Criteria for Crown Jewels?

[MRM]

I always thought a crown jewel race was a race that paid a lot of money that most drivers showed up to try to win. I think the term is used too loosely. And some races that used to be the ones where most drivers showed up can lose their status as a crown jewel if most drivers don't race in it any more.

[dirtybird73]

The Show-Me 100 was a Crown Jewel when it was at West Plains. When they moved it to Wheatland and dropped the purse I think it lost it's crown jewel status and is just another Lucas race. The Dixie Shootout also used to be a Crown Jewel...when it was the H.A.T. Shootout. Now it's just another Lucas race. The Hillbilly used to be a Crown Jewel but over the years it seems to have lost its appeal for some reason. although it pays more to win...Now it's just another Lucas race. The Topless is in the same situation as the Hillbilly as it seems to have lost its appeal and is now just another (higher paying) Lucas race...

[fryefan]

The Show-Me 100 was a Crown Jewel when it was at West Plains. When they moved it to Wheatland and dropped the purse I think it lost it's crown jewel status and is just another Lucas race. The Dixie Shootout also used to be a Crown Jewel...when it was the H.A.T. Shootout. Now it's just another Lucas race. The Hillbilly used to be a Crown Jewel but over the years it seems to have lost its appeal for some reason. although it pays more to win...Now it's just another Lucas race. The Topless is in the same situation as the Hillbilly as it seems to have lost its appeal and is now just another (higher paying) Lucas race...

The purse dropped BEFORE it left West Plains. It dropped when it became a Lucas Oil sanctioned race.

Regardless, of the major events that I have attended, it is definitely a crown jewel, as is the Silver Dollar Nationals, the USA Nationals, the Prairie Dirt Track Classic, the Knoxville Late Model Nationals, and the Dream and World 100.

[NormP]

Some of you don't seem to realize that lots of crowns have more than one jewel. One jewel may be bigger or more valuable, but that doesn't mean the others aren't also jewels on the crown.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

The purse dropped BEFORE it left West Plains. It dropped when it became a Lucas Oil sanctioned race.

Regardless, of the major events that I have attended, it is definitely a crown jewel, as is the Silver Dollar Nationals, the USA Nationals, the Prairie Dirt Track Classic, the Knoxville Late Model Nationals, and the Dream and World 100.

Cubic zirconia is a jewel too. Lol

[dirty-white-boy]

Cubic zirconia is a jewel too. Lol

Dont forget to add the 50k to win CRATE race at VMS to the list. More entries than some of those so called "Crown Jewel" races!

[chathamracefan]

PDC is new to the party, but with the bump up in purse to $30k in recent years & next year $50k, I'd say it belongs on the fringes of that conversation. Also, it draws one of the top 5 late model fields of the year behind Eldora (2) & DTWC & on par with several other crown jewel shows. 72 cars this year & probably north of 80 next year as long as it remains an off weekend for Lucas Oil.

[mskdorf]

I will probably catch he11 for this but I have always considered the race tomorrow night in Brownstown to be a jewel. Granted the Jackson 100 isn’t what it used to be but it’s still one of my faves.

[Mason87]

I definitely see pdc heading that way, with every thing they are doing along with the big money and great racing. Definitely a race I wanna make next year

[dirt crow]

Possum Town Grand Prix and Tuckassee Toilet Bowl Classic. Case closed. Lol

[waaac77]

PDC is new to the party, but with the bump up in purse to $30k in recent years & next year $50k, I'd say it belongs on the fringes of that conversation. Also, it draws one of the top 5 late model fields of the year behind Eldora (2) & DTWC & on par with several other crown jewel shows. 72 cars this year & probably north of 80 next year as long as it remains an off weekend for Lucas Oil.

The PDC is also great because a lot of local IL drivers are there competing against the big touring boys. There are 72 cars there and maybe 1 or 2 are slouches. You don't get locals at Eldora, Cedar Lake, Florence, etc...

[TerryM]

I've always been told the World 100, Dream 100, North South 100, and Dirt Track World Championship are the 4 crown jewels.

These four are definitely crown jewels. It's pretty silly to suggest they aren't. Yes, the World 100 is the biggest event. No one disputes that. But to act like it's the only jewel in the sport is ridiculous.

[Phatdaddy]

Used to be the you knew the Crown Jewels because those were the races that had a two-page spread in Mid American Auto Racing News. World, DTWC, Dream, Hillbilly, Show-Me, Nort-South, Jackson. Maybe Dixie & Cedar Lake. Times have changed !!

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

These four are definitely crown jewels. It's pretty silly to suggest they aren't. Yes, the World 100 is the biggest event. No one disputes that. But to act like it's the only jewel in the sport is ridiculous.

When I was growing up, a Crown Jewel start had to be earned. They didn't give it to you for showing up at some sanction's race every week.

Of course, I also remember the Kings saying the N/S had nothing to gain from sanction and could stand on its own...

[TerryM]

When I was growing up, a Crown Jewel start had to be earned. They didn't give it to you for showing up at some sanction's race every week.

Of course, I also remember the Kings saying the N/S had nothing to gain from sanction and could stand on its own...

Yep, I remember those days too.