12/20/06
PAVEMENT NOTES:
by Walt Stubbs
The one thing I have learned
in covering auto racing is that you can not please everybody, be it the
drivers, owners, track operators, fans, or even us media members. It just
can't happen, no matter how hard you try or not try. Thus, it was with a
sense of curiousness that I headed up I-95 to attend this year's NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour banquet to not only celebrate the past year,
culminating with Mike Stefanik celebrating his record tying ninth NASCAR
Championship and seventh in a modified, but to see and hear what some of the
drivers, owners, track operators, fans and even media members felt about the
just recently released 2007 schedule. When I initially saw the schedule on
Thursday afternoon heading up to New Hampshire with Howie and Mary Hodge, I
figured more than a few drivers would have some issues with the "Flash"
events that were added. News flash; a Flash event is either an event
featuring twin 50 lap qualifying races followed by a 50 lap feature or an
event featuring twin 60 lap qualifying races followed by a 70 lap feature
race. The "Flash" events with the 50 lap format are at Wall Township
Speedway on Sunday May 6th and at Twin State Speedway (the old Claremont
Speedway) on Sunday July 8th. The 70 lap feature is to be run at Riverhead
on Saturday August 4th. And as I said, you can't please everybody. However,
more than a few drivers were taking a wait and see approach. Jamie Tomaino,
who has raced more Tour races than anyone, is a former Champion of the Tour
and who was honored on Saturday Evening with the Dedication award along with
his wife Cheryl, was diplomatic. I think NASCAR had to try something to get
some of these tracks to sign up, said Tomaino. I spoke to a few of the
people in NASCAR and I think they are looking at is as an experimentation,
with nothing set in stone. They're obviously a few issues that need to be
worked out and I hope they have most of them resolved by the time we get to
Wall. Who would have thought that Wall, of all places, will be the place
where this first takes place?
My thoughts exactly. A month ago who would have thought Wall
would have even been on the schedule, let alone the first race for this
'Flash' format to be tested at? Some of the teams had some interesting
points regarding the heat races for qualifying. Some wondered, since you
allegedly will be using the same tires in the heats as the feature, what
would happen if Mike Stefanik or someone else high in points decided to just
pull in during his heat race and use a provisional so he could save 50 laps
of wear and tear on his tires? Then what? Some also posed what would happen
if one of the top point runners wrecked in the heat and his car couldn't be
fixed in time for the feature. Could he use a back up car? What if he didn't
have a back up car? All of these are legitimate questions that need to be
addressed before the season kicks off on April 15th at the Icebreaker at
Thompson. Ed Flemke, who finished second in points to Stefanik, probably
summed up the kinks that need to be worked out this way, I'm going to be as
optimistic as I can. I'm going to sum it up this way. In order for us to be
successful we need to keep the teams, track operators, NASCAR, sponsors, and
the fans happy. We have a four prong investment. If these races are good for
all four entities, I'm all for it. If it's good for one or two, then I'm not
for it. It's that simple. I think we need to do some things to bring us to a
new place or level but if it doesn't help all four, then it isn't going to
work. As a die hard modified fan, we need to shake things up. Racing in
general needs to be shaken up. Look at the Nextel Cup. You want to talk
about a sleeping pill solution. That Series is too long, and more
importantly, too expected. Even our race at Loudon, that is usually a great
race, but it can even be better if shaken up. Why is every race there 100
laps? Why not 125 lap or 75 lapper so you don't know what's always going to
happen. So if we need to do these heat races, then I'm all for it because if
standing on your head spitting nickels brings people in the stands and puts
money in the pockets of the tracks, car owners, and drivers and the fans get
a good race, then I'm for it. However, if it stinks for two or three of us,
then I'm not for it.
Needless to say, NASCAR will hopefully be listening to all of
those people who have a vested interest in the Tour and come up with the
best way to go forward. One issue of note that really wasn't touched on has
to do with the potential All Star race scheduled for October 19-20. Rumor
had it that the race would be held in Irwindale, California but no sight was
given on the schedule. If it is California, some people are concerned with
the date, which is just one week later than the final race at Thompson on
October 14th. It's a lot to ask for team to leave Connecticut on Sunday and
be in California five days later. Why not have the race scheduled for
October 26th? Or if Irwindale has another event scheduled for that date, why
not at another track? Also, a reasonable expense allowance by NASCAR would
be nice to help the teams in there travel efforts.
NASCAR and the Mohegan Sun did put on a nice event, as always
for the teams at this year's banquet. A lot of people remarked how cool it
was to see banners hanging of every modified champion hanging with the
American Flag on the wall. A classy speech was given by Stefanik, who got
choked up when mentioning his mentor and the man he is tied with for most
NASCAR championships, Richie Evans. I'm sure Stefanik will be shooting for
one more for the second thumb next year. Also, it was also good to see his
car owner, Eric Sanderson, get his first championship as well as Chris
Kopec, who handed over the seat to Stefanik. It will be interesting to see
how Stefanik does in Lake Placid New York in a few weeks when instead of
taking on Thompson or Stafford, he will be taking on the bobsled run in a
vehicle with no wheels.
Earlier in the week, I was fortunate enough to get up to New
Hampshire for there banquet/Christmas party to honor there champions Mike
Olsen from the Busch East and John Blewett III in the mods. Unfortunately,
Blewett got delayed in trying to fly from Florida up to New Hampshire and
was a last minute scratch. His friend and sponsor, Bob McHugh was on hand to
accept on Blewett's behalf. By the way, both modified races at New Hampshire
are scheduled for Saturdays in 2007. The first is June 30th while the fall
race is set for September 15th. As I always preach, if you want to watch
real racing, head to Loudon and watch the modifieds. Well, that'll do it for
this week. Hope everyone has a healthy and joyous Holiday Season. And, in
ending, we wondered whatever happened to Jeff Spraker? And This Week's Quote
of The Week comes from Jamie Tomaino, on the Flash Schedule, 'Who knows, the
Flash Schedule could be gone in a flash.' All views and news can reach me at
2 Constitution Court Unit 501 Hoboken, N.J. 07030
Source: Walt
Stubbs/TheChromeHorn.com
Posted:
December 20, 2006 |