World 100
Dream
Knoxville
North-South
Topless
Show-Me
DTWC
USA Natl's
Firecracker
PDC
Silver Dollar Natl's (53,000 to win)
Printable View
World 100
Dream
Knoxville
North-South
Topless
Show-Me
DTWC
USA Natl's
Firecracker
PDC
Silver Dollar Natl's (53,000 to win)
World 100
DTWC
Pittsburgher? World Finals?
FALS is my adopted home track, but I'm not convinced the PDC belongs on the list quite yet. It hasn't been on the national scene long enough. What is the "criteria" for a race to be declared a "crown jewel"? I think it's a combination of history, prestige, a big purse, and that little bit of "magic" that makes it a race you have to win in order to validate your career. The PDC is getting close, but I don't think it's quite there yet.
Prestige and or money makes it a true crown jewel imo.
World 100
Knoxville
DTWC
Dream 100
Everything else is regional crown jewel.
World
DTWC
Dream
Knoxville
USA Nats
IMO it's about races that have a bunch of History, money can be added to any race and put a name on it, when the same race happens for 10+ years then it can be considered a crown jewel.
Here is my list.....
World 100
DTWC
Hillbilly 100
The Dream
Knoxville Nationals
USA Nationals
National 100
Pittsburgher 100
Topless 100
North South 100
Show Me 100
And Silver Dollar is getting close
I might be missing some but this is pretty close.
Whatever happened to "The Scorcher" being a Lucas event?
History, Prestige, & Payout
- - - - -
Crown Jewels - The Original 4 - 1st Tier
World 100
DREAM
North/South 100
DTWC
Hillbilly 100
2nd tier
Show-Me 100
Topless 100
USA Nationals
3rd tier
Knoxville
Silver Dollar Nationals
Pittsburgher 100
PDC
Firecracker 100
Years ago you might have ben able to stick the Jackson 100 at Brownstown on this list not so sure any more.
If you noticed I put a bit of emphasis on the history of the race and how many years that particular race has been around.
I agree. That's a very accurate list. I would love to have seen the HAT Shootout keep growing. I think back in the late 90's early 2000's it was on a path to become a Crown Jewel type race. It was gaining history, and had an amazing payout. Here's the purse breakdown in 2000...That's crown jewel numbers.
Total Purse is $205,000 * Fast Qualifier - $3,000 * Isky Dash - $13,075 * Consolation Races - $7,500 ($600 to the first non-transfer spot, and $100 to start) * Mickey's Big Bonus - $25,000 Steve Francis is the only driver eligible for this award, having won the July HAT event at Dixie. If Francis wins the Shootout, he earns Mickey's Big Bonus. (Dale McDowell is the only driver who has ever won Mickey's Big Bonus, which was $20,000 last year. Dixie Speedway owner Mickey Swims increased it to $25,000 this year.)
* Shootout Race Purse: $156,425 * Winner's Share: $53,000 ($2,500 to start) Shootout Winners
World 100
Dream
Knoxville
North-South
Topless
Show-Me
DTWC
USA Nationals
Back in the day. Anybody and everybody had there sights set on 2 races. Eldora for the world 100, and Pennsboro. If the people that are attempting to revive pennsboro ever get it done. It will be like the second coming of woodstock. Finish it and they will come.
The World and the DTWC.
There is one grand daddy of them all......the one race every driver wants to win.....the career maker.....the race that brings the best to one track.....most prestigious......the original......of course it's the World 100.
Everybody knows the big ones. We've beat that horse to death, rejuvenated it, and beat it again over the years. A more fun conversation would be what "regional jewels" or whatever you want to call them. Being from the south, (Arkansas originally) ones that started out somewhat regional such as the Topless and Show-Me have now grown much larger in their 25 years or so of existence. Some other events more desired by regional guys down here are such as the National 100, Cotton Pickin, Gumbo Nats, maybe even the Pelican is getting there if it could ever get run on schedule.
I've been to the World Finals the last two years, that is a huge, fun EVENT.....but it's really just another race in my opinion. Not a Crown Jewel. Maybe if it paid 50K on Saturday and they ran 100 laps, but not the way it is now.