Doug Bland DoD

[Punisher88]

I cant believe no one has started a discussion on the Rigsby Report pod cast with him. I'd never heard of the guy because it was before my time as a DLM fan/driver. But it was eye opening. The happenings of 2004 and what all he went through was entertaining. Of course it was only one side of the story, but to hear about all of the underhanded deals Hoosier put together to take him down was crazy.

[Taboo62]

I guess the dirt deep state got him, LOL. Personally I'm not a fan of tire rules, it always leads to cheating and infringes on the free market. I feel the same way about crate ONLY classes, its essentially, a communistic approach to racing, "We're ALL the same, except for those with connections..." I think Doug was well-intentioned, but like today's SJW's, ignorant of how the world works and what the TRUE facts. JMO

[chupp n bloomer fan]

I guess the dirt deep state got him, LOL. Personally I'm not a fan of tire rules, it always leads to cheating and infringes on the free market. I feel the same way about crate ONLY classes, its essentially, a communistic approach to racing, "We're ALL the same, except for those with connections..." I think Doug was well-intentioned, but like today's SJW's, ignorant of how the world works and what the TRUE facts. JMO

Doug got hosed because he took on the purple mafia. Just as the purple mafia got hosed taking on Goodyear in NASCAR.

[Taboo62]

Doug got hosed because he took on the purple mafia. Just as the purple mafia got hosed taking on Goodyear in NASCAR.

T!t for Tat I suppose.

[Big Daddy 37]

I cant believe no one has started a discussion on the Rigsby Report pod cast with him. I'd never heard of the guy because it was before my time as a DLM fan/driver. But it was eye opening. The happenings of 2004 and what all he went through was entertaining. Of course it was only one side of the story, but to hear about all of the underhanded deals Hoosier put together to take him down was crazy.

Fantastic interview, listening to 2 of the largest impact people of Dirt Late Model racing, over the last 15ish years.

[klemmabyna]

it was certainly an interesting time. 90+ cars for the 1st Knoxville nationals. lots of "advertised" incentives for the racers. someone on 4m set me straight about what was actually paid out. specifically a hummer for earl pearson jr. hindsight: taking on Hoosier was not a good idea. and the purple mafia wasn't about to lose. no matter what it may have cost in the short term.

JMO

[ShawnStreet]

I had forgotten about the Hummer. I'm thinking Boundless ended up paying everyone what they were supposed to get. Not sure about the Hummer though. That first Knoxville race was cool because he had that Pacific Northwest tour that sent drivers. It was pretty cool seeing those guys race against "our" guys. If I'm remembering correctly, didn't Hoosier give O'Neal a sweetheart deal to drop off the tour halfway through? Personally, I enjoyed Bland's tour in 2004. It offered young guys an opportunity to really step into the spotlight -- Clanton, Birky, Carrier -- while giving veterans another shot at glory -- D. Johnson, Mason, etc. Their race at Wythe was a classic.

[HoosierDirtFan]

That was one heck of an interview. Hoosier and their underhanded tactics.

[Switchback29A1]

Awesome interview!

[EvelB7]

First Extreme race at Carolina, Goodyear gave every competitor two tires (then drew names to give away more). Tires were priced the same for everyone (quality was not good though, I remember the sizing was all over the place). Leveled the playing field and I really think it would have taken dirt racing to the next level much faster if they had been able to keep it going. And the race at Wythe was one of the best races I can remember.

[super_latemodel_fan]

First Extreme race at Carolina, Goodyear gave every competitor two tires (then drew names to give away more). Tires were priced the same for everyone (quality was not good though, I remember the sizing was all over the place). Leveled the playing field and I really think it would have taken dirt racing to the next level much faster if they had been able to keep it going. And the race at Wythe was one of the best races I can remember.

If I'm not mistaken, They set a new track record at Carolina that night on them GoodYears ?

[kazual]

Have always thought the dirt racing world would have been much better off with another tire company involved long term, especially one with the heritage of Goodyear. Recall the emotions running very strong both from race teams and from fans, you’d have thought someone’s mother had been disrespected.

[Josh Bayko]

What is now American Racer has been invovled in dirt racing long term, and they even started the tire rule stuff.

Goodyear dirt tires have always been hot garbage.

[Barbecueboy]

Hoosier uses underhanded tactics?

[Josh Bayko]

Hoosier uses underhanded tactics?

I don't know that trying to maximize their potential market is underhanded by definition. It's not even unethical. It's just how capitalism works.

[ShawnStreet]

Wasn't 2004 also the year the crate revolution really got going?

[HIGH ROLLER]

Does firestone still make asphalt racing tires?

[zyoung25]

Does firestone still make asphalt racing tires?

Indy cars still run firestone tires.

[JM15]

What is now American Racer has been invovled in dirt racing long term, and they even started the tire rule stuff. Goodyear dirt tires have always been hot garbage.

I remember the Goodyear tires well. EAMS went to them at the same time. They were garbage. Sizing was horrible, the soft ones would last one race and the hard ones were rocks. Put 10 psi of air in one and it would fall over. Made in Chile. There were some out there made somewhere else that were a totally different tire but only the Thomas family seemed to be able to get those.

[HIGH ROLLER]

Indy cars still run firestone tires.

Ok i remember when guys ran them on mods back in the day