Is the Prairie Dirt Classic a Crown Jewel

[Highside Hustler25]

Personally, I don't think FALS needs a support class for the PDC.

They don't but the mods put on a good show and it adds a little bit more racing action for the fans.

[Clayton_Wetter]

Some on here thinking its ignorant to not think of the DTWC as a crown jewel seems stupid to me. I don't think the DTWC is anymore of a crown jewel event than the show-me-100 these days. That race died after 1997 and the show-me-100 after 2009.

I agree with the poster above that there can only be one crown jewel win and thats the world 100. But there is other important events and to me what makes an event important is that it has to have a long history, has to be at the same track, has to have been run every year, has to pay good, has to have a distinctive atmosphere (this is something that the drivers and especially the fans create, they create a sacred place), known for memorable moments and great races.

IMO the top four races are

World 100 - The crown jewel
Jackson 100 (it pays well enough)
Prairie Dirt Classic
USA Nationals

The Jackson 100 is not even in the top 25 big races.

[cgrace]

Personally, I don't think FALS needs a support class for the PDC.

[Snake X3]

I would think one defining criteria would be that the race is big enough that it doesn't need a support class.

[Crossbones]

Some on here thinking its ignorant to not think of the DTWC as a crown jewel seems stupid to me. I don't think the DTWC is anymore of a crown jewel event than the show-me-100 these days. That race died after 1997 and the show-me-100 after 2009.

I agree with the poster above that there can only be one crown jewel win and thats the world 100. But there is other important events and to me what makes an event important is that it has to have a long history, has to be at the same track, has to have been run every year, has to pay good, has to have a distinctive atmosphere (this is something that the drivers and especially the fans create, they create a sacred place), known for memorable moments and great races.

IMO the top four races are

World 100 - The crown jewel
Jackson 100 (it pays well enough)
Prairie Dirt Classic
USA Nationals

[golddirt]

Hell I've saw some 30 lap features that cant compare to some crown jewel races. I just ant to see a good race as I don't care what its called

[Pennsboro23]

History, money, and unique format make a crown jewel to me.

Not enough history, and a little light on cash for PDC to be in the crown jewel list. Not every big race qualifies as crown jewel. The PDC is a pretty big race.

I seem to be one of the few that still really see the Hillbilly as a crown jewel. But being the oldest and richest one day show keeps it there for me.

I'm with you on the Hillbilly.

[MI Dirt Fan]

I disagree with the woo finals that is a points race to end their season

It's not even one big paying event. It's two separate ones that pay $10-12k each.

[brsteg]

History, money, and unique format make a crown jewel to me.

Not enough history, and a little light on cash for PDC to be in the crown jewel list. Not every big race qualifies as crown jewel. The PDC is a pretty big race.

I seem to be one of the few that still really see the Hillbilly as a crown jewel. But being the oldest and richest one day show keeps it there for me.

[NormP]

Who really cares?

The idiots care. Other than that, no one cares. Everyone has their idea of what a crown jewel is and no one is more right than anyone else.

"So let's leave it alone 'cause we can't see eye to eye
There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy
There's only you and me and we just disagree"

[Cardirt0]

Who really cares?

Its all in the Mind, and mine is not working to good no more. So right you are.

[golddirt]

Who really cares?

[racincowboy02]

I disagree with the woo finals that is a points race to end their season

[bleedsbluer2]

Pdc,hillbilly100,firecracker100,jackson100,silver dollar nationals,woo finals can be considered crown jewel and should be

[ptown]

Hands down... talk with the drivers and they easily define with four criteria:

1.) History - drivers will talk about being on next years t-shirt with a the list of HOF drivers that are listed on the back of the event t-shirt
2.) Trophy - you will hear drivers talk about "I want the globe (Eldora or DTWC), Eagle (USA Nationals), trophy with the flags (US and Confederate for North/South) etc" and the prestige that goes with having that trophy in your trophy case.
3.) Payout - long before some of the newer events, the crown jewels have a long history of payouts of $40K, $50K, etc. as well as high "to-start" purse. Those promoters took a huge gamble by paying out those purses long ago.
4.) Venue - you hear drivers talk about big races won at the venue by some of dirt racings biggest names and the biggest events.

Bottom line... you combine the four above and you have history as the main theme of events that were won by the sports biggest names (regional, national and sometimes local).

Fans do not define Crown Jewels - drivers define these races by ones that they most want to win (reasons above) on a national level. Also, I don't think there is one Crown Jewel - what famous crown in history has ever had one jewel? The idea around Crown Jewels is several prestigious races and right now we have less than ten.

BTW... all big races need to come up with a unique trophy. FALS, I-80, Knoxville and others need to come up with an iconic trophy. A trophy from the World 100, USA Nationals, North/South 100... even the Cotton Pickin and Toilet Bowl... these are trophy's you don't have to look at the plate to know what trophy the event represents. Crown Jewels should all have an iconic trophy.

Rich Olson
Minneapolis, MN

This guy knows what he’s talking about.