I like what St Eustache has done in the past they time trial. Then they run a 25 lap feature instead of heats. The starting position is based on the time trials, straight up fast cars to the front. Then at the end of the night they run a 40 lap feature starting position based on three week handicap taking the top 14 to 16 cars(depending on the number of cars) from the time trials. So the very slow cars still start at the rear of the field, the same as they do now if they don't qualify through the existing heat format. The total number of race laps is only 6 more laps than we run now with double 12 lap heats and a 35 lap feature, so there is very little extra cost to the racer. As for the payout make the 40 lap feature the main purse with a small amount going to the first 25 lap feature. Just like back in the day when heat races paid a little money, or like Kawartha pays for the semi. It would be nice if the owners came up with a little extra purse money for the first feature, but if that is not possible take a little away from every position in the second feature. For example say take 20% away from every position to pay that position in the first feature. That would mean the first feature would pay $200 to win and the second feature would pay $800, last place in the first feature would pay $20 and the second would pay $80. The points are calculated as two regular features that way Barrie Speedway has a chance at placing a driver higher up in the National standings. If they can draw more cars and start 23 cars every night there drivers would have a legitimate shot at contending for the National championship. Last year the max. Nascar points were based on a 25 car field, in 2009 it will be based on 23 cars. If Barrie Speedway changed there format and found a way to bump up the car count so there drivers could compete for the National Championship it would bring a ton of Nascar and local publicity which in turn would help the Speedway attract additional sponsor dollars and there would be more money to spread around to all the racers at the track.
Keith
I like what Keith is saying here... it makes a lot of sense.
I think everyone would like to see better car counts. In the Thunder Cars we are getting about 23 - 26 cars per night, and if many more new people come to the division it's going to be interesting to see what happens in reference to heats and features.
I'd like to see a field of 23 LLM or better. Not to say that 18 or so isn't good, but the more cars the better in my opinion. I think that with a system used by some of the other speedways who do better in Whelen standings we will get a much more accurate picture of our drivers in the National (International really) scheme of things. I think the Canadian racers are at a bit of a disadvantage because they are not able to travel to other Whelen tracks and pick up extra points (the winners uusually have 38 or 40 races to get their top totals from it seems IIRC) to put them over the top. The other side of that is that we have one track in Ontario, one in Quebec and one in Alberta, so there is less competition for the Provincial Championships compared to the States.
Actually Tex we are not at that big of a disadvantage in Canada, of the 25 States with Nascar sanctioned tracks 13 of the 25 only have one track. The National Champion ran 26 features in 2008, 21 of those features were at his home track, with 13 of his 14 wins coming at his home track. His high win count could be attributed to the fact he started the features where he time trialed for all features. His high point total was also possible by having an average car count of 28 cars. The 3rd place finisher in National points was Marty Ward he ran 22 features, all at his home track. His track also had 25 plus cars every night and they started fast cars to the front with an invert type draw involving the top 6 cars from time trials. The point I am trying to make is for Barrie Speedway to be competitive in the National points they need to schedule about 30 plus features to allow for a few rain outs and increase the car count to a full field of 24 starters every night.
Keith
I thought I read somewhere that the '07 National Champ ran a high thirty event count... Maybe I am wrong....
Keith your ideas are all very good and I think something that needs to be addressed. We all know the calibre of our drivers and the racing and it's about time this is recognized in my opinion.
he meant this year's champ...08
