TST, Gone Stupid!!!

[nuff said]

You used to run Green Valley in the ground every chance you got,how is the racing there now ? There are several tracks I refuse to go back to,but I don't start threads running them in the ground.I appreciate the fact they are trying to give people a place to race. Carry on

[B_K]

Would some new dirt and a little water be too much to ask for while were at it?

[pap]

Some one call Stacey Holmes and tell him to buy it!!

[dirt crow]

You used to run Green Valley in the ground every chance you got,how is the racing there now ? There are several tracks I refuse to go back to,but I don't start threads running them in the ground.I appreciate the fact they are trying to give people a place to race. Carry on

Well thank you for that unsolicited testimonial

[fastford]

I will agree they should have made some improvements back when they were making some money, but the way things are now, I just hope they keep it open. and from what I understand , stacy holmes has gone asphalt racing and could care less.

[GotDirt1313]

I heard that a few years ago, Tony Stewart made them an offer, and they turned it down, a while later. Stacey Holmes doubled Tony's offer, and they turned that down too, must be alot that they're wanting for that place.

[B_K]

Don't know if the offer thing is true, but the $$$ brought in during the two NASCAR weekends and the Ice Bowl is probably more than a lot of places bring in during an entire season.

I know the two NASCAR weekends used to be leased to some people. I have no clue if thats still the case.

[pap]

Fastford, you are correct, I know Brett was driving for Joe Faulk (sp) last year but I haven't heard anything from this season. It would be impossible to try and run a track then go up to the Carolina's every weekend to watch your boy race. Gotdirt, never had heard that any offers had been made, Thanks for the info. B_K, I have always heard, or at least the last 10 years or so that some group, out of I believe Iowa, leased the track for all 3 of the weekends you pointed out. Have no clue if that's true or not. Seems like the name was Simmons or Stephens or something like that.

[dirt crow]

Yes. Those 500 weekends are still leased.

[fastford]

I herd that when Alfred died , they owed the group that did the work on the back strait away back when the sprints were coming there, 150 k and they will be clear of them. I guess preacher and alfreds wife are in control now so it might be sold before long, who knows.....

[B_K]

Fastford, you are correct, I know Brett was driving for Joe Faulk (sp) last year but I haven't heard anything from this season. It would be impossible to try and run a track then go up to the Carolina's every weekend to watch your boy race. Gotdirt, never had heard that any offers had been made, Thanks for the info. B_K, I have always heard, or at least the last 10 years or so that some group, out of I believe Iowa, leased the track for all 3 of the weekends you pointed out. Have no clue if that's true or not. Seems like the name was Simmons or Stephens or something like that.

Robert Lawton was one of the guys names. Not sure on the others.

[Late_Model_Mark]

Aw geez.

We qualified the 3 Late Model classes by request from Mrs. Goodwin for that night only. Mrs. Goodwin and the Mullinax group also had 3 quick 6 dashes for the Late Models that paid some nice extra money.

The Goodwin's also staged a very nice silent auction that had a load of great stuff up for bid that went over very well. The Goodwin group also has 5 separate ball tosses for the fans with some cool prizes.

Here is the timeline of the race. Hot laps got started at 7:15p.m. ending at 8:09p.m. There was a 29 minute delay in the hot laps sessions as the very first Super Late Model group had Tony Thompson making contact with another car sending him barrel rolling with big air "over" turn 1. It took some time to clean that deal up.

Before time trials we paid tribute to a long time fan in a moving moment by having Tim Roszell spreading this fans ashes onto the track witnessed by the whole family and fans.

Then the 3 late Model classes started timing in at 8:21p.m. ending at 9:16p.m. Heat races started for the 3 weekly divisions at 9:19p.m. ending at 9:45p.m.

Then it was on to the Quick 6 dashes that began at 9:51p.m. finishing at 10:18p.m. At 10:29p.m. the 6 feature races began with the last checkered waved finishing late for us at 12:11a.m.

The last month has had exceptional races as of late with outstanding racing such as the recent war in the Super Late's Aug 1 with 10 "official lead changes between 3 drivers and 12 lead changes inside each lap for a total of 22 in a 30 lapper. Not to shabby.

Our average start time for hot laps has been 7:09p.m. with an average finish time of 10:33p.m.. Just about a 3 hour and change show for 6.

We have had strong crowds during the summer as well. To Mr. Dirt Crow, and I have known the man for some time, please don't buy all the stuff ya hear, ya got my phone number, use it if ya want to know what is up. The DC has always had a dim view of TST but very rarely ever attends. Also the DC did show no mercy the Green Valley, believe me that one hurt as I really enjoyed announcing there for 2 fun years.

TST has the best special event calendar for Late Models of any track in Alabama, we have our issues like any other track as the cost of holding races is quite alarming, yet we open the gates each week with the only track in the state with 3 true Late Model classes.

So this Saturday night we will have Oxford Lumber/Ace Hardware fan appreciation night with many giveaways and the like all for $10.00 dollars.

One more thing for ya DC, the fans I have talked to in the past weeks have been very, very happy about the racing, the value of the show and the fun times.

I have my announcing shortcomings but I give it my all by doing my homework and trying to inform and make it fun, yep, I'm a homer and work for the track but there are some great hard working dedicated folks who bust their behinds at TST to have racing 32 times a year.

O' one more thing, we will only qualify the Supers as usual Sat night.

Best regards to all.
Late Model Mark
TST Announcer

[dirt crow]

Talked down on both tracks, yes. But when they deserve praise I give / gave it. Unfortunately it / was rare. I told someone earlier up in this thread if was one week I'd retract. So I am. But I still say all time trials suck. Thank god the sport is heading in the direction of no time trials, pill draws and passing points only. Your successful tracks, mostly up north, are doing it that way. And guess what. They're packed with fans. Time trials are boring. Fans want racing. Fans want entertainment. Heats do this. Trials don't. ....I know several, SEVERAL fans that talked with Harker about GVS's problems. Shared their ideas. Smart ideas. He didn't listen, catered to the drivers and their wants, and we see the outcome. I don't want that for TST. Been going there since I was in middle school. But the place does need a major bath. Hopefully upgrades will come. ....and finally Mark, you do realize you are white collar now. Not blue like me no more. Don't forget your roots. Lol. But you'll always be a friend.

[champion24]

Crow and LM Mark may have to hug it out!! I like to see good racing. I can only speak for myself, but qualifying does nothing for me. Time hot laps for a "time." A racy track, that you can actually pass on, cures a lot of issues. To LM Mark: Just how "alarming is the cost of holding races?" As said before, those 3 big weekends do bring in a big amount.

[acetone]

the guys running n ga said they were losing 5 grand on a weekly show. no racing till sept now.