Is the Prairie Dirt Classic a Crown Jewel

[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

[Snake X3]

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

[cgrace]

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

[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.

[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.

[dch191]

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

There’s no such thing as a support class in racing.

[a25rjr]

So, the Dream paying 100k for 20 plus years is not a crown jewel.....hmmmmm!

[Josh Bayko]

I'm with you on the Hillbilly.

No WoO races on Labor Day weekend this year should make for a great field this edition of the Hillbilly. I am definitely planning on making the trip down this year.

[Swampy121]

So, the Dream paying 100k for 20 plus years is not a crown jewel.....hmmmmm!

I agree that the Dream is a crown jewel, but if we are just looking at payout then wouldn't that mean that the Dirt Million is our newest jewel?

[cdustyr1]

Trophy

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

Rich wondering what your take was on the new PDC trophy they came up with this year with the gold shovel?

[superstock79]

I have to agree with a few others on this post, The "CROWN JEWEL" can only be 1, there is only 1 race that can draw the highest car count CONSISTANTLY for the last almost 50 years,
one race that if u asked EVERY driver n late model racing, which trophy would u want over all others, they'd all respond the same, 1 race that can fill up a near 20k seat venue, 1 race that can fill up every available acre of ground around with campers,1 race that nearly every single other track n the 5 state area closes down for, 1 race that can be the TOP DOG, there is only 1 crown jewel n dirt late model racing, THE WORLD 100!

[superstock79]

And as for the PDC, if u get outside of illinois, the PDC is just another late model show.....

[KAOS]

Really this only comes down to if you go to the race or not. If its a race you like its the greatest of them all in your mind. And apparently a lot of you don't want to give anything to anyone outside the state of Oho. Look at the sprints they have the Kings Royal, Knoxville, National Open and what else the Jackson Nationals?Im glad the DLMs have enough big money races that we can debate about this stupid stuff.

[rickybrown1952]

Show Me was pretty cool back in the day. Now it is a hijacked name on a Lucas race that pays a little more. I don't see the big deal.

True Show Me 100 used to be a crown jewel but no more since it left West Plains last Show Me I attended it payed $ 41,000 that was about 11 yrs ago they pay $ 30,000 now don't think that proves out to be a crown jewel

[ptown]

And as for the PDC, if u get outside of illinois, the PDC is just another late model show.....

Good point, it’s definitely a crown jewel of Illinois.