you know what Shadow, I'm PO'd and spending a ton of money fixing a really fast race car, but I agree, I don't think its blatant; I seriously think it is a total lack of talent and common sense
Gotta disagree there Jesse. In some divisions up to the door may be the guideline. But in Late Models, if a guy has his nose up to the rear wheel, it's his position. I'm not saying that's how it should be...but drivers who don't give up the lane to cars unless they are up to the door are going to get turned more often than not.
I agree with ya man,but as I said was I don;t know when it all changed.The so called Gentlemans agreement,but i am sure back in the 80's and early 90's that s the way it was.Art and Matt Lake, I am sure used that guidline.The super Lates back then used that same guidline not the 1/4 panel.It is what it is now,i was just wondering why it has changed and only thing I can think of is how it is interpeted by the flagman. We all know who runs the show so if he says what exceptable,whether old school or new age it is what it is.
Appreciate guys like Jesse and Gary chiming in, and was really just kidding about Mark Watson's spotter... we'll make up at T-Burg tonight and it will all be good.
Over the past few weeks, I've spoken to, e-mailed, and read posts by Gary Elliott, and unless you were there it might be a little tough to follow, but here it is...
Gary was leading the 75-lapper on a restart with 15 to go at Flamboro a few weeks ago, and Paul Howse was all over him. Howse had the fastest car before the caution flew and was putting the heat on Elliott. When they went green again, Howse battled on the high side for two or three laps, but couldn't make the pass and settled into second.
With 8 or 9 laps to go, Howse got to the inside of Gary. Was he up to the door? Probably not quite that far, but Elliott was wise and seasoned enough to know that a faster car was right there, gave Paul the lane, and went on to finish second.
To paraphrase what Gary said/wrote afterwards, 'He was faster and had the line. If there were two or three laps left, I would have ran lower on the straights and made him go around the outside, but with that many laps left, blocking would have let the third-place car (and quite possibly fourth and fifth) back into the picture, and I probably would have finished worse than second."
Gary, if I have that wrong, feel free to correct me, but I think I'm pretty close.
To quote DW, that folks is called 'sperience, and the race ended up with two guys racing hard for the win and no tore up cars, because of that 'sperience.
Oh yeah,agreed rear wheel ever so close to call yours or mine lane wise,but nose to rear of 1/4 panel or bumper a no no.
No problems here Jamie this was just a little Crack at Jay I know no offence intended either way,but a great topic.Gary's experience and insight is greatly appreciated.Thanks Gary.Again with Watsy, all is good.somthings are looked at differently from people. It happens.Maby just maby with this topic we all can do a better job,for each other and mostly the fans.I have been around Delaware since the 70's watching Bev my Dad race for 7 years then my brother John in the 80's.So I have seen the change lol.