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In response in particular to FASTRAK car owner Scott Bidwell and FASTRAK drivers Jay Watson & Chad Myers, and others:
As for the format of Saturday’s Night 1 of the FASTRAK Grand Nationals, all 43 qualified racers received a letter in the mail two weeks in advance explaining the format, purse, fees, etc. as we have done for all of our specials at Mercer Raceway Park throughout the past 10 years. Also, a press release detailing the format was posted on the FASTRAK Northeast website, various message boards, and sent out to our mailing list.
Upon receiving the informational letter, only 4 of the 43 drivers/owners called prior to the event asking about the format; one had no problem with it, another was fairly okay with it once it was explained, while the other two did have reservations. On Saturday, I personally talked to over half of the racers that had questions and not one had a problem with the format.
How many series do you know that the fast qualifier is guaranteed to start on the pole? In the World of Outlaw Late Model & Sprint Car Series, the fast qualifier could start eighth, IF he transfers. The All Star Sprints invert 6 cars for their heat races and the fast qualifier could start 6th, IF he transfers. Many other series simply do pill draws or various inverts. At Lincoln Speedway this past Saturday night, the invert was 6 from qualifying for a $5,000 to-win special. Imagine, Lance Dewease set fast time and had to PASS cars to win…what a concept!
In all honesty, the format was designed for 4 heats as has been pretty much the norm at all of our Touring events. We really expected 30 cars. Maybe there should have been a smaller heat invert, say 21 for 3 heats and probably the 10 feature invert should not have been included (which was a moot point anyway).
Now here is the reasoning for the format. The invert was done so some of the slower cars would have a SHOT at MAKING the feature. The fast cars did not have to race into the top 12 (which is the top 3 or 4 spots depending on if 4 or 3 heats are run) like they do on a normal night, just into a feature TRANSFERING spot by passing one or two cars.
Those cars that didn’t transfer were lined STRAIGHT-UP on TIME for the B main. After the invert for the feature, the remainder of the transferring cars were STRAIGHT-UP on TIME…that was the purpose of qualifying. Again, to give the middle and slower cars a decent shot at making the feature, but the fast cars would not have to start behind them in the feature. So if you sand-bagged and qualified poorly, you may start up front or at the back of the heat, but if you transfer you’re going to be starting near the back of the feature. So yes there was a purpose for qualifying.
Now here is how things played out. Naysayers claim there is no passing in FASTRAK or crate racing- I think Saturday night proved any doubters wrong. In the first heat the fastest qualifier was Tommy Snyder (8th to 4th); second heat fastest qualifier was Jay Watson (8th to 1st) also Dick Barton (7th to 2nd); third heat fastest qualifier was Bobby Powell (8th to 3rd) and Max Blair 7th to 2nd. In the B main, the two fastest qualifiers were Rusty Moore and Dan Angelicchio, started 1st and 2nd and finished 1st and 2nd respectively. Then in the feature, Max Blair (5th to 1st), Dick Barton (4th to 2nd), Tommy Snyder (6th to 3rd), Dennis Lunger (11th to 4th), Butch Lambert (13th to 5th), Steve Hollabaugh (9th to 6th). Of the 18 finishers, only 5 did not advance positions.
Yes the south in general is known for their heads-ups formats in racing across the board. Southern star Shannon Buckingham led all 50 laps Saturday night in the Southeast Region First Night of the Grand Nationals. Ask Stan Lester what his thoughts are on the southern formats!
Where did anyone come up with the idea that the fast qualifier was ENTITLED to start on the pole? RACING & PASSING is what makes our sport so great!
Saturday’s winner Max Blair said, “The number one cool thing about winning this race is I passed Dick Barton”. Super Late Model winner John Mollick said, “I would have liked to put on a better show for the fans. I hate to start up front, but I’ll take it”. I’m sure E-Mod winner Joel Watson’s run from 12th to 1st passing the best in the business was more gratifying than starting from the pole and winning.
If we had any doubts that these top cars (the one’s that have the best shot at going south and doing well) couldn’t win from, as it turned out no worse than an 8th starting position, never would this format have been used. Fast qualifier, Bobby Powell, came from 8th to 3rd and at one point was in contention to win before slipping back.
The payoff was the same as Tri-City Speedway’s event, which was two days and two pit passes. These were the two richest events of the season. Yes there was a $150 entry fee Saturday, which is the standard for national events- don’t forget not only were racers racing for the highest purse of the year, but also toward the $250,000 point fund.
Mercer didn’t have to host Night 1. We always have ended our year with the Little Guy Nationals. We could have done just like last year and made the McKean Raceway final Touring event the first night of the Grand Nationals opening it up to ALL racers, not just the qualified ones or better yet you could have traveled to Lavonia, George this past Friday and Saturday for Night 1! It was a $2,000 to-win race with a $150 entry fee and probably NO tow money, like the National event at Eldora where 7 or so of our racers went out and received $0 for not making the feature. Instead we feel we did the right thing as Regional Directors by hosting this big event (approximately $10,000) at Mercer with the reality of having only approximately 30 of the qualified 43 participating (in the end just 27).
For next year Mr. Bidwell you are more than welcome to find yourself two new directors for the Northeast and we certainly hope, per you, that they have more than the mentality of a 5-year-old. Be our guest to also negotiate with the Northeast promoters to find a new home in 2009 for Night 1 of the Grand Nationals. It also shouldn’t be difficult to find a track after September 30, but before mid-October, to host an event that’s restricted to eligible racers and pay a $10,000 purse.
To address your comment Mr. Watson, wasn’t it you that said in victory lane at Mercer on August 23, “I’d like to be here every week. It’s a great race track and a great place to race. Everyone here is real professional and I appreciate them putting on the shows”.
All in all as your Northeast Regional Directors, we have been very proud and honored to bring the FASTRAK Championship Racing Series to the Northeast. We strongly believe it is a concept that is greatly needed and will always have a place to continue to grow throughout our area. We are sorry we have disappointed the FASTRAK regional racers and teams, but know that you will continue to have a bright future.
We really hope everyone has great success in the south & look forward to additional dollars being brought home in the Grand National events in addition to dollars already secured by local racers in the Regional & National Weekly point fund.
Thank you,
Mike Leone & Vicki Emig
FASTRAK Northeast Regional Directors
Mercer Raceway Park