Provisional starting positions are a necessary part of series racing

[Returning to Dirt]

http://insidedirtracing.com/provisional-starting-positions-are-a-necessary-part-of-series-racing/

Some like them. Some hate them. Here's my argument for why provisionals are a necessity.

[Krooser]

The provsionals and promoters choices have been around forever. Do you want the fans in the stands for a "special" or not?

[Phatdaddy]

I don't' really like provisionals, but I understand why the series regulars like them. From a fans standpoint, can't say I know too many fans who leave the track mad or disappointed that their favorite driver didn't make a particular race. (At least not adult fans)
The deal with the Rocket Provisional at PPMS last year was too much though.
Maybe if a provisional just guaranteed a start in the back of the B main, then it wouldn't be viewed as such a crutch.

[BloomerHarvickFan]

I like the idea of provisionals. I think, as has been said, it gives drivers some insurance against things out of their control, or just a bad night.
I think they do need to be limited. My fav driver growing up was Darrell Waltrip, and I have to say, that those last few years were tough to take. Seeing a hero limping around and making races because of that past champions provisional.
I like the idea of segmenting the season, and rewarding drivers for not using provisionals.
You break the season up into 3rds. You give each driver X amount of provisionals per segment. Maybe 2 per 1/3, for a total of 6.
At the end of the year, if a driver is in the top 10 in points and uses zero provisionals, maybe increase the point money payout, or give them some sort of weekly bonus the following year, an extra 100.00 a week toe money.

[blncfn57]

Provisional starting spots are racing's version of participation trophies IMO. These guys are already getting travel money and show up points, let the fastest guys race every night. While you're at it, get rid of this nonsense where you take the top 2 or 3 out of the heats, but 4 or 5 from the B-main. bass ackwards IMO

[rickybrown1952]

I think they are nessecery for instance if a driver in Lucus oil series is in second in points only 10 points behind goes out for his heat race gets collected comes in last starts last in B-main comes in 5th doesn't make the A-main this guy needs a provisional

[blncfn57]

I think they are nessecery for instance if a driver in Lucus oil series is in second in points only 10 points behind goes out for his heat race gets collected comes in last starts last in B-main comes in 5th doesn't make the A-main this guy needs a provisional

The same could happen to the guy leading the points the very next race. It's no different than running last this week, next week the guy you're battling with for points may have a bad night also.

[jog49]

You should join forces with Senator Chuck Schumer. He likes to hand out freebies too! At any event, anything a driver gets should be earned. No ifs, ands, or buts.

[TS FAN]

There is no getting around provisionals if we are going to have traveling racing series. A Traveling racing series would fall apart without them. What can be negotiated is that all big races have a 24 car starting field of earned spots. Then the racing series can add any provisionals that they care to.

[TackyTracker]

I really don't mind the provisional but don't these guys get tow $$$ also.. Doesn't seem fair to the local guy that won't get a chance at either

[smoothoperator32]

Supercross does not allow provisional

[Mindwalker]

Without em... Lower car counts.

[a25rjr]

I don't mind the provisionals, but please limit the emergency provisionals! Those seem to get abused!

[Josh Bayko]

I don’t understand the train of thought that provisionals screw non touring drivers out of starting spots. They don’t. Provisionals are always added to the back of the field behind all of the cars that legit qualified.

[a25rjr]

When you guys start working for a team maybe then you will understand the importance. Even helping with a regional team this money on the bad nights helps get us to the next race. It amazes me that ya'll think everybody that races has a pocket full of money. Ya'll whine and moan like a bunch of kids to get the cars more competitive. Stiffen the rules. Make these things cheaper. But holy sh1t when it comes to giving a provisional to get paid you b1tch even more. We need that money to help pay for a couple of tires, race fuel, pit passes, and diesel fuel. The guys I help ALL have full time jobs. We bust our backside every week to get our stuff ready to go race. Once in a while we have a bad night. No matter what the reason is for that bad night we get a 2nd chance to race thru a provisional. We follow these series around to put on a show for the fans and make enough money to get to the next show. The National teams are no different. None of us have a money tree planted in our yard. If we did then we wouldn't need sponsors and we wouldn't need provisional......

Well said......no keyboard racer here! ^^^^^^^^^^^