Re: Some random thoughts
 

Mike is probably right, we did feel "bumped" a couple of years ago when a single car running not even 5 under got to run in the show, and we had to go home. I think we qualified in the 90's or low 100's, and ended up like 8th alternate. (Stacy was so depressed he went home and fell asleep, then they called him and Phil was burning up the phone trying to get him to the track. You see they had never used 8th alternate before that anyone knew.) He had spun trying to beat Wilkes(who was about 2 tenths faster) for class first round of class (usually the fastest run of Indy), and the field went around him as everyone picked up and he didnt.

I also feel for the class car that is a 100% legit combo with no after market parts, high horsepower ratings. This is exacerbated by trying to qualify against cars that have all replacement castings, bogus combo, inappropriate HP ratings, and bogus intake runner cc's. Did you know there are engines below and just over 300 cubic inches that are so bogus their published intake runners are bigger than most Pontiac, Olds, and Buick 455's?

There really are in my opinion nearly equal substantive and legitimate issues on both sides.

Re: Some random thoughts
 

I ask Alex all the time when he is going to do another one . . . maybe one every TEN years?

"Welcome to the 2nd decade-annual USCN 2011!"

LOL I will keep working on him. ;)

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Two thoughts: when Dwight posts, people should listen...he is one of about a dozen that sets the Gold Standard for insightful historical perspective

Second, to Beth & Alex...I know the first USCN about killed off 'ol Alex, agree or disagree with him, but he let it all hang out to try to offer an alternative to the "way we were". IF, a USCN part 2 becomes a reality, and IF its held somewhere in the middle of the country, say Joliet, Earlville or Topeka, my company will be one of the first to post $.

Re: Some random thoughts
 

Hey Fred
You should shut your mouth you have nothing better to do then keep
track of what Art, Jim, and myself race.
Well the reason I haven't my wife was battling cancer she passed away
in December 2007. And what Bill Belden put your money where your
mouth is.

Re: Some random thoughts
 

And Fred, not that it is any of your business but I will not be at Indy, probably ever again. I have a bone disease called MDS (google it) and would be physically unable to do Indy. Feel better now asshole! Jim

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Dwight that is probably the best post with analogies to back it up that I have read! Mike Carr, you would have enjoyed the era that you are talking about. Tear down @ 3:00 in the morning, in the rain, under a tarp with headlights and droplights while the tech guys and div director slept in a car. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Hard as hell but the accomplishment, and satisfaction was/is unequaled. Remember the old saying: What dosen't kill you will only make you stronger? If you weren't tearing down alot you knew you needed to work some more. At least you knew what your goal was and how to achieve it.


And that last part about the USCN is very true. USCN: It wasn't perfect. Hot as hell. But it was one good time! With a hooking track. All those that helped to put this on were racers and it was a racer's race. Not this watered down crap that we have shoved down our throat with a new change or rule of the week.

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Mike if NHRA did away with wagons I would just build something different. Stock and Superstock cars are best of the best. These classes are not cheep to run and If money is the issue don't race a class car. Stock and Superstock are not for everyone and that is what makes it not a bracket race.

Re: Some random thoughts
 

Started racing in Stock with this car in 1994. Set the BF/S record @ 14.13 on a tired engine and AF/S record @ 13.26 on a fresh engine. First 13 second FWD stocker and first over 100 MPH. A/C still functioning. That's because I still drove it on the street. Mustangs hated it!

Dwight,
Well written (as always)!

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Jeff where is the AMX?

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LOVE IT!!! I've been told to get a utility trailer and drive the Shadow to the div. meets, bolt on the slicks, have fun, swap back out and "hopefully" drive home.

I know back when you did it, there wasn't near the knowledge or support we have now. That 13 was a nice feat back then.