Mini Stocks are an interesting conundrum at Delaware.
A: I don't think the track really needs a new division. Bone Stocks are there for the "low buck" option, and frankly, even with the decent car count already, I think its going to explode. If they play their cards right, 100 car fields are entirely possible.
B: History shows that competitive 4 cyl racing don't fly at Delaware. Believe it or not, not everything Novotny touched turned into gold. International Sedan was supposed to be the next best thing, but 2 guys built them for the first season, and the second season it exploded 100 percent...to 4 guys. Then he tried open comp 4 cyl racing as a regular thing. That was actually pretty neat because it was sort of like our invitationals now, except with more pro-4 type modifieds. For whatever reason, it just didn't resonate with the fans, even though there were some great races. (I actually think its the sound of them that put people off, but I don't really know)
C: I don't think street stock style minis are really all that entertaining even at smaller tracks. They CAN be (thats thought D) but usually aren't. What I mean is that, sure, if you go to Flamboro and watch 30 cars in a feature, thats fun. Heat races are still like watching grass grow though.
D: In my opinion, 4 cyl, like Bone Stock, could put on a helluva show. But not if they use the standard heat/heat/feature like all the other divisions. However if you tweak the standard deal, you might have something. The trick is getting at least 30 of them on the track on a Friday night. Heat races, if you really need them, you can be creative with. Maybe you use pursuit races, maybe you use black flag races, maybe team racing...something novel anyway. Then you have em all on the track for a 20 (at the most) lap feature. Fast guys at the back. (maybe even start em 3 wide) Don't do what Delly is already guilty of, and stretch out the number of laps in the feature. Shorter races are self handicapping, every lap counts, and you're likelier to see the guys trying some crazy stuff to get to the front. Sorta like what made the trucks so popular in the early days.
These guys COULD provide the "thrill show" element that the track is, IMO, sorely missing. (And if they ask me, which they have, I actually think that's the track's number 1 biggest problem right now as far as the show goes.)
Chaos Cars revisited
E: This one is sort of an "aside". I'm gonna level with everyone here and hope I don't ruffle too many feathers. I was a BIG fan of the Chaos Cars idea. I think it is exactly what the track needed, but was also way overthought. There's NO reason that I can see, that you couldn't still do something like that as a regular part of friday night racing. To be fair, I have talked to the powers that be, and understand why they're not running with that ball for the time being.
Whenever they get around to revisiting the idea though, 2 things have to happen.
1. It cannot happen at the end of the night. It has a built in appeal to kids, and you want to do that part of the show while the kids are still awake, interested and involved.
2. The courses they ran were too convoluted for anyone (especially kids) to reasonably follow along with. And it took an hour to set it all up. One 360 degree barrel in turn 1/2 and another in 3/4 is plenty of chaos. None of the obstacles they came up with were bad...but they really only needed one or two of them for a race. Plus set up and clean up would happen a lot faster, eliminating the problem of thought number 1. Set up 2 barrels, tear down 2 barrels and send out the sweepers if things got crazy. If anything, this program could double as your intermission too so the "serious race fans" have time to grab a hot dog or go to the bathroom.
Great discussion gents, lets keep it going.
I only ever saw the Chaos Cars perform once, as part of the Labour Day 200 Late Model show a few years ago, but I thought they were awesome. The obstacle course style setup was great, and the cars had sweet names like the Red Baron, the Chuck Norris, and the Snotrod.
It was a great way to fill some down time while the late model teams were prepping up to go the distance.
Delaware , As a sponsor of your truck(s) division after week ONE. This quote is from YOUR home page, "track performance has made the competition look like they’re standing still. Even top-ranked contender Trevor Collver (#51) of Lucan has not yet been able to mount a challenge on the defending champion" Said after week one, hummh. Would this be condusive of bringing fans to the track.. or better yet your own racers.
Delaware , As a sponsor of your truck(s) division after week ONE. This quote is from YOUR home page, "track performance has made the competition look like they’re standing still. Even top-ranked contender Trevor Collver (#51) of Lucan has not yet been able to mount a challenge on the defending champion" Said after week one, hummh. Would this be condusive of bringing fans to the track.. or better yet your own racers.
The fan forum shed some light on where articles like this come from. Everybody and their uncle has an opinion about how the articles should be written and what they should contain. In the off-season it was decided that the people who seem to find Delaware most interesting are those "in the loop" or "on the inside", who know the background about what's going on. The watered down PR from years past is not effective. This article successfully got you fired up, it was (believe it or not) successful in its purpose. The PR is not designed to make people feel comfortable, it's designed to tell the truth of what's going on and set the stage for the coming conflict.
An article like this is truthful: Adriaensen is the dominant driver in the field right now. This was demonstrated not just on opening night, but also in their second event when he won the heat race from last place in 10 laps. He has a target on his bumper as a result and is the driver to beat. Collver is probably his biggest threat (so far), but has been fighting a variety of truck gremlins that are holding him back for now. An article like this sets up the character of the division for a fan coming in for the first time -- this story is designed to create a David & Goliath situation, which is exactly what exists in trucks at the moment. Will it exist like that forever? No - - Gary wouldn't want to hear it: but nobody can win forever. By next week, it's entirely possible another driver will be on top, then that becomes the story.
Watered down PR does not do justice to the drivers is not where we are going anymore. The leader's best lap in the previous event was nearly half a second faster than the next closest challenger. Adriaensen is the Goliath of the division, the question is who can step up to slay him? Perhaps it will be your driver.
I agree with John on this one. No use sugar coating it. The truth will set you free. If the track were to do puff pieces (that has never happened 😉 ) then a newbie would go to the track, see the reality and feel lied to. Regulars would feel like they are being played for fools. I used to read some of the PR and wonder if I was at the same event then the Shadow report would set me free. ;D I for one find the candor refreshing. Keep it up John.