These are the drivers in the running for of Driver of the Month

[Joanne Lucas]

Driver's notice

Okay so you say it has to be a driver that has been notice during the month. Okay you wrote the story on Joey Catarelli why is that not noticed. And there is no one on the list for Figure 8's. I better stay out of this one becasue I have not been in trouble for a while now and I'm not liking the way this is done. Sorry-just my opinion.
Okay then with your list I have to go with Wayne Jefferson who also has done fantastic..p.s. today is Joe Irwin's 25th BIRTHDAY!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON
Love mom and Paul

[john tenney]

I dont see how you can even compare drivers in supporting classes. In those classes "He who spends the most, WINS" at least in the upper classes they all spend a ton and not the same guy wins all the time. Driver of the month for supporting classes is a complete waste of time and they shouldnt even be nominated.

So we've turned this in to a class struggle have we?

[Boneman]

"He who spends the most wins"... You are kidding, right?

[Razpewton]

I've seen Track-Sponsored Driver and Rookie of the Year, Internet Radio-Sponsored Driver and Rookie of the Year and People's Choice Awards given at Putnam, voted on by the people and yielding completely different results. Some methods more accurately represent the people and some tend to convey a management's or sponsor's perspective.

The bottom line is, who cares HOW these guys get recognition....A PAT ON THE BACK IS A PAT ON THE BACK. Let's face it, I don't think any of these guys are getting rich doing something they love to do. I'm all for ANY type of recognition we can give these guys. Every single driver from every single class deserves a nod for embracing the competitive spirit and giving us, the fans, some good ol' American entertainment. I rather watch dirt racing than reruns of CSI any day of the week.....



p.s. .....and money has NOTHING to do with it!

[hallnracin]

?????mark?????

I guess they didn't like the 2 nominations for Mark Whitener either. Looks like it's geared towrd the support classes, as there are very few nominations for the upper classes.

I Guess leading points in 2 different divisons ["UDLMCS AND NDLMS"]dont warrant any nominations. Too bad he could not be at both races this weekend.

[ovalracer44]

I dont see how you can even compare drivers in supporting classes. In those classes "He who spends the most, WINS" at least in the upper classes they all spend a ton and not the same guy wins all the time. Driver of the month for supporting classes is a complete waste of time and they shouldnt even be nominated.

Heres a mouthpiece with no real knowledge of racing.

Of the supporting classes, what percentage of racers do you think have people who are on a payroll working on their cars?

Now of the upper tier classes, how many have people on the payroll working on their cars?

See how that works, most of the supporting divisions have drivers with heart, not billfolds. Sure some of us may spend a lot, but we at least are the ones wrenching on our cars not full time employees. By the way, go to a lot of the tracks and poll people what are the most fun classes to watch.
Todd Mccreary in his probe beating and banging with the hurricanes, or the promadonna super late model drivers who cry if they get a scratch on their car?

[Boneman]

Do you realize that the whole idea of the award is to recognize all types of racers? Some winners have been locals, other winners are well-known regional stars.

It is my understanding that different criteria have been used for each selection. One winner had to overcome a tragic loss to his family and race team, but still went out and won several races. Last night, they were looking for someone who had wins while running in different classes. Congratulations to Clint Foley on his selection.

I guess I should expect competitive people like racers to be impatient when they are not on the winning end. Sorry guys, but not everyone will win every month: this isn't pee wee soccer "where no one loses". I've nominated friends of mine, who have the results to merit recognition, for the last few months. They haven't won yet, but I'll keep trying. Maybe as the selection criteria change, some of the very worthy racers mentioned in this thread will get the nod.


On another note: Razpewton, excellent photo work! Your world must be an interesting place to visit.

[Edm]

Mouth piece? No knowledge of racing? Listen hear idiot, have you looked at the results from Nss lately? I was trying to leave names out but, Sportsman, the 111, has his act together, great guy, great racer but look at his equipment compared to everyone else, no body is even close. The 27 car is at least 10 years old and not sure about the 23. You put any half way experienced racer in that car and they will win every time. The 11 superstock, he has Fritts doing the set ups and the motor is "THE BEST THAT MONEY CAN BUY", the 71 mini stock, comes out with 2 cars every week and of course dominates.
Now Orlando is a little different but I am not real familiar with most of the racers and other then minis they have a lot of different winners. I cannot say anything for other tracks.
Knowledge of racing? Your right, I am not a salty dog who has been around for 20 years BUT it doesnt take a rocket scientist to notice these things.

[Edm]

By the way, Razpewton I have to agree with you on your comment
"The bottom line is, who cares HOW these guys get recognition" BUT others are just as deserving.

[Razpewton]

By the way, Razpewton I have to agree with you on your comment
"The bottom line is, who cares HOW these guys get recognition" BUT others are just as deserving.

I think they're all deserving....wish I could nominate every one of them. I heard one guy say the other day, that he worked 60 hour weeks. 30 for the family and 30 for the car. You can't help but respect these guys who put so much of themselves into something they love....something we all love....dirt racin'

Maybe we ought to start our own Driver Award. We could call it, "BECAUSE WE THINK YOU DESERVE IT" award. I could blast some beer mugs, print up some Certificates and see what kind of sponsors we could rustle up. I've done it befoore and we can do it again...

Might not be much, but it would be a handful of people saying, "HEY! I THINK YOU ROCK!"

A pat on the back is a pat on the back....

[ovalracer44]

Any time you have a competition where people vote on someone its a popularity contest, nuff said.

I took offense to being told that the division that I along with other people race in being called not worthy. Thats an attitude Im sick of seeing and hearing. EDM I have all of my stuff for sale because of people like you. Being told Im not as big of a part of the show because I run in a measly support division has gotten old.

For all you upper tier divisions, Its the support divisions that shore up your purses. Thank that pure stock next time you park by him for bringing 5 people when he is racing for 150 to win.

[icewater]

well said.

[Rick Anges]

The best races I have ever seen have come from the weekly divisions. To say any class is not worthy is a load of crap. Every Man Woman and Child who strap in are possible winners of this and I don't think it should all be about winning on the track either.

[ovalracer44]

I don't think it should all be about winning on the track either.

Exactly. What about the guy that shows up week in and week out, runs mid to end of the pack, yet when you need a wrench, or a power valve for the carb, he is the first one to loan you one.

Unfortunately a handful of racers ran that guy off years ago.

[Edm]

Oval racer and others, YOU ARE MISUNDERSTANDING ME. The lower classes are my favorite to watch. I own a sportsman. You all completely turned this around. I am saying that you cannot compare drivers in the lower divisions because of what some spend and other cant.
You put an average driver in a top of the line car against average to below average cars and he is going to be a super hero. DAMN PEOPLE READ THE POST BEFORE YOU PERSECUTE SOMEBODY, and if you dont understand someone please ask for a clearification.

NOW I will say it again, My vote goes to whoever spends the least amount of money and is still competitive week in and week out and I apologize if I offended anyone, that was not my intention.