Brandon shepherd has a new ride?

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

I don't think it would slow the inflation rate down much, if at all.

I'll use modified racing in New York as an example. About 10 years ago , many of the weekly tracks that were paying 2k+ to win a weekly feature actually cut the purses down to 1500 to win and the costs have continued on their upward arc at the same it rate it was when the big purses ruled the day.

It's racing. the money is always going to have the advantage, and everybody else will spend their last dollar to keep up.

That isn't even the same order of magnitude, but I get your point.

[Josh Bayko]

That isn't even the same order of magnitude, but I get your point.

I know it isn't the same order of magnitude.

There really isn't a way to "fix" racing costs. Nothing easy, at least.

[bb14]

I feel your pain. I am lucky to live in an area where people are still struggling along. Much of the southeast is without supers. I have been wondering what KY will look like next year.

Regional racing killed the local racing in the south. None of our tracks have been the same since the promoter at Gaffney said if crates look like late models the fans will still come. Crates have dumbed down the racing and many fans will not come with crates as the top division. I would rather see a late model class with any engine. Top crate teams could run a local super class with the money that is spent. Hopefully this will not happen in KY but it looks like it could be headed that way.

[grt74]

with what it costs to run a crate today,you could run supers,only added cost would be tires(soft tires)but from what I've heard the nesmith guys have soft tires now too,so the only savings would be in the engine area,and ill bet at the end of the year its not much

[golddirt]

Thought this was about shep? My bad

[Freezer19]

Thought this was about shep? My bad

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[SHOE32]

Yeah maybe I should repost thread.getting back on subject,Brandon needs to take number5 with him because that is good marketing for his old sponsors,and fans,and for tv watchers recognising him from last year

[tsand]

I totally agree. Regional series killed super racing in the Carolinas. What will happen in Ky next year? Many will travel withe BoB and leave the local tracks without supers. Crates as headliner class does not cut it for fans. I drive 4-6 hours to watch supers and pass up many local tracks. Sorry but crates do not cut with me and most of my buddies.

National tours are not the problem. Regional tours are the problem. If we had neither the local racing could improve.

that's so far from the truth it's not funny. The carolina clash had 3 drivers that ran the entire series the ultimate 3 also southen all stars 4 cars if you look at the 50 plus races for those 3 series only about 8 had full fields. 175.00 tires and 40,000 motors killed supers in the Carolinas there is less than 30 supers left in both of the carolinas. That's why local tracks quit running them. Before the clash even started Cherokee was getting maybe 10 or 12 cars at the most. Regional series didn't kill supers it saved them. What do you think if you shut down the regional series suddenly your going to have 20 supers at local track ? That's not going to happen.

[bb14]

that's so far from the truth it's not funny. The carolina clash had 3 drivers that ran the entire series the ultimate 3 also southen all stars 4 cars if you look at the 50 plus races for those 3 series only about 8 had full fields. 175.00 tires and 40,000 motors killed supers in the Carolinas there is less than 30 supers left in both of the carolinas. That's why local tracks quit running them. Before the clash even started Cherokee was getting maybe 10 or 12 cars at the most. Regional series didn't kill supers it saved them. What do you think if you shut down the regional series suddenly your going to have 20 supers at local track ? That's not going to happen.

You are not comparing apples to apples. You are comparing this years fields after 7 or 8 years of people quitting. I do agree costs are out of hand but the last year Gaffney ran we ran 5th one night at Gaffney with a back up motor that we $4000 invested. And we were in the same straightaway as the leader. That was the big track too.

I still feel that crates helped kill supers along with Clash vs SASEast competition.

I am afraid KY will end up like ETenn and the Carolinas. Guys with some money run the series. Guys that can't afford it will try and end up quitting. Local tracks lose half field and run crates as headliner. Fans see the difference in racing and either follow series or stay home. Some guys move down. Some guys see that they have to spend about the same to race and quit. Regional series fold after 2 or 3 years and the racers have no place to race. Crate cheating is rampant and guys quit.

Regional series are not the only reason but it is a large piece of the pie. I feel most tracks have too many divisions. Consolidate the 4 cyl into one or two classes max. Same with stock bodies. Consolidate late models too. Everyone on hard tires like 1600 or 55 and run whatever motor you choose.

[tsand]

You are not comparing apples to apples. You are comparing this years fields after 7 or 8 years of people quitting. I do agree costs are out of hand but the last year Gaffney ran we ran 5th one night at Gaffney with a back up motor that we $4000 invested. And we were in the same straightaway as the leader. That was the big track too. The only problem with your theory is that it would take several years for the supers to build back up. And no promoter is going to increase there purse for supers . The cat is out of the bag why should a track pay supers 1500 to win when they can pay crates 800 to win with 6 or 7 hundred to start in the clash. There should never be a ten grand to win regional super race if the series want full fields spread the money on back.

I still feel that crates helped kill supers along with Clash vs SASEast competition.

I am afraid KY will end up like ETenn and the Carolinas. Guys with some money run the series. Guys that can't afford it will try and end up quitting. Local tracks lose half field and run crates as headliner. Fans see the difference in racing and either follow series or stay home. Some guys move down. Some guys see that they have to spend about the same to race and quit. Regional series fold after 2 or 3 years and the racers have no place to race. Crate cheating is rampant and guys quit.

Regional series are not the only reason but it is a large piece of the pie. I feel most tracks have too many divisions. Consolidate the 4 cyl into one or two classes max. Same with stock bodies. Consolidate late models too. Everyone on hard tires like 1600 or 55 and run whatever motor you choose.

The only problem with your theory is the cats already out of the bag no promoter is going to pay supers 1500 to win when the have proven that the crates will run for 800 to win. We run the clash and ultimate the guys that win ever week will always be there. It's the guys 6th on back that their losing every year we've been lobbing for the clash to pay 2500 to win with 600 to start if they want to retain the cars they got. There never should be a ten grand to win regional race leave that for the national series . When the crates guys proved that they would race weekly for so little money supers were dead.

[zyoung25]

Yeah maybe I should repost thread.getting back on subject,Brandon needs to take number5 with him because that is good marketing for his old sponsors,and fans,and for tv watchers recognising him from last year

I would assume he will get to keep his number. Anyone else that has driven for that team has kept their own digits.

[rickybrown1952]

I may be way behind things here but Is sheppard going to drive for someone else in 16?

[zyoung25]

I may be way behind things here but Is sheppard going to drive for someone else in 16?

At Charlotte Brandon drove Matts back up car during the world finals. Earlier this week, it was said that Westfall and team parted ways. It hasn't been released yet from either side of its for sure that BShep will be that car or not.

It's weird to me that they cut Westfall free, he has done well in anything he has driven. He isn't hard on stuff and is a contender. Shep may be a better choice, but who's to say Westfall couldn't be as good in time to come?

[largecar139]

Here is the problem with local tracks. We all pay 15 dollars to get in the gates beer and food is an OK price but what are we really watching? A bunch of junk. You have about 10 to 15 supers and there is probably only 3 or 4 that win all the time at the same tracks. Same goes with modifieds. Then your left with a bunch of street stocks and bombers an 4 cylinders. Which I may add that the tracks love cause they bring in pit gate money. Now the price of racing is sky high and with all the money they could be paying the drivers they just put it in their pockets. There is no reason that places in the St Louis area such as tri city, I-55, highland etc can't pay their supers 2500 to 3 grand every weekend. Regional series is helping alot for instance look at the summer nationals. All the talented drivers in Illinois and Indiana etc. The real problem is the promoters in this sport. Ya that's great we have LOLMDS AND WOO but it also helps we have the mars series and summernationals. But the weekly local tracks ultimately need to pay out more cash. No questions asked

[Highside Hustler25]

Here is the problem with local tracks. We all pay 15 dollars to get in the gates beer and food is an OK price but what are we really watching? A bunch of junk. You have about 10 to 15 supers and there is probably only 3 or 4 that win all the time at the same tracks. Same goes with modifieds. Then your left with a bunch of street stocks and bombers an 4 cylinders. Which I may add that the tracks love cause they bring in pit gate money. Now the price of racing is sky high and with all the money they could be paying the drivers they just put it in their pockets. There is no reason that places in the St Louis area such as tri city, I-55, highland etc can't pay their supers 2500 to 3 grand every weekend. Regional series is helping alot for instance look at the summer nationals. All the talented drivers in Illinois and Indiana etc. The real problem is the promoters in this sport. Ya that's great we have LOLMDS AND WOO but it also helps we have the mars series and summernationals. But the weekly local tracks ultimately need to pay out more cash. No questions asked

I think this translates into Yes. Brandon will be in a new ride.