double file re-starts

Racers can not afford double file restarts. It may be more fun for the fans, but the result is only temporary. At a local level, or regional touring series, car counts will drop, due to lack of money to repair wrecked race cars. In the 80s and 90s the stands were packed, and they were all single file restarts. Nascar teams that have 20 million dollar budgets, maybe, the local short track guy, no way, even if he thinks he can. Just my two cents...Joe S

[Boneman]

As a driver, I think they are an excellent opportunity to pass. As a fan, I love the added traffic. "Can't afford them?" Sorry bud, we can't afford not to. We have to put on a show.

[RSB]

Maybe times are different now, but I never tore up a race car in 20 years because of double file restarts. Hmmm..

[scottgarrity07]

I think you have to assess it on a division-by-division and track-by-track basis. The FUPS Sportsman race at A-Dale a couple of weeks back was a hot mess with single file restarts. I can't imagine what it would have been like doing double-file restarts. On a small one-groove track it is less likely to work than on a bigger, faster track where things can string out a bit and create racing room. It sucks when you get guys chopping their way to the bottom creating big wrecks when everyone is bunched up and there is no place to go. I have no problem starting the race with double file in mind, but you have to abandon it when things get out of control. A better idea is the cone lane-choice idea. In that scenario only the guys who are confident they can make the outside work will go there and the "bottom feeders" will give up track position to stay down low. Now that puts on a show.

[MW68SS]

Fans love them. Car owners hate them. I agree it is something that should be done to help add to the show but I do believe Scott has the best idea and that is make it optional with the cone. Bowman Gray has been doing that for years and it works great on that little track with 700 hp modifieds.
I myself as a driver enjoyed double file restarts unless of course I was the leader. PGS used to and Eastbay does it now where the leader is by himmself and 2nd place picks high or low and the rest of the field lines up accordingly. If the caution comes out after 3 attempts to get the race going they will switch to a single file restart.

[Winger]

Well, I grew up and have seen double file restarts my whole life until I moved to Florida. Maybe I should clarify, they were double file until the half way point. I never heard a complaint about them. It's just the way it was done. I also like the "Delaware" style restarts where the leader is by himself and the others line up double file behind. Speaking of Nascar, I could never understand why they didn't have double file restarts before.
I like the cone idea but not for the reason you gave. I think it's neat to see who's willing to try the high lane. I've also noticed a lot of your leading cars will take the low lane and then the guys near the back will take the high lane. So they are taking a chance on gaining some track position and they're more apt to cut down to gain positions. That's where your wrecks will come from.

[OWM94]

Its all about respect for and from other drivers, me and Doug Miller (openwm53) ran side by side for 5 or six laps after starting beside each other on a restart at showtime, and never once touched each other.

[SSMotorsports14]

Its all about respect for and from other drivers, me and Doug Miller (openwm53) ran side by side for 5 or six laps after starting beside each other on a restart at showtime, and never once touched each other.

I agree you don't have to beat someone up if you are faster. Drive around them! Wreaks happen single file or double file if they just dive bomb it off in there or just plain run over someone. Double file promotes side by side racing and the fans like that much better than the wreck fest's that go on!

[racer4461]

double file restarts

I agree that the restarts are better for the fans, but at the first FUPS truck race me and my teammate were taken out on lap two, when the field stacked up cause the leaders decide to race agresssively on lap 2 with 48 to go and we got collected in the mess.

Its a double edged sword. We are fine with double file at full throttle, orlando, new symrna, bronson, basically 3/8 and bigger, but on the 1/4 mile bull rings, i cant afford to fix my racer from wrecks in this economy and run the entire series. Nature of the sport is $, if i had unlimited funds lets double file every race. As long as a I had a backup in the trailer.

[Frasson118]

Up north, the Promoter would be SHOT for even suggesting single file restarts. Double file, handicapped starting line-ups are the norm. Every track, every division does it.

What it comes down to is respect, or lack of it. Pulling a bonehead move on lap one, turn one, is what causes these wrecks. Not that it's the double file... it's the idiots that don't know HOW to run next to somebody that is the problem.

[SSMotorsports14]

I agree that the restarts are better for the fans, but at the first FUPS truck race me and my teammate were taken out on lap two, when the field stacked up cause the leaders decide to race agresssively on lap 2 with 48 to go and we got collected in the mess.

Its a double edged sword. We are fine with double file at full throttle, orlando, new symrna, bronson, basically 3/8 and bigger, but on the 1/4 mile bull rings, i cant afford to fix my racer from wrecks in this economy and run the entire series. Nature of the sport is $, if i had unlimited funds lets double file every race. As long as a I had a backup in the trailer.

Yes you are right as what happened on lap 2 of the truck race. That would have happened on any track. When you have a truck or car brake check the entire field coming off the corner that will be the result. Answer to that problem is don't brake check other drivers. It is not a product of double file re starts. That would have taken place with single file starts.

[Boneman]

You should have seen Joe Boyd and Joey Doiron in the PASS race at Auburndale. They restarted side-by-side many times, and always they ran each other super hard, but pretty darn clean. It made for an excellent race and they shook hands afterwards.

Big tracks or small, double file is the way to go. Any variation of that is fine: Delaware, cone or whatever. Just avoid the single file, parade mode.

[SSMotorsports14]

You should have seen Joe Boyd and Joey Doiron in the PASS race at Auburndale. They restarted side-by-side many times, and always they ran each other super hard, but pretty darn clean. It made for an excellent race and they shook hands afterwards.

Big tracks or small, double file is the way to go. Any variation of that is fine: Delaware, cone or whatever. Just avoid the single file, parade mode.

That's right when you run clean that is some of the best racing you will see!

[Don Nerone]

As a driver, I think they are an excellent opportunity to pass. As a fan, I love the added traffic. "Can't afford them?" Sorry bud, we can't afford not to. We have to put on a show.

Well when is the TBARA going to this rule so u can try it out..
The fans will love it
Or the other thing that makes sprint racing is to take the wing of and let the driver do his job..

I do think that doubble file starts are a great show ware the track is good enough that the car on the outside has a chance.
With the low car counts i dint think it wiuld make much differance either way
The car count wont get any better if u contune to do it on short pavment tracks.
There are lots of things we can do to make the fans happy without crashing $75,000 cars..
And yes handycaping is one of them.

Ok frig it is ur turn

Don Nerone

[Boneman]

Well when is the TBARA going to this rule so u can try it out..

That is how we do it in the sprint car races at Showtime. I've also done it for years in stock cars. I've tried it plenty and it works.