RANDY’S BLOG ON DRIVER QUALIFICATION APRIL 2008

I recently heard that Kelly Cross, Rodney Sanders, and some other top drivers may be running a Sport Mod this year. Most special shows always will have some heavy hitters enter them as several Sport Mod special shows are beginning to pay some bigger money. You have to think it might attract some top drivers. I figured they might get hired to drive for someone that already had a Sport Mod.

Maybe for a weekly show the standard for who can run should be set. I would not tell a hot dog driver that they could not race but I would set some guidelines as to how they could compete. The old point average deal works pretty good. The top drivers, the one’s who can maintain a high point average should be place at the very back of the line-up, not 12^th or 6^th row outside but dead last. I also would place the previous week’s winner at the very rear of the line-up as well. The point average should also be figured properly. Take the total points of each driver has earned and divide that number by the number of racers that they raced in, not divided by the number of races that the track has run for the year. I know of at least one track that does this wrong.

The Sport Mod class will be very vulnerable for a weekly class here in it’s first year. If the class is to grow and be a feeder class to the Mods then the hot dogs should be given a tough hill to climb. If one or two of the hot dogs dominate and I say they probably will at first, then they should have to work for it. The real test or future for this new class will be as to how the track officials at all the tracks tech inspect the winners. If the cheater runs 4^th every week that is fine, let him cheat but if the winner is cheating or even just bending the rules into a gray area and not getting caught, it will ruin the class before it get going good. Now, I have nothing against Kelly Cross or the other hot dog cause I like to watch them race, especially against some other hot dogs but for a weekly show, they should not be allowed to take win against the less experienced drivers (cherry picking) and probably less funded racers. Just my opinion.

I am planning several special shows for the Sport Mods and everyone is invited to race. My races are invitational only and our track is not “open to the public” so we have the right to refuse anyone from racing at the Speedbowl.

I know why Kelly quit racing the modifeds.  The fun quit.  That is the only reason to race, for fun.  I know what it costs to run a top knotch modified and I know what it pays.  So, when the fun goes away so do the racers.  The modified class is in trouble at most tracks because the cost have gone through the roof.  The Sport Mod class will most likely replace the Modifieds at a lot of tracks as the top class.

Just some of my thoughts looking into the 2008 race season.

I wish everyone good luck this year.  So have a safe and rewarding time at what ever track you choose to race at in 2008