Purses, Payouts, and Positions

Below you will see a sample of Late Model purses for two different night race tracks located within reasonable distance from each other.  The total payout at Track #1 is slightly less, but they pay more money to start.  Track #2, however, pays better from second through tenth.  I'd like your thoughts as to which purse is better an why?


Please post your thoughts at the end of this blog.  Thanks!!


TRACK #1
1. 1200
2. 700
3. 500
4. 400
5. 300
6. 280
7. 250
8. 230
9. 220
10. 220
11. 220
12. 220
13. 220
14. 220
15. 220
16. 220
17. 220
18. 220
19. 220
20. 220
TOTAL PURSE = $6500


TRACK #2
1. 1200
2. 900
3. 750
4. 550
5. 500
6. 350
7. 300
8. 275
9. 265
10. 260
11. 230
12. 200
13. 200
14. 200
15. 200
16. 200
17. 200
18. 200
19. 200
20. 200
TOTAL PURSE = $7405

TRIVIA TUESDAY: Name This Track

Welcome to this week's version of Trivia Tuesday!  The first person to correctly identify this race track wins a free t-shirt from our sponsor Wide Open Graphics of Lima, Ohio.  Please refer to the rules below.

Nobody was able to guess last week's track as Fayette County Speedway in West Union, Iowa.  I attended a midweek show there in July of 2007 in which Steve "Ace" Ihm passed (I believe) Chad Simpson with two laps remaining to grab the win.

Trivia Tuesday Rules:

• Must be a blog follower to guess (see instructions below on "how to follow this blog")
• No more than two guesses per follower
• Must respond to this post using your "follower name"
• Contest ends this Friday at 5:00pm.  If no one guesses correctly by then, the name of the track will be revealed during next week's Trivia Tuesday.
• As always, we ask that previous contest winners give others a chance to win.  Please wait 30 days before entering another contest.  :)

Weekend Afterthoughts

Periodically throughout the racing season, I'll post my "Weekend Afterthoughts" on Monday mornings. It's simply a collection of my thoughts on various racing topics of interest from the past weekend.  While most of the "afterthoughts" will pertain to regional racing action, a few mentions will cover national topics.   Enjoy!     -DJ-

Devin Shiels notched his first ever Attica win Saturday night.

• The "too many provisionals" thing took another spin this weekend at the Illini 100 when nearly 1/4 of the World of Outlaws Late Models 28 starters were provisionals in the A-Main (six provisionals total; four of which were emergency provisionals).  Terrible.  I understand the emergency provisionals "give up" their starting money, but that doesn't make it better nor does that make it right.  Enough is enough.
• Butch McGill got the win Saturday night at Tyler County's season opener which drew a strong field of 27 cars.  McGill's been racing seemingly forever and the guy's as good as he was when he started racing nearly 40 years ago.  Hats off to Butch and his crew on the win.
• Devin Shiels bested a field of 25 cars at Attica Raceway Park Saturday night in an event that was postponed a day due to rain.  The win was Shiels' first at Attica and the first in the state of Ohio for the Britton, Michigan driver.  
• I was surprised that Hilltop Speedway's season opener Saturday night only drew 13 Late Models.
• I was equally surprised that Moler's opener Friday night only had 11 Late Models.  
• Did anybody else notice Bob Adams Jr.'s name in the rundown from Tyler County Speedway?  Talk about veterans, "The Bandit" practically owned the Mid-Ohio Valley about 20 years ago.  Great to see him back behind the wheel.
• How about the run by BJ Gregory Saturday night at Attica?!  A regular in the Oakshade Sportsman division, Gregory threw a quick change in the car, bolted on some Late Model tires, and was literally off to the races.  He was quite impressive, running second for a good portion of the race, before being passed by Chris Ross with just a few laps remaining.
• Greg Johnson's 9th place finish in the Illini 100 continues to prove what I have said for the years...the guy's a wheelman.  Plain and simple, he can drive a race car.
• I-77 Raceway Park in Fairplain, WV has announced their season opener (originally scheduled for April 7th) has been pushed back due to the track work not being 100% finished yet.  
• I was in my car and driving home at 10:00pm Saturday night at Attica. That's impressive.
• Brandon Green looks like a driver to keep your eyes on at Florence this year. He finished 3rd in Saturday night's $2000-to-win race (behind Scott James and Brad Neat), and was 15th in the $5000-to-win Spring 50.
• It's looking like Attica will have a pretty nice field of cars for this weekend's double-header...especially Friday night.  Look for Russ King, Garrett Krummert, Brian Ruhlman, and a few others to make an appearance.
• Pet Peeve of the Week:  People who start a "race results" topic on a message board...only to post a link to another website, thus not giving you any actual results without an extra click (taking you to THEIR website).  #annoying

Opening Night Excitement

Is there anything more exciting than Opening Night at your favorite race track? Seriously.  The only thing I can think of that I can get this pumped about is probably the the first day of deer season.


You know guys have been cooped up all winter and are itching to race, just as you or I have been cooped up all winter and are itching to SEE a race.  You know, more times than not, the track's going to be tacky with hammer-down balls-to-the-wall racing.  You know you're going to see a lot of your racing buddies you haven't seen in months.  And you know you're going to find some way to enjoy yourself no matter what the racing is like and no matter how cold it might be.


For me, it's kind of like the first day of gun season.  Your heart's beating just a little more.  Your ears are perked up and listening for every sound...even if it's just a squirrel shuffling through the leaves.  You're cold, but you manage to sit tight and not move a muscle in anticipation of what might be coming around that old logging road just off to your right.  You've seen a couple nice bucks on the trail cam.  A few of them were just too far out reach during bow season.  And now, you're ready for that wide-ranked, high-tined 11 point to come walking under your treestand. 


I don't know about you, but things like that get my blood pumping.  


For those of you going to an Opening Night at your favorite race track this weekend, enjoy it.  And don't forget to say "thank you" to the drivers and track officials who are "puttin' on a show" and giving you an evening full of entertainment.  

PREVIEW: Attica Opener

Not too many years ago, I wasn't a fan of Attica Raceway Park in Attica, OH.  It may have been because they only ran a Limited Late Model division with their two classes of Sprints.  Or maybe it was because I seemed to have trouble obtaining media credentials every time I went there.  


Or perhaps I just never really gave them a fair chance because of those things.


Anyway you look at it, I'm a fan now.  A big fan.  As a matter of fact, I went to Attica nine times last year.  Nine!  To put that in perspective, in one single season, I have NEVER gone to a track I didn't work for more than five times. Never.


That is...until Attica last season.


There's a few different reasons I try not to attend too many races at one single track in a season.  One of the biggest of which is the fact that I don't want to "overstay my welcome".  Because I'm fortunate enough to obtain media credentials at almost all the events I go to, part of me feels like I shouldn't "overuse" that pass.  Although I always try my best to give the tracks (and their drivers) as much exposure as possible, it's hard to not feel a little, um, "shy" about being at one track so often.  And I think if you ask any member of the media, they are likely to say the same thing.


With that in mind, I didn't realize until just a few minutes ago that I attended nine shows at Attica last year.  I was guessing the number was more like five or six.  While I do keep track of all the races I go to, I don't keep a running tally.


There's several reasons that number was so high last year.  Being an hour from home, it's an easy Friday night target.  In addition, they run a tight ship and get fans out at a decent hour.  I'm almost positive I didn't leave the track later than 11:00pm in those nine visits last season.  That's impressive.


Then there's Director of Operations Rex LeJeune.  Rex and I became friends about four years ago...around the same time Attica made the decision to go with a full-blown Late Model division and get it sanctioned by UMP.  Rex has welcomed me to Attica with open arms and has become one of my favorite people to work with.  He cares a great deal about the track, the fans, and the drivers and that passion shows.  Since Rex and I have become friends, the aforementioned credentials problems have been non existent.


The other reason Attica has quickly risen to the top group of my "favorite tracks" list is simple. The racing is absolutely outstanding.  Side-by-side is the norm at Attica and, with a pill draw format (and redraws for the feature), you're almost assured to see a good race.  Last year, they averaged 29 Late Models per race, and the winner's average starting spot was 7.25.  In addition, they only had two Late Model feature winners start on the front row.  TWO!  Very few tracks can lay claim to an accomplishment as great as that.

Jon Henry led the way with eight A-Main wins at Attica in 2011.  The "Steel Driver's" most impressive accomplishment was his June 3rd victory, where he rallied from his 16th starting position to grab the win over 17th-starting Jeff Babcock.  Despite being held winless in 2011, Ryan Missler is the three-time and defending Late Model Track Champion at the 1/3-mile fairgrounds oval.


Attica is one of just a handful of tracks to feature both Super Late Models AND 410 Sprints.  The racing is solid and the program is typically run off without a hitch. Announcer Brian Liskai is sharp in rattling off drivers, hometowns, and sponsors.  The people are friendly and the atmosphere is strong.  If these are the things you like in a race track, you need make it a point to get to Attica's season opener this weekend.


Racing is slated to begin at 7:45pm Friday evening.  If Mother Nature spoils the party Friday night, they'll use their early-season Saturday raindate with racing starting a tad earlier at 7:00pm.


A few drivers who like to pop in and visit Attica occasionally won't be at the opener. George Lee will be out of town while Garrett Krummert, Doug Drown, and Rocky Owens aren't ready yet.  Alan Vochaska is putting a new motor in his car, and Brian Ruhlman is just getting his Late Model finished.


But if Attica does indeed get to race Friday night, look for Henry and Missler to be joined by Russ King, Ryan Markham, and Justin Chance among others to contend for the Late Model win.  


Nevertheless, Attica's season opener will not disappoint.  To say I'm excited for their season to start would be an understatement.  I can't wait.

Trivia Tuesday UPDATE

Still no winner in this week's Trivia Tuesday...of course, when I featured a track that doesn't run weekly, I expected it to take folks a few days to figure out.


Remember, the rules for playing Tuesday Trivia are listed below.  Make sure you give both the track name AND location.

BREAKING NEWS: Danica Patrick Driving Jon Henry's Car at Prelude

When Eldora Speedway announced that Danica Patrick would be racing in their Feed The Children Prelude to the Dream on Wednesday, June 6, many folks began asking which Dirt Late Model driver would be fielding a car for the popular female racer.  The answer is 2011 Eldora Speedway Late Model Champion Jon Henry.

During the last several months, parties from Jon Henry Racing and Danica Patrick's team have been working diligently to get the deal in place.  Patrick was looking for a top notch ride and Henry was looking for a popular driver.  When an agreement was reached, both sides were excited about having Patrick race for charity in one of the country's premier Dirt Late Model events.

"What an awesome opportunity!" said Henry.  "To have Danica drive my car at the Prelude is really special.  My team and I are certainly looking forward to it and I know Danica is too."

“I raced on dirt once before in a go-kart when I was young, but that’s about it. It’s going to be a challenge for sure, but I know Tony has offered to help in any way possible. I’m excited about it, but I’m also nervous,” Patrick said in an Eldora Speedway press release. “It’s a totally different style of racing, so I’m not sure what to expect. But, it’s for a great cause with Feed The Children benefiting from the money raised this year, so I’m ready to give it a shot.”

Henry, a two-time Sunoco American Late Model Series Champion, last fielded a car in the Prelude to the Dream in 2010.  The driver of his car that year was another worldwide motorsports star, Travis Pastrana.  Pastrana finished 23rd in his dirt track debut, but stated the opportunity to race a Dirt Late Model was something he'd never forget.

For more information on Jon Henry, visit his website at www.jonhenryracing.com.

TRIVIA TUESDAY: Name This Track

Welcome to this week's version of Trivia Tuesday!  The first person to correctly identify this race track wins a free t-shirt from our sponsor Wide Open Graphics of Lima, Ohio.  

Trivia Tuesday Rules:

• Must be a blog follower to guess (see instructions below on "how to follow this blog")
• No more than two guesses per follower
• Must respond to this post using your "follower name"
• Contest ends this Friday at 5:00pm.  If no one guesses correctly by then, the name of the track will be revealed during next week's Trivia Tuesday.
• As always, we ask that previous contest winners give others a chance to win.  Please wait 30 days before entering another contest.  :)

Congrats to Julian Roberts from Pittsburgh, PA who correctly named last week's mystery track as Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, NY.