The problem with the Modified division is the cost vs. payout. After Delaware Speedway’s rule changes a few year ago moving to rack and pinion steering, coil over style suspension, and strut rods being allowed they basically turned them into Late Models without fenders. It virtually cost the same to build a Modified as a Late Model.
If you look back at the history of the Modifieds it was suppose to be the step between Super Stock and the Late Models. Tony’s original plan was to have a affordable adjustable chassis similar to the Late Models but allow the Super Stock guys to bring there engine over to reduce the costs making it very affordable learner class on the drivers progression to Late Model racing. The class originally races on street tires, the same ones as the Super Stocks to reduce costs. Now the cars are fender less late models running on the late model tire. The costs are the to build the car, maintain the car, and race the car. What would you build?
Since the big rules changes 4-5 years ago, the old used cars became out-dated and worthless. I know of complete rolling chassis’s that cost sold for a couple cases of beer and some even got scrapped. The rule changes destroyed the used modified market that allowed new teams to enter the division at a reasonable cost instead of a $60,000 brand new one.
The Modifieds this past year was $600 to win compared to $1100 to win in Late Model. Furthermore, heard the Modified Point purse was $1600 compared to $44,000 that the Late Models received including their NASCAR money. What would you build or race for the same cost?
Now, who’s to blame in all of this?
The high dollar teams that pushed for these rule changes, and more importantly the race director for letting it happen. I can recall one driver that stood up in the original rule meeting and said, “Why am I changing my perfectly good race car?” By the way; he is no longer in the class.
Now the track wants to kill the division, but is giving the teams the rope to hang themselves. 6 races a year for $125 is a slap in the face to these teams. Who is going to stick around for that? Who will want to get into a division for that?
In history it has been typically been easier to destroy than rebuilt. Destroying is the lazy mans way
I guess the owner, management and race director like taking the lazy way out instead of trying to rebuild this great division.
Now lets be positive? What can we do to save this division? Or is it too late like the track thinks?
Open up the rules, and have at it. Let our racing friends from the States know we are here, throw a bunch of good purse money out.... make every race invitational.... ADVERTISE it, with the intent of the above.
Now trucks and ss cost the same to build and open wheels,late models cost the same to a point. Nothing in between and since a 78 nova is hard to find good parts for I think the ss should be advanced a bit more.just my opinion
HMMMMMMM, i think wernams out to lunch on his figures, come on guys 60k!!!!! i,m not involved anymore in the mod division, but you can buy a car (if you mechanical inept) from 12k to 15k from a builder add you motor/trans and go racin, then there is the used complete option as well. heard from a couple guys that where at the meeting ,that Delaware yearly pay and bonus where 30k for 2009. MY vote is to keep the mods
After Delaware Speedway’s rule changes a few year ago moving to rack and pinion steering, coil over style suspension, and strut rods being allowed they basically turned them into Late Models without fenders. It virtually cost the same to build a Modified as a Late Model.
Ah! That was the answer I was looking for in the other thread. No wonder it's too pricey to run a Modified. If they want to save this class, they should make it closer to a stock chassis with a Modified body on top.