Memorial Day Tribute

On this Memorial Day, be sure to thank ANY man or woman you know who has served in our nation's armed forces, is currently serving, or will be serving in the near future. As we talk about this, it should be known that some of our favorite drivers may have served or even currently serve in the military. One driver I know here locally is Ryan Little. Both he and his brother have served in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. Our local videographer was gracious enough to send them DVD's of the racing action each week while they were in Iraq. I know they greatly appreciated that. As soon as they got back they were back behind the wheel of their race cars. I know this is just one of many stories that are out there in the racing world. I know of another racer, Randy Korte, who's son Dustin is currently in the United States Army. He is a Private. He enrolled in 2007. I thank him, the Littles, and EVERY OTHER man and woman, racer or not, who have served, currently serve, or will serve in the future, for defending our nation. Without people like them, we wouldn't be able to enjoy our many freedoms, including racing. THANK YOU!!

Inverts

Inverts are a highly debated topic among fans and drivers in whatever level of motorsports they are used in. They can be used to invert the heat winners in a class at the local short track (say the winner of the last heat rolls a 2, the Heat 2 winner will be on the pole, and the first heat winner starts 2nd). Inverts also change the arrangement of cars based on qualifying times (say a 3 is rolled, the fastest car starts 3rd). This is what the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series did until this year. Eldora Speedway also does this for both of it's major dirt late model races, The Dream and World 100. They can be used after a segment of a race to invert a select number of cars, like the All Star Race used to for NASCAR. Here are my honest thoughts about inverts. I honestly think they suck. It punishes drivers for going out and giving it their all in time trials, or punishes someone who did well in their heat race. It handicaps drivers, which doesn't occur in other sports. Is Tiger Woods started 10 strokes behind the field, and forced to make it up? No. Is a team in the NBA/NHL/NFL playoffs started a touchdown, field goal, goal, or 10 points down and forced to make it up? NO. Why are race car drivers forced to do this? Part of it is that it creates some excitement for the fans, but I am not terribly thrilled with them. If a track is prepared well, drivers can make adjustments and catch up to their fellow competitors. If a driver has something figured out, he shouldn't be punished (as long as what he is doing is legal that is). Quit handicapping racers promoters and series officials!! Let the racers race!! They will do what they need to to catch up to the others.

94th Indianapolis 500 on the Speedway's 100th Birthday.

Indy. Just mentioning this during the month of May, you know what it means. It means practice, toiling on cars, searching for the speed to take the pole for the 94th running of The Indianapolis 500. It means practicing numerous laps to get the car ready for The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. It is the pursuit of history, and to become a part of it. It is about the cold bottle of milk that awaits the winner in victory lane and being draped with the winner's wreath. It is getting your face inscribed in the famous Borg Warner Trophy, known as the antique silver cup. We as fans can go to just one day, or EVERY day the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is open during the month of May. This year marks the 100th year of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's existence. There will be extra bragging rights at stake in addition to all of the traditions that makes Indy so special, such as Jim Nabors singing Back Home Again in Indiana with the Purdue Marching Band backing him, and the release of the balloons at the end of the song.. Who will win on the Speedway's 100th Birthday? Could Helio Castroneves join A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears as a 4 time winner? Could Marco Andretti score the second win for the Andretti family, the first since Mario's triumph in 1969? Could the 500 produce a first time winner in the IRL? We will find out on Sunday, May 30th. All of the preparation, the dedication, the practice, will all manifest in a single moment. At the end of 500 miles, someone will become a part of Indy history. I can't wait to see what happens!!

Crashes

In racing, it is inevitable that there may be a crash. It can be caused by numerous things. It could be a mechanical malfunction such as a blown motor, losing a wheel, etc. It could also be caused by contact with another driver, or just plain losing it and others having no place to go. No two crashes are alike. Some are a lot scarier than others. Those usually involve hard hits, flips, and fire. I will say that I am NOT a fan of crashes, but they are a part of the sport. I am always glad to see a driver walk away from a crash. I won't lie, they can be amazing to watch, but it isn't why I am drawn to racing. Those who cheer when drivers wreck make me sick. Those wishing a driver were hurt or killed in a wreck are dumbasses. Just because you don't like them doesn't mean they aren't human. They have people who care about them. They have families in some cases. To say something like that is just cold, stupid, and unadvised around true race fans.

Entry Fees

This is a topic I don't see a lot of around here, but I know in other places and series that there are entry fees. There was an event for street stocks at my local Friday night track last week that had one. The kicker was that the entry fee was $40 and the pit passes, which EVERY person buys, were $35. This sucks for the drivers and crew members. The tow money was given back in the form of the entry fee. However, the drivers still paid $10 more for pit passes, regardless of class they run. I honestly see the entry fee as a useless thing that can add more confusion to things. That is why here in Central Illinois you RARELY see them. The purses are planned out based on other items besides this entry fee. You should have your financial aspects well planned out so you can pay the advertised purse to begin with. If raising the pit passes, don't get carried away. $30 would have been ok but $35 was a little much when some late model shows that pay the same don't charge that much. Plan on how you are you going to make your purse money, and plan for multiple scenarios. Any good business person has at least a couple plans in place in case things don't happen the way you think they will. To me, the ONLY entry fee there EVER should be is when you buy your pit pass to enter the pits that night, and nothing else.

Asphalt vs. Dirt

I know there are A LOT of fans that are divided about which racing surface, asphalt or dirt, is better than the other. Personally, I love both. I don't give a damn if it's an asphalt track or dirt track. I have seen good races as well as lousy races on both surfaces. There are some fine asphalt short tracks around the country. South Boston, Indianapolis Raceway Park, Irwindale, Salem, and Winchester are a few that come to mind. These race tracks have put on awesome shows. Thanks to the miracle of television I have had the chance to see races at all of these tracks. IRP is one of the nicest tracks, dirt or asphalt, that I have EVER been to. It is efficiently ran, and very fan friendly. I am actually considering going there for the USAC Silver Crown JD Byrider 100 and USAC National Midget Car show there the Thursday of the Brickyard 400. Have seen the Champ Cars in person, but not the midgets. For those who think that one surface is better than another, WAKE UP!! Don't limit yourself to just one type of racing or surface. Give it a chance and you just might be pleasantly surprised. A true race fan loves racing, regardless of surface.