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You heard it here first: NSS is firmly re-established as a premier venue for SLM extra distance races. The turmoil of recent years is subsiding, so the participation is back up. Couple this with the superior, multi-groove surface, and you have the recipe for excellent and entertaining racing.
Last nights race was even better than this years PASS race (which was damn good). It reminded me of Talladega, where drivers move way up and way back in the running order every few laps. There was constant side-by-side action; nothing like the freight train races that we used to settle for. I thought it was better than any GC 200 that I've ever seen at NSS. Some of you will recall the races at Golden Gate 40 years ago, and think that no modern event can compare. Hey, it is in the eye of the beholder, and this race fan thought the 2010 Governor's Cup was outstanding. Here is why.
42 entries and 36 starters. No junk either! There were a few cars that were off the pace on Friday, but by Saturday they were nowhere to be seen. The 36 competitive cars did not have the field fillers who spin out and wreck every 2 laps. Also, because they were fast, and with the timing of the cautions, there was virtually no lapped traffic to cause problems.
The half-way pit stop appeared to work out just fine. It would have been a problem in previous years when the cars couldn't pass, but this time nothing was needed to jumble the field; it just happened!
Of course it helps to have a huge crowd and a popular local winner. The very racey out of state cars also added lots of interest, and I've become a Becka Kaston fan.
The big, gaping hole in the program was the 2 hour delay in time trials. Two hours? I was in the parking lot at the BBQ, so I didn't see what happened, but it must have been linked to the tech inspection before qualifying. Next time, I hope someone grabs that bull by the horns and shakes things up to keep the day moving.
It would have been a good night to add a few more wreckers and clean up crew. Some of the yellows really dragged on.
I was astonished that the autograph session took place, but I appeared to be the only one who worried about it. Everyone seemed to have fun, but in the end, the show was too long. My class didn't finish racing until after 1 am.
You can't have a "Good, Bad and Ugly" description without the ugly, so here goes. What happened to the septic system? I went by the concession area ONCE and after getting a whiff, resolved to avoid that scene for the rest of the night. Lets just say there are "issues" with the bathrooms that must be addressed. Maybe they only occur with a huge crowd, but if the track wants to continue climbing back, this must be addressed.
Overall, it was a blast! Adding local classes to the two night format allowed me to run both nights. I know all of us in the dreg classes appreciate the chance to be in on the big show.
Last nights race was even better than this years PASS race (which was damn good). It reminded me of Talladega, where drivers move way up and way back in the running order every few laps. There was constant side-by-side action; nothing like the freight train races that we used to settle for. I thought it was better than any GC 200 that I've ever seen at NSS. Some of you will recall the races at Golden Gate 40 years ago, and think that no modern event can compare. Hey, it is in the eye of the beholder, and this race fan thought the 2010 Governor's Cup was outstanding. Here is why.
42 entries and 36 starters. No junk either! There were a few cars that were off the pace on Friday, but by Saturday they were nowhere to be seen. The 36 competitive cars did not have the field fillers who spin out and wreck every 2 laps. Also, because they were fast, and with the timing of the cautions, there was virtually no lapped traffic to cause problems.
The half-way pit stop appeared to work out just fine. It would have been a problem in previous years when the cars couldn't pass, but this time nothing was needed to jumble the field; it just happened!
Of course it helps to have a huge crowd and a popular local winner. The very racey out of state cars also added lots of interest, and I've become a Becka Kaston fan.
The big, gaping hole in the program was the 2 hour delay in time trials. Two hours? I was in the parking lot at the BBQ, so I didn't see what happened, but it must have been linked to the tech inspection before qualifying. Next time, I hope someone grabs that bull by the horns and shakes things up to keep the day moving.
It would have been a good night to add a few more wreckers and clean up crew. Some of the yellows really dragged on.
I was astonished that the autograph session took place, but I appeared to be the only one who worried about it. Everyone seemed to have fun, but in the end, the show was too long. My class didn't finish racing until after 1 am.
You can't have a "Good, Bad and Ugly" description without the ugly, so here goes. What happened to the septic system? I went by the concession area ONCE and after getting a whiff, resolved to avoid that scene for the rest of the night. Lets just say there are "issues" with the bathrooms that must be addressed. Maybe they only occur with a huge crowd, but if the track wants to continue climbing back, this must be addressed.
Overall, it was a blast! Adding local classes to the two night format allowed me to run both nights. I know all of us in the dreg classes appreciate the chance to be in on the big show.
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