What is Cherry Picking in your mind?

[Clamped]

Great topic for discussion. I think that everyone knows how much the costs of racing have grown over the years. And car owners/drivers have to make tough decisions about which races make sense financially. That said, many of us are familiar with the scenario in which a driver may dominate at their local track(s), but never challenge themselves by attempting to travel and race against stiffer competition, even though they probably have the equipment and skills to be competitive. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but if everyone chose to race locally, there would be no WOO, Lucas, etc. Those guys got to where they're at by challenging themselves, and moving up in the sport. Consider the likes of a Chris Furguson, or Chub, back when he was shoestring...having nowhere near the money that the big dogs have, but running with them anyway. That's the antithesis of cherry picking, and I don't know anyone who doesn't respect that.

[tb1545]

The only cherry picking in my mind is if someone drives past a big paying show to hit a pud paying race. Staying closer to home makes financial sense a lot of times and is great to interact with your local fans and $$sponsors$$, but if you spend more to get to a lower paying show, you're not a competitor. I want to beat everyone who comes through the gate no matter the level, I'm not going to hope only 4 cars show up or driver further so i can get an easy win. Its just as easy to wad up your crap against local less inexperienced drivers than taking a chance for more money with the big dogs. But, when you're not paying their bills, its tough to judge. To me the Moyers catch a lot more flak than they should, geographic location of Arkansas doesnt make it easy to get to big races compared to hitting multiple local/regional shows and im sure theres other drivers in the same boat as them. To me Kelly Boen was in their boat, too fast to be running regional and local stuff, but living in Colorado doesnt make it easy or feesable to hit big shows so they listen to more BS than they should and probably one of the reasons that led to him retiring.

[zach51]

Dang, I haven't heard the name Kelly Boen in a long time! Good Post!

[huskerdirt]

The only cherry picking in my mind is if someone drives past a big paying show to hit a pud paying race. Staying closer to home makes financial sense a lot of times and is great to interact with your local fans and $$sponsors$$, but if you spend more to get to a lower paying show, you're not a competitor. I want to beat everyone who comes through the gate no matter the level, I'm not going to hope only 4 cars show up or driver further so i can get an easy win. Its just as easy to wad up your crap against local less inexperienced drivers than taking a chance for more money with the big dogs. But, when you're not paying their bills, its tough to judge. To me the Moyers catch a lot more flak than they should, geographic location of Arkansas doesnt make it easy to get to big races compared to hitting multiple local/regional shows and im sure theres other drivers in the same boat as them. To me Kelly Boen was in their boat, too fast to be running regional and local stuff, but living in Colorado doesnt make it easy or feesable to hit big shows so they listen to more BS than they should and probably one of the reasons that led to him retiring.

Boen was a good dude. Drove people dirty sometimes. The 07 car raced a ton around my area and when you found out he was gonna be at the track. You dropped everything and went to see the show he was gonna put on(good and bad). I remember him saying awhile back before he hung it up... "If I just had a shop in Iowa or Illinois, I would race more of these bigger shows". Pulling from Colorado to I-80 or McCool Junction is still about 8 hours. That's gets pretty old doing it a couple times a month knowing you are only racing for 3 or 5k to win.

Yep the Moyers get a lot of flack. I don't understand why, it's about putting money in the bank to keep racing. Last year when some got worked up because he didn't go to Florence and stayed around Iowa for most August running those MLRA and CBC shows. He actually won more money that month outside of the guys that won those crown jewel events than anybody else. To me that is just being smart and having realistic expectations.

And most forget the last year and half Moyer Sr has been in Iowa a lot more with chassis thing now. It would make more sense to stay around and run those races.

[CRK]

McKay Wenger not racing summer nats and going to Missouri and Quincy when he lives in Fairbury so he can get UMP points. I guess karma caught up with that cherry picking.

[MI Dirt Fan]

Speaking of Moyer's. I see they have been trying to find help throughout this season. Every few weeks or so there is an ad on there websites

[dirtdobber45]

Dont be so sure right yet. He'll have a fight on his hands up there!

With who? Saterlee..maybe Covert..no. Unless he has mechanical problems I dont see him with 'hands full'....except with money lol

[Clayton_Wetter]

Ding Ding Ding There ya have it folks we have another winner!

Congrats!
I agree!

No that's the sound your head makes when you move it!!! No winners yet, just a cherry pickers list.

[DEKconsulting]

Cherry picking would be bloomquist coming to regular show at a track with no other big competitors

[Nasty55]

The only cherry picking in my mind is if someone drives past a big paying show to hit a pud paying race.

Rusty Schlenk was famous for doing this a few yrs ago chasing UMP Points....

[SLIDING SIDEWAYS]

With who? Saterlee..maybe Covert..no. Unless he has mechanical problems I dont see him with 'hands full'....except with money lol

More than you think. Lil ol bloomer aint going to mop up at vms. I know thats what you are thinking u lil nut hugger.

[tb1545]

Rusty Schlenk was famous for doing this a few yrs ago chasing UMP Points....

And that could be a whole new long topic about the silly games of "points chasing" , but At least there's decent money in winning ump national points. Here in imca land you hear so many stories about modifieds throwing a buddy in a sport mod to reach the 9 car minimum a main carcount to recieve max points at a hole in the wall track or driving 300 miles to get an easier track. I'm far from a fan of points racing. I'd love to see more of and bigger pays for perfect attendance with tracks and series. Emphasize racing hard and smart for the wins, and if it's not your night, just get out of the way.

[MI Dirt Fan]

More than you think. Lil ol bloomer aint going to mop up at vms. I know thats what you are thinking u lil nut hugger.

I'll be putting the Crow in crock pot tomorrow afternoon just in case.

[dirtdobber45]

Ok if you pay 30-40k for a car 50-60k for a motor and 200k for a hauler and you rather go to a 2k to win race so you can 'pay the bills' its time to find a different hobby. Your gonna spend that much at least have b@lls enough to run the big money races and let the locals have their time

[dirtdobber45]

I'll be putting the Crow in crock pot tomorrow afternoon just in case.

Wait bud SS has a secret...he found out that Dale McDowell will be there so Scott mite have some competition this wkend