Showtime Speedway Article and Race Video - Restart Controversy

[Richard Golardi]

Article - "Showtime Speedway – Restart Cone or Restart Zone?"

http://www.hoseheads.com/richard.html


Video - "Showtime Speedway Winged Sprints, Feature Race, 5-30-2015"


https://youtu.be/-iz1eYGWrCM

Who's right? You decide ...

[50racer]

Yoho did the same thing to the #8 Modified a couple of weeks ago, everyone that I was sitting with all could not believe it was real close a judgement call maybe 5 foot lead, need to have one warning.

I understand the rule, there have been certain drivers that jump every start every time but DJ is not one of them. There was 3 restarts prior to this one and they all looked good.

[OldSchool+]

From the article: "A single cone at the exit of the fourth turn, where Yoho stood, marked the spot where drivers were to begin accelerating on all starts, or risk the penalty of being sent to the rear of the pack immediately."

Looked like they hit it before the cone to me. Yoho was right there looking perpendicularly across the track with the precision-timing-eyeball, clearly that is the way he saw it... But, we can't see the flagman. Was the green dropped prior to Steele firing?

Regardless, the call was made and executed promptly. I would say I agree with about 50% of the calls at Showtime, actually not bad as far as calls go, IMO.

One thing for fairly certain, I bet they wait until the cone tomorrow night.

[scottgarrity07]

He clearly jumped before the cone. That being said, with such a precise spot for executing a restart a one-shot mulligan would be the fair thing to do. However, I have not seen such a strict restart policy at any track anywhere for as long as I have been watching racing. Usually the starter gives the initial green and then there are 2 lines in between 3 and 4 where the leader decides when to fire. If you don't fire by the second line the flagman waves the green and it's on. I have never been a fan of sending a guy to the rear (and essentially ruining his expensive night) on the first failed restart. Too many times the outside guy spins his tire or has vapor lock and the leader looks like he jumps. Sometimes the leader is just really good at restarts (think Ron Hornaday) and makes the outside guy look like he needs no-doz. One mulligan, then if he jumps again it's to the rear. It's been a while since I been to Showtime. Do they do this for all the classes. If so, I'm not a fan of this procedure. It's akin to handing down the death penalty for jay walking.

[OldSchool+]

Conversely speaking (surprise, eh?), I believe I have seen more features, particularly late model features, where the fast guy fires first from the pole, the starter lets it go, and off he goes into the sunset to the checker.

That said, I agree, Scott, you should be given one shot at a restart at least. Do we know if that was the first offense for David Steele?

[50racer]

Dave really jumped that start, he did try to slow it down he knew he did it. It was in both calls no second chance, Paint a line on the track so the outside driver can look for his front wheels to cross it before firing.

I have a question what if the flagman waves the green and the spotter is telling the driver to go when they have not got the cone yet how do you call that one

[Rick Day]

starting procedures

The starting procedure is used for ALL classes at Showtime Speedway. You fire at the cone not before. It happened twice that night, one was David and once was a Mini Stock. Its not like It was a new rule that night, it also states you must maintain Pacetruck speed till you get to the starting point.
It also got our current Super Late Model points leader at the last race for firing too soon.
So the only controversy is once again brought on by media personnel.
You talk about two cones for a wider zone, it has been tried and all they do if fire before that cone also. They talk about a line on the track, there is actually a line on the track (will admit, it is kinda light because of all the track prep that is put down to create the great second grove Showtime has) and there is also a red line painted on the outside wall.
So relatively speaking the track has took every step available to ensure proper starts so driver aren't knocking the radiators and front ends off there cars, or getting an unfair starting advantage over the competition. We all know drivers try and get every ounce of an advantage they can (and I don't blame them) but that is not one of them.

I had basically the same starting procedure 14 years ago when I owned the S.A.R.A. series, its used in Texas also at two track I worked out there, so this procedure is not unheard of.

[scottgarrity07]

Fair enough. It's not unheard of, just very unusual. Two questions, Rick. Why can't Showtime officials manage their drivers (as all the other tracks can) and use the common two line system (if they jump before the first line you can put them to the rear also). And with such a strict system (you yourself admit the line on the track is difficult to see) why not give one "mulligan" before you put a guy to the rear? Giving the same penalty for jumping the start as you give for spinning a guy out is just too harsh.

[OldSchool+]

Reasonable questions. Let me not put words in the official's mouths, but am pretty sure this is close:

"Why can't Showtime officials manage their drivers (as all the other tracks can) and use the common two line system (if they jump before the first line you can put them to the rear also)."
Because they are Showtime, with their own rules, and what other tracks are doing is a non starter (pun intended).

"And with such a strict system (you yourself admit the line on the track is difficult to see) why not give one "mulligan" before you put a guy to the rear?" As mentioned, I would be cool with that, but clearly they aren't. The "mulligan" would slow down the show, and, the drivers are all big boys, the cone is right there, as is Robert. It's the rule, follow it or pay the consequences. Just like weight in post race tech. You is legal, or you ain't.

Anyone that was unclear should be tightened up after this thread.

[scottgarrity07]

"And with such a strict system (you yourself admit the line on the track is difficult to see) why not give one "mulligan" before you put a guy to the rear?" As mentioned, I would be cool with that, but clearly they aren't. The "mulligan" would slow down the show

Explain how throwing the yellow for the jump, taking the time to put the guy to the rear and restarting the race takes less time than keeping the lineup the same and going green the next time by????

[jacko241]

Sorry, this is a bit off topic, but I didn't want to start a whole thread. What tire do the modifieds run at Showtime?

[OldSchool+]

Good point.

Clearly, it doesn't. But the logic would go as follows--we are not jacking with restarts all night every night. Penalize one of them, and the rest of the inmates will behave. Therefore, net-net, it will save time in the long run.

Ya pays yer money and ya picks yer poison. Clearly the starting system may be aversive and it is your (and everyone else's) prerogative to race there or not. But the upsides to Showtime are:

a) um, they are in fact racing.
b) lots of competition and good sized crowds = "glory", something racers indicate is a positive thing.
c) the prize money will be paid, no questions, and
d) the guy next to you is not firing before the cone

[OldSchool+]

Joe, am pretty sure it is the F53.

If I get a chance, since they are not an advantage, I will try to check to see if the 750s are "legal" as well.

[openwm53]

Fair enough. It's not unheard of, just very unusual. Two questions, Rick. Why can't Showtime officials manage their drivers (as all the other tracks can) and use the common two line system (if they jump before the first line you can put them to the rear also). And with such a strict system (you yourself admit the line on the track is difficult to see) why not give one "mulligan" before you put a guy to the rear? Giving the same penalty for jumping the start as you give for spinning a guy out is just too harsh.

Scott,

I agree its harsh. They should throw a yellow and give one chance. I also think it should be the flagman making the call........But controlling his drivers...really...come on ...Other tracks don't control crap.......Yoho is all over them for stupid crap and publically posting fines and suspensions. I have seen some really crappy starts stay green in my years. And at all the local tracks

[openwm53]

Yes

Sorry, this is a bit off topic, but I didn't want to start a whole thread. What tire do the modifieds run at Showtime?

The f-53 slick.....its a good tire. Are you gonna race there soon ?