INDY (still the best.... but....)

[Wade_Owens]

A tech official jumped on me about not being pulled far enough up. I told him I always check in to let them know I was nearby and ready and couldnt help it that you couldnt get past the cars with their asses stuck out in the road. I had already checked, my guy wasnt in the lanes yet, why add to the mess? If I had pulled past other cars, it would have created more congestion, then what? The bottleneck was way worse this year than it had been for some reason and caused some of the officials to be more "edgy" than normal.

As for the ice, if you leave any on the start line, dq them. You can shake some of it off before you hit the water box. The Emmons gang can show you the dry hop technique if needed! But, only allowing it before the lanes will REALLY cause some to be late for pairings.

My .02 cents, which aint worth squat....

Wade O

[KRatcliff]

It looks like the rule book reads differently than what the cooling police were enforcing. Note: the staging area is the staging lanes.

Under General Regulations Section 20 Page 5

Fuel/Air: Any method of artificially cooling or heating fuel prohibited (i.e., cool cans, Freon, wet rags, etc.), except as noted in Class Requirements. Cool cans, wet towels, etc. are permitted in Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, and E.T. classes. Wet towels, rags, ice, etc. must be removed before vehicle leaves staging area. Ambient-temperature air only; cooling or otherwise changing the conditions of the intake air is prohibited. Spraying of intake with any artificial spray or coolant prohibited.

[cicero819]

Thomas let me thank you for the great pics, anymore will be appreciated. No ladder for the first round for stock, super stock I saw how panic they were trying to pair up everyone, second round could be a little more manageable. If you wan't to give a show to the spectators maybe handicap the start just like elimination. I know as a spectator I found it dangerous just walking through the pits as racers after racers were trying to get past the oval to get into the staging lanes. No ice past the first spectator cross over, this would allow 100' of dry asphalt(not a problem this year with the heat dissipating the water anyways) and no water cooling device in the lanes or in the oval(your pit only if you're lucky enough to be pitted first)Mind you I saw a racer in Super stock with his hood open when paired up and ready to run, he was upset when the senior tech official close his hood for him and told not too do it again, he didn't understand that he was slowing the line.lol Give the buy run if it's available to one of the first ten to show up, this might be an incentive to get up there quick. As a spectator I enjoyed watching same class runoffs but as a racer I can understand the hell it can be if you have a staging **** yelling and shouting at everyone since he's under the gun also(or maybe just a little overzealous with power) Claude

[Larry Hill]

I observed Jerry Emmons preparing his car for a qualifying run in the staging lanes. All ice had been removed, he was using a towel to absorb the remaining water, then the remaining moisture was blown away using a blow nozzle that was hooked to an air tank. The result was a dry engine that was cool as a cucumber. Did I mention the car is a bullet?

[cicero819]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

I observed Jerry Emmons preparing his car for a qualifying run in the staging lanes. All ice had been removed, he was using a towel to absorb the remaining water, then the remaining moisture was blown away using a blow nozzle that was hooked to an air tank. The result was a dry engine that was cool as a cucumber. Did I mention the car is a bullet?

One of the best way for sure, Larry how long have you been using the grassy knoll?lol Claude

[Dyno]

It may have been difficult to pair up, but it is the only fair way to do it. No one can play games with who they feel they can race and beat. I think most spectators that care about class run-offs are smart enough to figure it out. Dyno

[Lynn A McCarty]

Bald spots were avoidable except #4 qualifying attempt. The whole starting line was a bald spot. We hit the rev limiter at 8k on that one.