2014 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Schedule

[Larry Hill]

1 grade point. To get a grade point you have to pass tech.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Greg Hill

I'm really glad to see St Louis back on the d3 schedule, but really the first week in August. Have any of you been to St.Louis then? Can you say heat indexes over 100. I realize it's hard to find a free weekend but that has to be one of the worst weather wise.

Sort of like when the geniuses moved Mepmhpis to August. There were times we sat in Memphis and watched them haul heat exhaustion patients out in ambulances at the rate of 2-3 an hour.

When you do that sort of thing you kill a race, for fans and for racers.
Is it any surprise when the tracks either go broke, or quit hosting those
races?

When will they learn that for the vast majority of competitors and spectators, racing is a leisure activity? It is reasonable to expect to be relatively comfortable. Fans do not want to seat in blistering heat and suffocating humidity, and watch a small field of slow cars. Racers don't want to sit in that any more than the fans do, and they don't want to go slow, either.

Sorry, changing the entire tune up of the car, still going 2 tenths slower, and needing to drink a gallon of water and two quarts of Gatorade to avoid a trip to the emergency room ain't my idea of fun.

[Marty Knox]

I see Stanton is no longer on the schedule. I thought they might move it to Milan, but now we have no NHRA events in Michigan.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by jmcarter

I missed that; but you're right, that will kill Atlanta. Alan has some good points but they'll never have a November race in D2, think they like the championship races to come to a head in Vegas.

Well, they do funnel everything toward the west coast in October and November. At least to a degree. And I can see how that is reasonable, for travel time and expenses for racers who are racing for a world title.

Hey, I bet we'd be willing to go to Reynolds the 3rd weekend of October and then to Bristol on the 4th weekend. Or move Reynolds to the first or second weekend.

[luckydog]

Originally Posted by Marty Knox

I see Stanton is no longer on the schedule. I thought they might move it to Milan, but now we have no NHRA events in Michigan.

I don't believe Milan would want the race if it were offered too them......Would be fine with me tho...90 miles from home. Personally, I liked going to Stanton. The car count however proved my opinion is the minority.

[Michael Beard]

In late October and early November, Bristol is liable to have high temps in the mid 40's.

Scheduling is a very difficult proposition, as you have to contend with not only weather and other Nat'l/Div'l events, but also each track's own schedule, outside promoter events, regional non-racing events, holidays, etc. There are multiple weekends when there are even 3-4 NHRA events on top of each other. I printed out a blank calendar and filled in all known dates so far... and I've got as many as 9 major events on the same date, already!

For the Class Nationals, we've got Atlanta and Ennis LODRS events on top of us, which is actually about as good as you're going to get for conflicts. The week before us, we have the Indy LODRS, less than 4 hours away, that people can use to make a swing out of the trip. Those two weeks are bookended by a buffer of Easter and Mother's Day.

[Mickey Whaley]

moving Gainesville pts race was stupid, why not get it done while everyone is already down there?

[Pete Beau]

Originally Posted by Marty Knox

I see Stanton is no longer on the schedule. I thought they might move it to Milan, but now we have no NHRA events in Michigan.

Northern D-3 racers now have (2) 10+ hour tows.

[SSDA Hemi]

Originally Posted by jmcarter

Bet you are glad about Orlando after your great win there a couple of years ago. Bet it gives you a good opportunity to take your Ducati for a spin in seventy degree temps, right?

You're right about that Jim! First weekend of February we're lucky if temps are in the twenties up North here! Much nicer down south with my division 2 buddies!

Gainesville/Reynolds races gives points chasers one or two more chances before schedule ends out west! But I agree with you Mickey. Really loved the Orlando/Gainesville opener. And then three weeks later, Gatornationals...

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

In late October and early November, Bristol is liable to have high temps in the mid 40's.

Scheduling is a very difficult proposition, as you have to contend with not only weather and other Nat'l/Div'l events, but also each track's own schedule, outside promoter events, regional non-racing events, holidays, etc. There are multiple weekends when there are even 3-4 NHRA events on top of each other. I printed out a blank calendar and filled in all known dates so far... and I've got as many as 9 major events on the same date, already!

For the Class Nationals, we've got Atlanta and Ennis LODRS events on top of us, which is actually about as good as you're going to get for conflicts. The week before us, we have the Indy LODRS, less than 4 hours away, that people can use to make a swing out of the trip. Those two weeks are bookended by a buffer of Easter and Mother's Day.

All valid points Michael.

If we're going to talk about weather, there are worse scheduling problems than possible cold at Bristol. There's a couple of races that get at least near rained out every year, and never get moved. Simply put, there's just no need to put both Bristol races at that time of the year. Spring or fall would be far better, and Bristol was in the spring for a long time.