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Selecting the first few pairings to run As long as they dont delay the race, but, I was at a race years ago when they made last call for SS qualifiing then they closed the lanes. When the first SS car went down out of over 100 the chain was pulled. probably 30 cars didnt make the run.

06-09-2009, 07:50 AM	#4
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 703 Likes: 125 Liked 488 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Selecting the first few pairings to run Good thing there is a ladder at least in place. If there wasn't a ladder, there would be alot of duck hunting (I'd be a target) going on at National and Divisional events. I know that there are some racers that come into the lanes purposely late so that they are getting as much information as possible before putting their "guess" on the back window. Don't know if you should applaud them or penilize them. Casey Miles 248H

06-09-2009, 08:29 AM	#5
Mike Voth Live Reporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Buhler, KS Posts: 527 Likes: 5 Liked 57 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Selecting the first few pairings to run It's not all about dial-ins and sitting back waiting to make sure you're dialed right. Most of the time, the predictor is accurate enough not to worry about that, however, mother nature does throw a curveball at you from time to time. For us, it's about the track. It seems NHRA stops the show after whatever "super" category runs directly in front of us. Then, they prep and spray the track. In our experience, being first out of the gate, the car tends to spin and doesn't repeat. We hate seeing the sprayer when we're next. After one or two pair, it's back to normal. This, quite possibly, is just us, but I imagine the automatic cars don't experience this. Just my 2 cents. __________________ Mike Voth 5189 GTN - 5188 GTO Voth Racing

06-09-2009, 09:19 AM	#7
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Selecting the first few pairings to run When I was running both Stock and Super Stock last year, there were several occasions that I got back from my Stock run, and they were already calling Super Stock. I did my logbook, weather, checked over the Super Stocker, and headed for the lanes... and was afraid I might be late. Nope, first pair out, time after time. It's really pretty ridiculous. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

06-08-2009, 10:23 PM	#2
Nitro Joe Jackson VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Loudonville, Ohio or where ever the Nitro Lounge is parked Posts: 2,293 Likes: 54 Liked 67 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Selecting the first few pairings to run its always the same people hanging back, they (tracks) need to go back to "the days" when there was chains that went across each lane, if you wasn't in the lanes 10 minutes after the call, to bad you was done. I know one thing I would NOT put up with it at all at one of our Buckeye races unless I knew they was working on it trying to make the round. __________________ Nitro Joe Jackson STK 3431 nitrojoe@neo.rr.com

06-09-2009, 09:39 AM	#8
Ron Ortiz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Englewood, Florida Posts: 987 Likes: 33 Liked 315 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Selecting the first few pairings to run I understand Mr. Voth's point of view on the spraying. Only thing it is the opposite for me, I actually slow down due to the adhesivesness. In terms of when I get to the lanes after they call varies. Knowing that we run at 8:00 AM, I will try to be the first pair out in qualifing to duplicate the air when eliminations start on Saturday. I will try to get my last qualifing run as late as possible to simulate the air change during the day. During eliminations some drivers want to be late due to the suns glare on the tree or early latter on the day to avoid dusk. I have been bitten too many times by watching what other cars do to adjust my dial. I have learned to just trust my own weather prediction. So therefore my arrival time in the lanes is of little importance. There are many racers on this forum. What are their reasons for different arrival times. Lets hear it. Ron Ortiz U/SA I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date __________________ Ron Ortiz 2102 STK

06-09-2009, 10:03 AM	#9
Bob Gullett VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,099 Likes: 56 Liked 461 Times in 111 Posts	Re: Selecting the first few pairings to run In Div. 6 they pick 3 racers at random in stock and super stock. They are picked in order they are the first 3 with their opponents that get to go down the track in eliminations. No arguing that way. I think it is a good system. __________________ 68 Chevy11 327 F/S

06-09-2009, 10:20 AM	#10
Steve Williams Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 352 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Selecting the first few pairings to run One particular driver who has won many national events always lays back and generally is in the last two pairs out. We noticed this and watched at a couple years of national events and came to this conclusion. He doesn't want to be fast so he and his crew watch intently as to what is transpiring. You couldn't talk to that guy even if he shoe was on fire. He is watching with purpose. We also noticed this: If the session is close to dark, he is the first pair or second pair out without fail. Why? He hates driving at night and his stellar driving at day becomes horrendous at night. Some know of who I refer to and others will figure it out at the races. Suffice to say, if you have to race the guy at night, just be somewhat on time and watch it happen before your eyes. Steve