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Big Shows = Big Money?

Posted by Jason Bodenhamer at 06:25:59 PM

     As the upcoming season nears for most racers, I am sure each team has at least one or two 'big' shows on their schedule.  Not just at your regular tracks, but somewhere you normally don't get to run, for a little more prestige or money.  Having been a regular on the O'Reilly's MLRA tour the last several years,  I too have plans for these bigger than normal EXPENSES!!

     Recently I visited Texas Motor Speedway's Dirt Track Nationals with my car owners, crew, and our new Hatfield power plant.  We all had big expectations for the weekend, but all we received was some big expenses and a little experience.  To start, there were 200 or so modifieds each night which was competing for a mere $3,000 to win Saturday A main.  So they ran 20 mod heat races, before our heats, on a track that was only good for about four races.  The facility was as nice as our local Lucas Oil Speedway, but the track surface was not as 'racey' as it needed to be.  I understand it is difficult to have a track prepared perfect for that many cars, but many tracks handle this type of car count just fine while keeping a 'racey' surface.

     So we started 2nd in our first heat, finished 2nd, started 13th in the A, finished 12th.  The track was locked down, or rubbered up, right around the bottom for the first late model heat.  Saturday was a little better, they disked the track after the heats.  We had to start 14th in the B and came to 6th without the help of any cautions.  This wasn't good enough, as they only took the top two to the A ( which happened to be Ken Schrader & Kelly Boen).  Our car ran just fine, and wasn't all in all that bad,  we got beat by the racetrack.

     I kind of got off track with my intent on this blog, but that was a perfect example of how many times these big money shows are just good for the tire companies and promoters.  And from the fan perspective, you more than likely will see a better race at a local $2,000 to win mod show versus a $10,000 to win show.  I suggest planning a few of these expensive type of trips over a year or two of racing if you can,  and it will only make you appreciate your local racing even more.  Even though the few of us from this area that went to Texas didn't have any great success, we continue to learn from those trips and will only get better from them.  I have had several good finishes in these 'big' money shows and they definitely are at the top of my racing career highlights.  So don't be scared of them, just plan them wisely, and try to make them fun.  Until Next Time, Go BIG!! 

 

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