Format

[dirtcrazy4u]

Funny. Me included at times, have all made comments about the costs of racing. A weather weekend which was not the best. A showing of fans that impressed me. Yes, you see the top 3 divisions in dirt racing. We can all complain but the big shows are drawing the fans. Your local speedway racing is all but dead. So why not, save and go have a good time we're you no the stars will b

[chupp n bloomer fan]

Their are a handful of races that are not defined by their purse. Some pay big and some do not.

Daytona
Indy
Pikes Peak
Le Mans
Chilli Bowl
Clarksville
Isle of Man

all races that it's about puting your name on the trophy. although a couple of em pay pretty well.

I’d add The World 100, you mean the Toilet Bowl Classic for Clarksville?

[chupp n bloomer fan]

They were only in NASCAR, Kid................until someone got the idea to hype an event as a million dollar payout that didn't even approach half that amount. If that ain't a gimmick then I reckon the definition of the word is unclear as is applied here! LOL! If the pre-race hype had been "we'll payout whatever amount we can get fans, drivers, car owners and sponsors, etc., to donate", which ended up being $405,879.00, then gimmick would perhaps have been a bit less applicable.

When Earl Baltes hyped a dirt late model race as The Eldora Million the A-main, in fact, paid $1,175,450.00 with a million dolllars being paid to Donnie Moran for winning the race.
A few years later when Earl hyped a wingless 410 sprint car event as The MOPAR Million the total purse was, in fact, $1,000,000.00. Not even a smidgen of ambiguity was contained in the hype of either of those races.

But, back to the point that was made earlier, which was that the ultimate garbage purse (someone else's words, not mine) is paid at an event that boasts very impressive attendance (15,000+ X 6 nights = 90,000+) and a huge car count (350 to 375 cars). The moral of the story: it's not the purse that compels drivers and car owners, it's the prestige, honor and national notoriety that comes with winning.

While it can be considered a gimmick, it’s a start. And it paid very well. Though a name change I would do, unless he can hit that million mark.

Personally, the rock situation, dirt/clay situation needs fixed above all else. I won’t go there till then. And it’s only about an hour and a half from me.

I'd like to hit the Chili Bowl, Knoxville, Williams Grove, etc. A few others, but them for sure. The Charlotte World Finals would be another.

[Highside Hustler25]

Yes and yes. Erb Jr. has 2 porcelain trophy's and they are the pride of his trophy room.

[Clayton_Wetter]

When we're talking Knoxville Nationals we're talking about an elite and iconic annual event that has been around for nearly 60 years. If this "Million" race gimmick is still around in 6 or 7 years and is a stand alone benchmark event in dirt racing then we'll talk. Even then it won't be in a class with The Chili Bowl. Some of the best and most highly regarded drivers in the world want to win The Chili Bowl, not for the money, but for the prestige of being one of a very select and elite group of drivers that owns a Golden Driller. It's a career maker/legacy maker type of victory that elite drivers want desperately to have on their final resume' even if it paid only black eyes and a split lip!

But they don't want to win it enough to foot the bill. Many are getting a free ride.

[Kwd1253]

Their are a handful of races that are not defined by their purse. Some pay big and some do not.

Daytona
Indy
Pikes Peak
Le Mans
Chilli Bowl
Clarksville
Isle of Man

all races that it's about puting your name on the trophy. although a couple of em pay pretty well.

Don't forget about the

Baja 1000
Dakar Rally
Monaco

[Highside Hustler25]

Don't forget about the

Baja 1000
Dakar Rally
Monaco

Yep. The list goes on and on when you look at all the different forms of racing.

[CIRF]

But they don't want to win it enough to foot the bill. Many are getting a free ride.

Who would you blame for that, Clay? Keith Kunz is on record as saying there are but 3 drivers who can get a ride in his equipment on the spur of the moment with a mere phone call. Two of them are prominent NASCAR drivers and the other is widely known and has spent a season or two participating in a NASCAR truck. Why, prey tell, would any one of the three (and there are probably a few more who could get a ride in KKM equipment at The Chili Bowl) want to attempt to win the biggest dirt race of the year driving non KKM equipment when there is an iron clad, tried and true winning car waiting for them at the snap of their finger?

Now, I would completely agree that in a perfect world Larson, Bell and Rico would bankroll their own Chili Bowl rides and some deserving up and coming young drivers would get a chance in the KKM stuff and show what they can do. That is the case to a certain degree now but we all know there is some great young talent out there that never gets an opportunity to showcase it on the worlds biggest dirt racing stage.

[hucktyson]

Why would Keith kunz waste his time and money on a driver who has not proven they can win with a winning car ??? He doesn’t have time or patience for that when capable guys are available

[CIRF]

You make a good point, huck. Especially when it comes to crown jewel events such as The Chili Bowl and Turkey Night Grand Prix.

I'm not positive exactly what point CW is making but I will speculate that he thinks Larson, Bell and Rico, among a few others, should be bankrolling their own midget rides to open up seats for some lesser known midget talent. If I'm off base I'm sure Clay will sternly correct me! LOL!

[Clayton_Wetter]

No disrespect to anyone, but when we raced we went to race for the competition and glory. Money was secondary. i know racing for a living in this day and age is a different story, and a shame at that...

Till you got caught giving your racing turtle speed!!!!!

[Clayton_Wetter]

Yes and yes. Erb Jr. has 2 porcelain trophy's and they are the pride of his trophy room.

Oh come on now. A silly toilet lid for beating the locals????? hahahahahaaa

[latemodelman]

Its not all format it has to do with not having many races around and the season done. Also weather is a big factor.

[Krooser]

I won the first race I ever entered... 1970 at Hales Corners, WI. Paid $3.60... no I didn't keep the check I cashed it cuz I needed race car parts (from the junkyard)...

[ZERO25]

I won the first race I ever entered... 1970 at Hales Corners, WI. Paid $3.60... no I didn't keep the check I cashed it cuz I needed race car parts (from the junkyard)...

Feed for the dinosaur!