Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Steve Williams

Lyn,

I can only surmise that it was bad timing for the NHRA guys with Bowling Green two weeks away, Indy three weeks away and Brainerd this weekend. I will throw in a bad economy just for good measure.

Good points but it all comes down to one thing -- money .......or should I say lack of it .

[jdfpam]

I agree with Jack, lack of money (my own and lack of contingency) is the main reasons for me for sure!! We used to support this race every year. Love the track, just too much going on called life, I guess. I will agree that no class racing plus the NHRA race in Brainerd had to have hurt them. They probably would have been better off using the old date (1st weekend August). Also, in those earlier years, you got points to go to Nationals, so that would make them more desirable to run if you were into points.

Does anyone know if it took a really long time to park late Thursday night? I always hated that about Martin. Every National that I ever went to there took hours to get from the gate to the pit spot. I never understood that because it didn't happen at other tracks.

Oh well...........Good job Myron on representing the stockers and footbrakers in the Moser race!!

Jeff Day
#3731

[Beth Denysenko]

I think they parked until 10 or 11 pm, and we got there about 7:00 pm Thursday and was in our pit spot within about 15 minutes. Spent more time in line getting credentials than it took to park. I am sure it was quite a wait when they opened parking though.

Brainerd was up against this race last year as well. They did have stock class last year and they actually ran for class. You lined up and raced for it. This year, only Superstock class here and it was off qualifying, not raced for. And no pictures taken as with the car, driver and IHRA official as before, just hand you a plaque at the time booth. No fun in that! Same in Rockingham. Just off qualifying. Kinda lazy if you ask me.

[tpoh815]

"A few reasons and one of the main ones might be the fact that IHRA decided to NOT run STOCK CLASS runoffs at this event in 2010".
Phil why would this matter at all, its not like the "Class Win" is worth it in any sanction! My .02.

[Dave Turner]

Well, it's like this,

I stayed home this weekend to support our Can Am Stock/SS series because the Martin race dates were finalized after our schedule was released.

A 2 hr tow to the track; won 2 rounds and went home with $150. We had 39 cars and the racing is extremely competetive. I too love the Martin track, but the de-emphasis on the ceremonial aspect of class run-offs makes the Nitro Jam event even less attractive. Add on the 9 hour tow, give or take, and the decision was easy.

[Beth Denysenko]

MIA and normally there - Bob & Craig Marshall and their four cars, Jeltmas and their two cars, Brent Darroch and his two cars, Bill, Brad & Shane Zaskowski and their three cars just to name a few.

I really hate the way they are "running" class this year. Why even bother having it? There is no contigency to speak of, you don't even get a chance to race for it - and the kicker, no picture to buy if you want one for your sponsors or family . . . .

NHRA hasn't been much better this year, though it has had to do with weather. Again at Brainerd, they had to cancel class run offs due to the weather and went with the higher qualified car. I am not sure how many times this has happened, but it seems it has happened quite a few times this year and it's unfortunate for all. There is too much scheduled. Snowmobiles need track time too, righ? 10 lbs. of crap in a 5 lb. bag.

[Jim Kaekel]

I think there are a lot of reasons for the disappearing car and spectator counts that occurred at US-131 this past weekend including the economy, the hot/humid weather, the change in direction of IHRA, and of course, the Torco fiasco.

[Harry 6674]

Originally Posted by tpoh815

"A few reasons and one of the main ones might be the fact that IHRA decided to NOT run STOCK CLASS runoffs at this event in 2010".
Phil why would this matter at all, its not like the "Class Win" is worth it in any sanction! My .02.

If a class win is not worth it why are you racing in stock class? A class win should be whats its about. No shoe polish tuneups allowed.

[Jim Woods]

all class winner pics were taken at the tech trailer at the end of round 2 qualifying

[Phil Veldheer Racing]

First off, I like the IHRA and I like all the people you deal with when you come to an IHRA race. The tech people, the gate people and even the parking people at the Nitro Jam at US 131 this past weekend and for the last several years HAVE BEEN GREAT.

To TRO815-Why I class race when it doesn't pay anything? WOW. I have been a class racer since 1967 (the year I graduated from High School) when I built a 56 Chevy wagon for H/SA to race at INDY. THE LAST thing on my mind going to INDY was what it paid. My 265 -2/4 barrel-hydraulic cam-fenderwell header equipped wagon ran the 1966 winner Jerry Robinson ?? in the first round of class and got spanked. It took every penny I made working two park time jobs all through high school and full time all summer to even build the car. I was happy to be there. Didn't Wenzel win that year? Didn't Big Daddy shave his beard that year? The moral of the story is I didn't have a pot to pee in and didn't have a chance to win class. I've stuck with it and simple things like setting or resetting an IHRA class record is why I stick with it, or winning class. I hope IHRA comes back next year and decides to run STOCK class runoffs again. A simple wall plaque with class winner on it is all I need. Sure it would be nice to get 50.00 from Hedman, Autometer, M/T, Moroso, etc. But those days are HISTORY. Maybe people that are younger (I am 61, but feel 30) have different ideas on class racing. It is expensive and we are getting more scarce every year. All I hope is someone at IHRA decides to bring class eliminations back in 2011.

I can think of other reasons for a smaller crowd although Saturday night is was pretty good. The NASCAR race less than two hours away. Several of the car show people that come to one race a year to watch didn't show at this event as a HUGE custom car show event was 45 minutes north.

I know I am rambling on, but if someone plans on making any money class racing, Unless you are a traveling pro forget about it.

Several years ago a guy bought a used dragster that was raced weekly at US 131. He bought is and was going to PAY for it by winning the $1200.00 he was going to win each week when he won SUPER PRO at US 131 Dragway. I watched him lose in the first round for seven straight weeks. He never showed up again and I've never seen the dragster again.

I entered the 2001 Class Nationals with two race cars and I knew both cars were not going to win class, but I went anyway and man am I glad I did. I would have a lot better chance now, what about it Alex?

Phil