sprint cars at Sunshine

[Boneman]

Actually it has been 4 races, but who is counting? There is no shortage of factual errors on this thread anyway.

[Groundpounder]

Actually it has been 4 races, but who is counting? There is no shortage of factual errors on this thread anyway.

Hey, I did use question marks indicating that I might be SLIGHTLY wrong!

[Matt Albee]

Actually it has been 4 races, but who is counting? There is no shortage of factual errors on this thread anyway.

And no shortage of facts as well.

[OldSchool+]

warning: fact free content ahead...

It appears to be a CART/Indy kind of deal.

Yoho offered a sizable purse, and the cars did not come because it was not TBARA blessed.

I attended two of those shows, and the competition was sub par to the mini-junkers that run there.

I am not motivated to return for a sprint car show there until I read of a stronger car count. Moot point now, it would seem.

I respect Robert for running his own show, as opposed to courting a series. Equally, if they figure they don't need Showtime, they didn't have to show up.

And they didn't, and the door now appears to be closed. Everybody's...happy?

For my two cents worth, I would rather watch a good field of modifieds over a good field of sprint cars anyway.

Perhaps a Showtime sprint car class per se with modified style motors and tires--and a wing?

[Matt Albee]

I see that Desoto is allowing either American or Hoosier tires for the June 14th sprint car show. That's an example of a track that wants to put on a show for the fans and not worry about making everyone purchase the track tire.

[katlizy]

I see that Desoto is allowing either American or Hoosier tires for the June 14th sprint car show. That's an example of a track that wants to put on a show for the fans and not worry about making everyone purchase the track tire.

Yup.. I truley wished I lived closer.. I would be there every week.

[Boneman]

Matt, you are trying, but just remember this. "Albee" really stands for "Always Let Boneman Explain Everything".

[Denman]

don't really understand the bleakness ???

I have attended seven sprint car shows this year. 3 non-wing at Citrus & 4 TBARA races at various tracks. The non-wing car count at Citrus has been 26,21 & 20. The TBARA has been 14,16,13 & 21. Now I don't know if there were extra sprints in the pits to raise those totals but those were the entries I saw race. 31 different cars entering the Citrus events and 32 different cars entering the TBARA races. 63 different entries among 45 teams and combos. Only two drivers competed in all seven races, Shane Butler in the #18 and Dave Retzlaff in the #92. The rosters are growing in both series and to me, it seems like asphalt Sprint car racing is once again growing. Saw some really great racing at all locations and am looking forward to this Sat at Citrus. (if it's not an ez rainout) To me it seems this thread is about the puzzle of Showtime and why super low Sprint car counts at that track in particular. Now a question, Is the upcoming Sprint car show at DeSoto a non-wing or wing event ?

[katlizy]

I have attended seven sprint car shows this year. 3 non-wing at Citrus & 4 TBARA races at various tracks. The non-wing car count at Citrus has been 26,21 & 20. The TBARA has been 14,16,13 & 21. Now I don't know if there were extra sprints in the pits to raise those totals but those were the entries I saw race. 31 different cars entering the Citrus events and 32 different cars entering the TBARA races. 63 different entries among 45 teams and combos. Only two drivers competed in all seven races, Shane Butler in the #18 and Dave Retzlaff in the #92. The rosters are growing in both series and to me, it seems like asphalt Sprint car racing is once again growing. Saw some really great racing at all locations and am looking forward to this Sat at Citrus. (if it's not an ez rainout) To me it seems this thread is about the puzzle of Showtime and why super low Sprint car counts at that track in particular. Now a question, Is the upcoming Sprint car show at DeSoto a non-wing or wing event ?

Non-wing. See you there!!

[owm61]

I see that Desoto is allowing either American or Hoosier tires for the June 14th sprint car show. That's an example of a track that wants to put on a show for the fans and not worry about making everyone purchase the track tire.

Matt I said that at the beginning open up the tire rule,who cares if they don't buy yur right rear, you will get it back with the 4 or 5 or 6 that will come threw the back gate with the car entry,All tho I'm not much of a gambler I would be willing to bet whatever car that wins, hopefully it's the 5 car lol, that they will be on a hoosier tire, any takers, Good luck to desota and there first non wing deal, I hope it's a great sucess

[Frasson118]

All of this 'division' in Sprint Car racing helps NOBODY.

Seems to me that 90% of the Sprint car world is on the same page

Fla is that exception.

Why is it that the other 90% can do it but Fla can't ?

[Lurkin]

It wasn't that many years ago that there were huge fields in TBARA and they did pack the house. I know even when I go to Must See, or any other Sprint Club including dirt shows the stands just aren't packed like they were 10 years ago. I don't know if the show has fallen off or if the older fans aren't coming anymore or what but I hope they get it figured out.

[ScottPrentice]

@Lurkin- I remember when the TBARA used to come up to Columbia and run, you did not want to miss that!
Some of the best racing I've ever seen with full fields and a packed grandstand.
I too wonder what has happened to all the cars and fans.

@Denman- not trying to be bleak but I don't consider the 15-20 cars that are showing up to be a "full field".
A couple always break and DNS and 2-3 really aren't competitive- so what you really get is about a dozen cars racing. It's hard for me to justify driving 3-4+ hours one way for that.
A full field to me is 24 well prepared competitive cars.
just my .02 cents worth...

[rdv69]

Scott all classes have cars that have issues even the best prepared car does and all classes have car that are not competitive. Should they stay home and hurt car count more. I understand not wanting to drive 3+ hrs to watch but that is your call. I am at the track 3 weeks out of the month so I won't drive that distance to watch myself. But really the sprints aren't any different than any other race car or class they are all having issues.
Ric Voisey #69 sprint

[Denman]

The point I was trying to make is that the Sprints seem to be making a comeback. The fields I have seen have put on very good shows. In the past I have also seen fields that seem to dissolve as the race goes on. The races this year have been very competitive. The 3 non-wing events at Citrus had three different winners with some three wide racing, plenty of passing and action. The TBARA had a couple of great battles as well. Many are confusing the TBARA with the Showtime series and that was another point I was trying to clear up. Although Showtime has some TBARA drivers, and to the best of my knowledge the shows were not TBARA sanctioned. Yes, I also will not drive 3-4 hours for a meager show, but from what I see, all these groups are trying to rejuvenate a great form of racing. You have to have fifteen cars before you have twenty and so on. I also followed TBARA in the good ole days at Ocala,(asphalt) Citrus, Punta, DeSoto, NSS, OSW. I am sorry I didn't get to see them at Columbia, (rained out the night I did travel there) Many 26-32 car fields and one or two high 30's), so I know what the series can do. Will it ever reach that point again is anyone's guess. I thank all the drivers, owners, track operators and fans who are trying to make this work. Actually in today's market what would make for a full field ? Looks like maybe 18-24. ?