Big time super drivers in crates

[dirt crow]

Look. I’m not saying I’m right or wrong on the following. Just my personal opinion. But I think if you’ve won a 10k super event, you shouldn’t be allowed to race in crate races. I’m probably gonna be hammered here but that’s just how I see it. Let the small time crate late model guys have there big races without the super drivers.

[golddirt]

That's cherry picking

[TheJet-09]

There was a time when I probably would have agreed with you, but I now think it's just part of the game. The old Northern All-Stars series was geared towards the "little guy" as most shows paid around $2K to win, but when the Bob Pierce's and Don O'Neals showed up on a routine basis and often took that money, the original intent of the series went away.

With that same logic, someone like Jason Feger shouldn't be allowed to run a weekly show at tracks like Farmer City, but the fact is drivers of his notoriety bring fans and more exposure to any event they are at. And in the end, make any event better than it might have been, even for the racers. Knowing I'm gonna get lapped by a driver as such, there's still something to be learned from them by someone like me. Who better to gauge your performance against than someone like Feger or Unzicker or Weaver?

I get what you are saying, and I'm not hammering you, but if someone is a good driver, they're a good driver regardless of what class they're driving in. Any promoter, and racers alike, should welcome the best of the best to any event.

[mike10]

Another example of money taking over the sport. That 10,000 went to a team with an unlimited budget versus a team that could have possibly really used the money for there program here at the end of the year.

[Bob Hubbard]

I just read a post on facebook about letting adj shocks in crates at florence speedway ..... The track owners are the blame for some of this .... Open shocks invite the Big teams to run crates ..... Limited should have a shock claiim rule to keep this in check ....

[hipower17]

i can agree with bob on his comment. i wonder what type tech they do on engines at the big money shows?

[dirtcrazy4u]

Money chases money. If doesn't matter what the purse is. Should JD be in a crate car ? NO. Is JD going to turn down the extra pay check. I doubt it. It's never going to stop, guys want to race.

[huskerdirt]

There was a time when I probably would have agreed with you, but I now think it's just part of the game. The old Northern All-Stars series was geared towards the "little guy" as most shows paid around $2K to win, but when the Bob Pierce's and Don O'Neals showed up on a routine basis and often took that money, the original intent of the series went away.

With that same logic, someone like Jason Feger shouldn't be allowed to run a weekly show at tracks like Farmer City, but the fact is drivers of his notoriety bring fans and more exposure to any event they are at. And in the end, make any event better than it might have been, even for the racers. Knowing I'm gonna get lapped by a driver as such, there's still something to be learned from them by someone like me. Who better to gauge your performance against than someone like Feger or Unzicker or Weaver?

I get what you are saying, and I'm not hammering you, but if someone is a good driver, they're a good driver regardless of what class they're driving in. Any promoter, and racers alike, should welcome the best of the best to any event.

Well said.

If people don’t want guys like Lanigan showing up for a 10k to win crate show. Then stop making them 10k to win or more. Every racer has a right to race how she/he pleases. The whole “a super driver can’t race a crate” argument is socialism at its best. To be honest, the only ones complaining are fans, who more than likely didn’t even go to the event.

[dirty bert]

The NeSmith deal was a great idea when Vaughan first started it ,I forget first name but you had your working man chasing it they get of work run home hook up the pickup an hurry to the track , the guy that one the first championship had a trailer built out of a uhaul box an had to use vacation time to get to some tracks to far , now walk through the pits an look around.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

When they initially started having big NeSmith races, you were not eligible unless you raced so many shows. This was to keep the ringers out. But, big names sell more tickets. I see nothing wrong with being exclusionary, but the economics have to work. I mean, going the other way is exclusionary. If a local goes to a Lucas show, he is only racing for maybe half the number of spots on the starting grid. He also is subject to more aggressive body tech.

[nuff said]

Chelsey Dixon won the 20k crate race at Swainsboro last night.I'm sure he didn't care was behind him.JD,Overton and Bronson were the biggest names I noticed.

[Josh Bayko]

It used to bother me, but it doesn’t matter to me anymore. It’s their money, they can do what they want with it.

[Chris Thomason]

I read where someone said he was there to sell cars. I really don't buy into that . It was a no win if that was the reason for being there. Had he by chance gotten beat by some regional guy, that theory would of backfired. He wins and most feel, well he should have won against a bunch of inferior teams.

If you are referring to when I said that on the press release thread, I dont know that he was selling cars I just hate the cherry pickin moniker.

My opinion on the whole matter is it only helps car count. Im sure guys like Jesse Lowe, Corey Hedgec0ck, or Chase Edge dont care who shows up. If you're gonna be the man you gotta beat the man. If Lanigan wanted to go race after his primary ride season is over then why not crates? Cheaper in the engine department, and someone said a couple weeks ago that the old #29 was still in the shop. Nobody fussing when they run mods.

[zyoung25]

I would bet there were guys out there that had just as much money in their equipment as Lanigan does. He was just that much better than them.

[TerryM]

Without those big names, the crowds would be maybe half the size they are now. Swainsboro is the worst dirt track I've ever been to, but the bleachers were full last night. And it wasn't because the local crate guys were there.

[Doc88D]

If you use the "Keep em out" theory that some of you are advocating. Then what does that do for former Dirt Track World Champion Ronnie Johnson? He finished second from deep in the field. He is also a multi time Nesmith champ. I don't see how you could tell one to race and one not to. Its racing. You bring your best and hope to beet the rest that show up. There are no rules about the size of the hauler the team uses...

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

If you use the "Keep em out" theory that some of you are advocating. Then what does that do for former Dirt Track World Champion Ronnie Johnson? He finished second from deep in the field. He is also a multi time Nesmith champ. I don't see how you could tell one to race and one not to. Its racing. You bring your best and hope to beet the rest that show up. There are no rules about the size of the hauler the team uses...

Simple. Ronnie races on that level now.

[RW57]

I agree thats what Ronnie Johnson does now. No Lucas World of Outlaws World 100 s etc he makes his living that way plus he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet unlike Lanigan who is a total a-hole the fans might be the one complaining but remember they pay the purses by attending and if they don't like it they ain't paying their money to see it.

[King1]

I dont see what the big deal is. The keep em out theory is just plain dumb. When youre paying professional level money expect professional level people to show up. But people are people no matter where you go. Every track has the fan that hates seeing the pros take the money, they all have the fan that hates seeing the locals succeed against the pros. Ive gotten my @$$ handed to me everytime a pro comes to my track. You can do one of two things, dont go lookin for trouble and you wont find it, or take your beating, get some teeth knocked out, go over notes, game film, and get better for next time.

[NormP]

To paraphrase some of you complaining about it:

"Hey drivers, glad you all showed up on time for the drivers' meeting. Just thought I'd let you know Lanigan, Bloomquist and Davenport wanted to race tonight but we wouldn't let them because they're great drivers and you're not.

You're welcome. Be safe out there tonight boys."

That would go over like a turd in a punch bowl.