NSS World Series

[Boneman]

I've been both nights and have liked it. Here are a few observations, both positive and negative.

Positive: New Smyrna is a two groove track that has excellent side-by-side racing. Go back and read that again if you have to. It was not always the case, but the surface has evolved into a very competitive and interesting venue. There is much more passing than there was in the past.

Negative: The car count is ok, but down from recent years. We all remember fondly when the World Series would attract the best from across the country: New England, Mid-West, across the South, etc. The problem is that they tended to have lots of follow the leader races. If only we could have the fields of cars from back then running on the surface of right now.

Positive: I loved the last two Sunday afternoon races! I got home by 8 last night and had a good nights sleep before work on Monday. Not to mention it was going to be very cold if they raced late into the night.

Negative: The Voice of NSS made an appalling comment about the appearance of my chili dog. It created such a vivid mental image that I could barely finish it....or the second one I had.

Positive: They have not been tearing up dozens of cars like other years.

Negative: The wrecker crews are too slow. Get 'em some more help!

[Frasson118]

I think they need to try something different with the classes of cars they have running. As much as I love the Tour & SK Mods, the SK's just don't bring enough cars. Same with the Limited Late Models... a dying class.

I posted an idea on a Northern racing board, wondering if the SST Mods would have an interest in coming to NSS. The general idea I got, was that there seems to be a lot more of those cars than the SK's, but the budgets don't allow for nearly 2 weeks in Fl.

The SLM's have been a big disappointment (not just this year, but for the last several). Other than Jack Landis (who comes every year) and Lonnie Summerville, there are no non-regulars running anywhere near the front of the field. They've gotta find a way to bring in guys like Ben Rowe, Johanna Long, Scott Hantz, Bubba Pollard, Ross Kenseth, Augie Grill, etc...

The Crate LM's on the other hand, bring good racers from several areas of the country, and is usually a good mix of locals versus travelers. The Saturday night race was outstanding and very professional. I loved the PASS race, but this was just as good... just shorter.


On the positive side, NSS Officials have tried to come more into line with the rest of the SLM engine rules, which should help bring more out-of-towners. They have also said that the double file restarts are staying, but next year the leader will have his choice of which lane to start from.

Overall though, opening night was really pretty good. Probably going again tonight.

[bubba]

I couldnt agree more with what you guys are saying. I am very hopeful that the work Ricky Brooks is doing and the newfound willingness to work with others by NSS may pay dividends by the time the Gov Cup rolls around. I still think they ought to work out some sort of partnership (guaranteed start) with the Derby - even if they have to pay for it - to get people to show.

They need to just combine the Late Models and Crates into a single class - it would be a hell of a show. Stephen Nasse is the real deal, BTW - he was all over it the other night in the best show of the evening.

The problem for NSS is that the old Speedweeks was such a spectacle - it will always be tough to compare to in this current environment of SLM racing.

I do like the double file restarts and inversions - if it weren't for those, i wouldnt be back this speedweeks. Oh, they did make a change to the procedures after Choquette got suckered the other night, the leader can pick their lane now on the restarts and they will have this in play for the 100 lapper later in the week.

[Edm]

I've been both nights and have liked it. Here are a few observations, both positive and negative.

Positive: New Smyrna is a two groove track that has excellent side-by-side racing. Go back and read that again if you have to. It was not always the case, but the surface has evolved into a very competitive and interesting venue. There is much more passing than there was in the past.

Negative: The car count is ok, but down from recent years. We all remember fondly when the World Series would attract the best from across the country: New England, Mid-West, across the South, etc. The problem is that they tended to have lots of follow the leader races. If only we could have the fields of cars from back then running on the surface of right now.

Positive: I loved the last two Sunday afternoon races! I got home by 8 last night and had a good nights sleep before work on Monday. Not to mention it was going to be very cold if they raced late into the night.

Negative: The Voice of NSS made an appalling comment about the appearance of my chili dog. It created such a vivid mental image that I could barely finish it....or the second one I had.

Positive: They have not been tearing up dozens of cars like other years.

Negative: The wrecker crews are too slow. Get 'em some more help!

But you still managed to finish the hot dog.


Positive: Double file restarts, Crate lates proved it can work, Fla mods didn't.

Negative: Not the same atmosphere when you come anymore. Before it was almost a circus like atmosphere with lots of energy in the air, lots of food vendors and other activities. I think a lot of that is gone this year. I don't know how to describe it, I guess it doesn't seem exciting when you walk in through the grand stands like it has in years past.

[bubba]

...

Negative: Not the same atmosphere when you come anymore. Before it was almost a circus like atmosphere with lots of energy in the air, lots of food vendors and other activities. I think a lot of that is gone this year. I don't know how to describe it, I guess it doesn't seem exciting when you walk in through the grand stands like it has in years past.

That intangible is huge for me. It feels all too much like a regular show. I like their bar thing that they put in and maybe having some additional things around there would generate buzz, but the reailty is the legendary names and cars aren't there giving it hell for nine nights. I am wondering if the concept of nine nights is just too much for these teams to come down for anymore. Maybe like VSP have 4 mights of higher dollar shows focused more on specific divisions that spread out over 9 nights. I would hate to see the change, but maybe that is in order.

[Tim]

What is happening this week is to help recreate the days of old. The days that we remember happened because of a unified set of SLM rules across across the state of FL that matched the ASA and All Pro national touring series. The key to those fields were that big races that ran in FL were always run in the winter (under a unified rules) when the rest of the country was off. Gov Cup, Red Eye, Orange Blossom, ect. They all ran in the winter as was the 3 race FL Triple Crown.

It will not happen overnight, but if the FL promoters build on this first step taken by NSS, we will see the days of old HAVE THE CHANCE of coming back.

As always, just my humble opinion (agenda) as it was called, worn on my chest as always to help racing in FL.

[Frasson118]

The All-Pro (after being bought out by Nascar), and the ASA (bought by Steve Dale), started this whole mess in the first place. When All-Pro went to the perimeter chassied cars, it obsoleted everyones stuff they already had in the garage. ASA was even worse, by going with a different chassis, 6-cylinder engines, Goodrich tires... and then a bankruptcy to go along with it. All those cars became completely useless.

Those 2 groups did more to harm Late Model racing throughout the country than any other groups. And Don Nerone didn't exactly help the situation in Florida.

What I don't get, is why there isn't more participation from other SLM's around Florida? There are lots of cars in-state that don't bother coming anymore, weather it's Speedweeks, Governors Cup, the Red Eye, etc...

Do the cars that normally run Desoto & Citrus feel completely out-classed by coming there? I think they do... and that's a big problem. A Scott Grossenbacher or Herb Neumann Jr should stand a chance against Russell, Choquette and Rogers, but the truth is they don't.

I think NSS is on the right track, and it won't get fixed overnight, but I'm hopeful for the future!

[Tim]

That's right Jerry. They saw what was happening in the off season in FL and did the "divide and conqure" through rules. This destroyed all late model racing around the country. Still does....

I get it more so than most. To defend the people that fight for what you are fighting for, sometimes you must sacrafice yourself or your reputation to make things a win for everyone......

Oh, to answer your question about FL racers......maybe Ricky has something to do about it.....as a tech man, I would be taking notes on who doesn't show up at least one night.

[Jimmy McKinley]

*Some* effort to at least get fans is happening. Saw during the news this morning, a World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing TV ad - and not on the Brighthouse Sports channel, either! It was during WFTV's morning news that the ad ran; showcasing the TBARA Sprint cars running tonight (Monday).

I have said for years that the World Series ain't what it used to be. Guys won't travel all the way down here for what the normal features pay any more.

I think they should combine the SK's and the Tour-type Modifieds like they used to do; just score the highest-finishing SK as the SK feature winner and score points from there. That would cut down on at least one feature.

Don't run the Florida/IMCA Mods. Too many of the same type/style of divisions (semi-open-wheel cars).

Bring the SUPERMODIFIEDS down for maybe three nights (either the first three nights, or the last three). Add to the SPECTACLE of speed.

Combine the Crate and Limited Late Models, maybe even into the SLM's. How many Limited's are still running in the state, anyways? Again, too many "divisions" of the same type of car.

Super Late Models, Modifieds, maybe two nights of Mini Stocks, two nights of Super Stock, two nights of Sprint Cars, and then on the final two nights, just two BIG shows of the Modifieds (the Richie Evans race) along with a 50-lapper for the SLM's, then the opposite for the final night (100-lapper for the Super Late Models, 50 laps for the Modifieds).

[oneoff]

Check out Speed51

The first post on tonights Speed51.Com's Trackside scroll was from Lefthander Chassis stating go Ricky Brooks. Seems the Midwestern guys felt like this is what they need to come back to NSS Speedweeks. In that case I say go Ricky go. Thanks NSS for bringing Ricky to Speedweeks.

[straight up]

the real question is , once ricky is gone , will the weekly tech men be allowed to have the final say like ricky does ?

[tom77hmstd]

There would be more slms at NSS (I Would have loved to run speedweeks)
But when you put the pencil to it you cannot make it work.
Tires $5500
Car fuel $900
Pit pass $35 a night times crew (4) $1260
Parking slab up top $250
Park motor home $35 a night $315
(Instead of motels)
Plus travel to and from plus daily living expense.
I just can't make it work to even break even. And there is nothing in there
for engine maint. or even a cracked fender.
These races pay fairly well but you would finish 1-2 every race to come close

[Mike Bresnahan]

The "good ole days" your all speaking of were long before racing became so mainstream. Back when my dad raced supers and towed to New Symrna with a home built engine and a second hand Dickie Anderson car. Still have the article from a 50 lapper he won, yeah I said "50 LAPS", not 125 and not 200.... Others in the feild that day: Trickle, Anderson, Porter, Rogers, Gant, Bob Senecker, Mike Eddy and thats just off memory.

In my opinion, since way back when Jeff Gordon proved kids can race, fathers have poured their life savings into making their kids the "next coming". Include myself in that equation. In the process, racing went from just a hobby for many, to a high stakes business. No more just showing up to race. If you can't rent the track, be there on practice night, buy the best engine, tranny, shocks, and have some full time help on the pay roll, chances are you are racing for at best, 5th on back. And 5th doesnt pay the bills.

We racers are our own worse enemy. In my opinion promotors don't need to pay more, they need to help us make it cost less. Outlaw some of the big ticket items. Let us make our own body panels. Instead of having motor rules, maybe think of a way to institute a HP rule. A max number at the rear wheels, run an SB2 if you want, as long as it doesn't exeed xxx at the rear wheels. Then a guy could get creative on his own again.

Limit practice!!! Think of how much we'd all save on tires and fuel if we ran a dirt type schedule every Saturday. If my competition is practicing, I better be too, but if the tracks closed, we're all saving money. Do the fans really care who won practice that day?

Just my two cents, nothing I've never said on here before though.

[Jane]

Mike, that is one big difference I have seen between dirt and asphalt. Dirt gives you I think 5 laps of practice and that is it. If you don't make it, you don't get any. But they don't practice for hours like asphalt does. That did really surprise me when I first started going to Volusia. I don't know about Ocala's practice rules but I know at Volusia, those five laps are all you get before heat races.

[Tim]

Jane that's not even remotely fair....Dirt track conditions can change every three laps, aphalt has no where near the change. Practice does help on asphalt but it's a gamble that has the odds weighed very heavy towards the track on dirt. Dirt practice is more of a car shakedown than it is a setup practice. Don't get me wrong I love a good dirt race, but the difference will always be the same.