Misconception on a slow stocker winning

[Michael Colaluca]

I have been on both extremes on this situation. I have raced an A/SA, L/SA, and P/SA cars for 10 years now.

For me, the faster car was easier to judge at the finish line. I could take .010 at the stripe, comfortably knowing where I was. In our L/SA and P/SA cars, it gets a little hairy cutting it that close when you are running a big MPH car.

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by Michael Colaluca

I have been on both extremes on this situation. I have raced an A/SA, L/SA, and P/SA cars for 10 years now.

For me, the faster car was easier to judge at the finish line. I could take .010 at the stripe, comfortably knowing where I was. In our L/SA and P/SA cars, it gets a little hairy cutting it that close when you are running a big MPH car.

Michael, I couldn't agree with you more. That said, I wish I could be 1/3 as good at racing slower rollers as "Jody Lang", and "Billy Nees" (those two are aces at racing cars that run L/SA, or slower)! My problem is lack of money, and seat time...the former will be improved upon next summer when my truck is paid off (YEAH!!!), and the latter will be helped out greatly by that as well. Being a check-book racer doesn't help matters much, but it's getting easier as the months go by.....

[cicero819]

Well maybe Harry Doolittle win will help demystify the myth that you need a fast car to win, I know it was in Super Stock but he did it with a stocker. He did cause three of his opponents to red light.

[Dennis P Chapman]

Originally Posted by cicero819

Well maybe Harry Doolittle win will help demystify the myth that you need a fast car to win, I know it was in Super Stock but he did it with a stocker. He did cause three of his opponents to red light.

Hey a win is a win anyway you can get it Lol.

[philbilly]

Slow Cars rule. Especially a fast slow car....

[The Hawk]

Harry Doolittle is my hero!

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by The Hawk

Harry Doolittle is my hero!

x2 for Harry from me too Lane, but you're a hero also for how great you did in '96, with an even slower roller!!!

[Mark Yacavone]

Bringing 'em back alive today.....

Since this thread's pause, Gary Hampton has won a Div. 7 race and a local S/SS combo,...So I've got you covered here, Gary.
Now, moving on...Lots of talk about predicting the dial -in here, but not much discussion on the first big factor that's necessary....I don't mean luck ,either ;-)

[djm670]

Originally Posted by The Hawk

Harry Doolittle is my hero!

Harry is my hero too! Could not have been more proud of him when he won in SS. There was no quit in Harry! But more proud to just call him a friend!

[djm670]

Originally Posted by cicero819

Well maybe Harry Doolittle win will help demystify the myth that you need a fast car to win, I know it was in Super Stock but he did it with a stocker. He did cause three of his opponents to red light.

I think Harry would be the first to tell you that it would be easier to win with a quicker/faster car! My view of a slow stocker with very little chance to win is that of 4 or 6 cylinder with a small carb - probably T/SA or slower which are the ones that are very difficult to dial over a 4 or 5 day race (not many of those now adays - but still holds true where you have to run first round early in the morning without a time trial). Most of these cars are capable of being low qualifier as they have not had many people racing them, getting them consistently factored over the years. But it's one thing to qualify low vs going on to win the race. Lot easer 1976 and earlier when you could run flat out... Wallace and Reider Pinto Wagon .. comes to mind.

I drove Harry's Comet with a stick in it for about 3/4 of a year - the fall of 76 thru the Summernationals in 77. Made it to the semi finals of stock at Englishtown that year with the car and broke out (air was getting better as the afternoon cooled off and progressed into early evening) We used to use carb gaskets with smaller bores in them to restrict the performance. Put the smallest one we had in for that semi final race and still broke out. I said that's it, I am not running a slow car again that is so weather dependent and I didn't.

This thread has been an interesting read. I have started it a few times, but this is the first time I have read it to the end. I loved class racing when I raced; always worked hard to be the fastest in class as that meant something to me. I admire those who can continue to race without winning on a fairly consistent basis. Those that struggle with front wheel drive vehicles. I believe my friend Billy Owen has finally sold his front wheel drive race car and is going back to his Camaro. It is so hard to be consistent for 7 rounds in one of them. Mark Y, you are forever one of my hero's. And Gary Hampton; more power to you, hope you achieve your financial freedom and achieve your racing dreams! I was impressed with your D7 win a year or two ago.

When one's racing career is finished, I don't think it will be the wins and records one set; but the many friends all over the country that he has made that makes the journey so worth while! Going to a good friends birthday tomorrow that won division and national meets with what many considered slow cars in the L thru N or O class automatics classes and hope to see many other old stock racers there.

Now why are they live streaming the D1 Atco race and not the Joliet D3 race? Why not both?