Ump nationals need some changes

[Action10]

The points system being overhauled (2005 or 2006-ish IIRC) diminished the event as far as points were concerned. It also had the unintended consequence of making it harder for a truly small budget, weekly racer to win the points championship. Times change and I understand that, but I am really sad about what has become of both the event and UMP in general.

[kidrock]

UMP is not just Late Models and Modifieds so, why shouldn't other classes be at this same venue. Yes things have changed and it has lost it's luster. The money is just not there to give some an incentive to go to this event. I mean it's in the middle of the country and plenty of ump members to draw from. You have o make it an incentivize through the points and or more money.

[fastford]

kid , you forget 2/3rds of 4m hate the lower classes and think late model,s are all there is worth watching , when in fact with the outrageous cost to run a late model , the lower classes is all thats left to possibly save the sport of dirt track racing , if you look at car counts in every class at every track the last few years , late model counts have dropped dramatically at local saturday night tracks , while lower class participation has increased a lot ....JMO.....

[Highside Hustler25]

kid , you forget 2/3rds of 4m hate the lower classes and think late model,s are all there is worth watching , when in fact with the outrageous cost to run a late model , the lower classes is all thats left to possibly save the sport of dirt track racing , if you look at car counts in every class at every track the last few years , late model counts have dropped dramatically at local saturday night tracks , while lower class participation has increased a lot ....JMO.....

Everything you have said here is true. It still doesn't change the fact that after following late models your whole life, I have no desire to pay $$to watch lil Jimmy drive his $100 hornet around in circles

[hotshoe65s]

The fall nationals at Eldora was my favorite event of the year. It could be made to work again.
I think a two day show, Friday and Saturday. Two classes only, super lates and mods.
Friday night every car runs a feature. Late models $3k to win/$300 to start each feature. Mods $1500 to win $150 to start each feature. Do a points deal like the Dream/World for lineup on Saturday.
Saturday run one feature for each class. Late Models $10k to win $500 to start. Mods $5k to win $300 to start.
Then the key is to make the Fall Nationals matter for ump national points. Either pay double points or make it count for points despite the race limit, or something.

[50Dixon50]

In looking over the results it looked more like a weekly show. The USRA Nationals at Wheatland this coming weekend had over 300 cars registered a week or two ago.

I watched the video of the Latemodel portion it DID look like a local maybe regional race ridiculous used to be a lot of big names at this race

[kidrock]

kid , you forget 2/3rds of 4m hate the lower classes and think late model,s are all there is worth watching , when in fact with the outrageous cost to run a late model , the lower classes is all thats left to possibly save the sport of dirt track racing , if you look at car counts in every class at every track the last few years , late model counts have dropped dramatically at local saturday night tracks , while lower class participation has increased a lot ....JMO.....

I know right, I've seen some darn good races in the lower classes and some nights the best racing of the night. I'm a race fan not a fan of just Late Models. Yes you are correct the late Models are don't race at a lot of tracks now.

Hope things are good with you and your family!

[fastford]

Everything you have said here is true. It still doesn't change the fact that after following late models your whole life, I have no desire to pay $$to watch lil Jimmy drive his $100 hornet around in circles

I guess its kind of like when I go to a local high school foot ball game , I really dont care that much about the band , but I realize its part of the big picture , so I support them as well with a donation or what ever I can do for the good of the whole , and BTW some of those band members are the hardest working ones on the field sometimes ,,,JMO

[Krooser]

Everything you have said here is true. It still doesn't change the fact that after following late models your whole life, I have no desire to pay $$to watch lil Jimmy drive his $100 hornet around in circles

Without little Jimmies family and friends spending money at the track its likely late models would never race there much less any other class... Give primoting a shot... Its eye opening.

[Highside Hustler25]

Without little Jimmies family and friends spending money at the track its likely late models would never race there much less any other class... Give primoting a shot... Its eye opening.

I wouldn't know anything about primoting.
As far as promoters around these parts, I've heard many say if it wasn't for their late model specials, they'd lose money for the year. The late model specials pack the stands. Takes 8-10 weekends to match the attendance that say a Lucas, WoO, or SN race brings in.

Getting back to Jimmy, if the late models are not in attendance, the only ones in the stands are family and friends. That tells ya right there what the fans want to see.