OSW last night?

[Frasson118]

How was the show? Almost went but had a last minute change of plan.

[Rick Anges]

KARNAC.com Front page news...

[Lizzard]

The pits were not full but fuller than the last race. My impressions are coming from a businessman. It looked hopeful.

I heard a radio advertisement on the way to the track at 5pm....sounded great....

The stands were not packed but had MORE people than the last "show" two weeks ago.

I drive a Strictly Stock....so consider my comments from my perspective.

Speakers need work... Both sides.

Bandeleros.....not a big car count but the kids need to get the experience.

Trucks...5..


We had, I think...some late models, super late models, modified, and some others. Plenty of these cars and all put on a good heat and race..

Now the real mens classes..lol....super stocks and my class strictly stock. In my opinion the best racing for the fans is the super stocks right now.....They tore some stuff up.. It was tight racing, close and EXCITING. The Funk guy blew up right in front of me...FLAMES, oil, spin..... The track took too long to clean up that mess. Cuddy's cars...nice looking and Orange were both tore up....

My class....well, the 4cyl on pole did ok for a while. My full size Monte (Big Red #1) is underpowered but aren't we all. Shane S......drove with a broken friggin arm and won..... We went 25 laps sans (french for without) a caution.

After we ran...some more fast cars raced. Not sure what class but something expensive and another good show.

Lizzard

[Boneman]

I liked it! Most fans don't realize the very good racing they are missing at Orlando.

So I go there a little late and missed the heats, the bandos (damn!) and most of the mini stock feature. Best race of the night? The Super Stock feature. It was everything you would hope for: dense traffic, plenty of bumper and a side by side duel for the win that was decided by inches at the line.

Trucks don't usually catch my attention, but on this night, the last lap or so was nothing short of thrilling with the wild finish the leaders put on.

Strictly stocks were good: I love to see the 4 and 6 cylinder cars mixing it up with the antique Monte Carlos. Tonight, the track collected donations and gave it to a finisher selected by a secret draw. Wouldn't it be funny if they announced before the race that the winner gets a trophy but that 4'th place gets the money? I bet several cars would go wild to get the cash and would put on a bizarre finish!

The had a good field of SLM (14?) and 8 or 9 OWM.

Compliment: I really like moving the winning pictures to the pits, and having the drivers carry the checkered flag instead. It saves lots of time and looks pretty cool too.

Suggestion: get the speakers settled down in the stands. You have a good announcer, but it is hard to hear Dave most of the time.

[Lizzard]

I think Wes is open to ideas like driving around with the flag...and others.

It is getting better each Friday.

I will pay $5 off the entry fee of each NSS Strictly Stock (new to OSW including the 3 red and black car) that comes down to race at OSW the next race......

Eddie Moran

[kendo]

Only 34 cars in 5 classes at NSS tonight,10 of those being strictly stocks.A pathetic display of racing for such a nice facility...Most of the names running friday at OSW were regulars at NSS last year,but no shows tonight at NSS...The sad part about it is that the crowd was decent.

Looks like NSS shot itself in the foot taking on the NASCAR sanction.My guess is that drivers simply are not willing to pay the fee and have headed elsewhere.

Have not been to OSW but I am now going to make plans to check it out!

[Boneman]

Is a little early to write off NASCAR at New Smyrna. Although things have not improved yet regarding car count, they are also no worse. Orlando has the same NASCAR fees, and their car count is up.

I expected bigger results, but I'm also willing to give it more time.

[ocalasp76]

Raced first time at NSS this year last night. Don't see the big deal difference between the FASCAR and now NASCAR license requirement. Both come with a $5 off pitt passes, but a KEWL sticker for the car.. lol
Only 6 MODs last night and a good clean race. Put it back on the trailer with no damage. Got to figure out why the car was great in practice and JUNK in the feature.
-JIM-

[Don Nerone]

Is a little early to write off NASCAR at New Smyrna. Although things have not improved yet regarding car count, they are also no worse. Orlando has the same NASCAR fees, and their car count is up.

I expected bigger results, but I'm also willing to give it more time.

Car counts in the 30s how can it get any worse.How will time fix this??
I dont think that NASCAR had anythong to do with it.
If anything its a good thing to promote for fans and cars but to just go NASCAR and not scream it from every roof top is just throwing money away.FASCAR would do the same thing....
Orlando with a promoter and VCS open agin NSS can not just mosey along anymore..

Don62

[Boneman]

Car counts in the 30s how can it get any worse

It could be less than 20, like when you ran Columia.

NASCAR had anythong to do with it

Hmm.. maybe you are on to something.....hot women and NASCAR thongs would liven up the show.

NSS can not just mosey along anymore

All kidding aside, you are right about this. I expected NASCAR to attract regional competitors who now have a chance to contend for a national championship, and to add prestige, money and attention to the high profile races. Maybe that will work out, but meanwhile where is the vision for the local classes and the weekly show? What is being done to get the weekend warriors back in the game and re-build the support divisions?

[tccaz]

I hate to say it but I think local short track racing is on a serious downslide all over the country. Has anyone else happened to look at the results on speednet lately I have checked the results on tracks that I have heard of all over the country and car counts are similar everywhere usually not more than 10 to 15 cars in the premier classes (SLM, Mods etc.). Lower cost classes strictly stock etc. etc. have more cars generally which I hate to admit has to do with the economy. But I think the problem which I have stated before is there are no classes to interest the younger car crowd, imports, front wheel drive etc. and I feel if tracks continue to ignore this they are only signing their own death warrant and we all lose!!!!!! I hope somebody that can change this eventually listens. Sorry for the rant.



Tom

[kendo]

I hate to say it but I think local short track racing is on a serious downslide all over the country


Tom

It is for asphalt racing in Florida that's for sure,allthough Showtime seems to hold their own...Dirt tracks seem to be doing better with much larger car counts.

[fred23]

I have to say that last night at NSS was as bad as I could have ever imagined for NSS......I will admit that I haven't been there much either, although my dad races whenever the emods run and even ran with the big mods last night.....but there were basically 6 cars per class .....5 pro lates .....I have seen better practices sessions than that race, not one pass and rode in a line.....the mod race was decent for 10-12 laps with symons and tucker but no one around them......the truck race had 3 trucks after 3 got destroyed in turn 3 of the first lap.....the super stock race actually resembled a race and actually had a little excitement in the pits afterward.....7 cars, no cautions and somehow there is almost a fight.......the strictly race actually had some racing upfront until the two leaders got together, not sure what happened I didn't see it
The track is too big for 5 and 6 car races......I am not sure what the answers are, I just really think that most guys can't afford to race all year or at all.

Someone mentioned that they over 100 cars in Maine last week......maybe because they haven't raced in 5 or 6 months in Maine.......

Forgot to add, on the note of the new generation......during the autograph session I looked at all the people in the stands.......I would honestly have to say that over 80% were 60yrs old or older

[zerofor]

Nascar is more the problem

Than it is the solution.For one thing they pay into a point fund that helps who?The select few who have the money and help already to race each week.Their affiliation means that a track has to pull money from the purse each week to pay out 2 premier divisions,both late models and modifieds.Can the promoters afford this with the generally pathetic crowds that show up at any weekly local track?Not only no but hell no.BOTH divisions end up running to win less than they would have won 40 years ago at a non NASCAR sanctioned track.Who does this really benefit but NASCAR, who is trying to put a stranglehold on pavement racing in the U.S. AND beyond.Does NASCAR do anything to help promote the local short track racing going on in this country?VERY DAMN LITTLE !!!!! Went to the Battle at the beach in february,and this race was like NASCAR'S little secret.Hardly no promotion for it in the entire year leading up to it.And the crowd reflected it.You could have randomly fired a shotgun into the stands and never hit anything.PATHETIC CROWD !!!! (And there is still a couple things about that event I don't understand I guess I should e-mail Joey Chitwood) Now NASCAR is trying to infiltrate local dirt track racing by staging a dirt track race for the trucks at Eldora this summer.Nascar ran USAC'S stock car division into non-existance back in the 70's and almost did the same to ARCA and IMCA in the 80's and won't be happy until they have taken over any track operating in north america.

[8modified]

It is for asphalt racing in Florida that's for sure,allthough Showtime seems to hold their own...Dirt tracks seem to be doing better with much larger car counts.

Showtime had 80 cars, stands and parking lot 75% full, paid 300 for fifth place in OWM with 11 cars and this is we're my car and money is going to race. I bet that Simmons got 250 to win last night at NSS. I will go we're the payouts are reasonable and run the F53 slick.