21 replies to this topic

[cats442]

I see that Jennerstown had 34 cars for 5 divisions on Saturday night.  7 Of them were late models.  I know the weather has been bad, but how many fans are going to turn out for 40, 75 & 100 lap heat races?  With so few cars a track can't survive loading up the back gate like so many dirt tracks get accused of. Sorry times indeed.

[race ace]

man i hate to beat a dead horse but there is not any asphalt cars  around anymore and everyone that wants to build one is afraid if they do that these few tracks will close down leaving them with a car and no place to go .i don't see any of these tracks having any amount of cars at them and that is not bashing anyone  just plain facts but i hope i am wrong .even asphalt fans deserve to have  a place to go enjoy racing .

[dale]

Your last sentence says it all! One thing is for sure-DUMP the NASCAR thing! 2-Copy Midvale in Ohio. "Outlaw" type cars-strict rules in the lower divisions. I see the "Main Event" series is supposed to run at Jennerstown this year. I hope it actually happens but the mega towing costs could enter into that. Result could be a low field of cars. $4.00+ for Diesel +BIG tolls! If that don't enter into your mind you are clueless. I went to the Main Event finale last year at Sandusky and it was a terrific show. People at Clearfield-Motordrome and Jennerstown have never seen an event like that! The "Other" asphalt track-Lake Erie-is running a lower buck show that features E-Mods as the top class.We went there last year to see the Supermods and my wife said it was the best track asphalt track anywhere. No Supers there this year! Midvale will have one Supermod show but that's all. Fans-try Midvale just south of New Philadelphia,Ohio. Full fields of cars.Late Models-E-Mods-Stocks-Compacts and Trucks.The Truck class is thin! 602 Crates and that's it in the Modifieds! 20+ cars a night! The top 2 in the feature on May 3rd were torn down and ruled ilegal 2 days later for carb infractions! That's what I'm talking about! Too much come and go in W.Pa. pavement racing. Remember Motordrome in the 90's and into the 20's.Nice fields of Late Models but the owners sold.It's been poor ever since.I'm like Race Ace-I just don't see it happening!

[Racefan68x]

i was down at midvale 2 weeks ago and the show was great!full fields of cars in all divisions. plus they have done major improvements to everything. i am not a big asphalt fan but the racing was great side by side racing. i think they had 17 superlates start the feature. nice little old school racing. and the food was good and the prices were cheap.i think the asphalt tracks up here need to call them and find out what is working down there. just my opinion not trying to start anything.   greg

[T-440]

I think the three tracks need to work together on rules and scheduling.  I don't see Clearfield being a successful weekly track, but I could see it doing ok as a once a month special on Sunday afternoons.  Having said that, is the race that was re-scheduled for Sunday the 25th still on?  Admission prices and times?  Late model payout?

[racer02]

It's too soon to say how it's gonna shake out, but I do agree that Clearfield won't make it as a weekly track. Some teams have cars that just aren't ready yet. Remember we just had an awful winter, not everyone has a nice heated garage to build their cars in. The owners at all three tracks seem to be in it for the long haul. I'm sure the counts will go up. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.

[racer111]

T-440 is correct...this is something I have said for years, and tried to talk owners into doing...you need ONE rulebook for all three of these asphalt tracks, ONE rulebook and THREE different covers...but I know in the past no one would give in, everyone wanted to do their own deal...well that's not going to work with these asphalt tracks here in PA...

[racer02]

^^ couldn't agree more. You hit the nail on the head, racer111

[jmmr]

First off- to think that the Outlaw type class would have any real impact is obviously coming from some dirt guy not big on or into asphalt. That idea is silly. Second- it is true there are not enough cars. That's a fact and I've said it since we heard Jtown was opening. There is enough for one track right now. Both Jtown and Motordrome promoters have made statements that they KNOW car counts will be an issue and they do not see this as a short term fix. It may help to unify rules but it in itself is not enough- racing two nights a week is not happening for most. It appears Motordrome has solid corporate sponsorship. While the start seemed very slow and alot of concerns were raised- it does seem they are trying advertising and dropping ticket prices to get fans in the stands($5.00). Anyone who says dropping prices doesn't work didn't see last year- where my understanding is money was made after doing so. Jtown has seemed very open/user freindly from my understanding . Clearfield is a whole other beast- it is too far for the racing pool of Drome and Jtown. Past Poor mgt has hurt car counts - it is too soon to say what's going to happen. Alot will depend on cost containment measures insofaras getting teams to move up/start out/come back. Cost containment appears to be something that isnonexistent in dirt racing. From my understanding running a street stock competitively is at least 1 1/2- 2 x more expensive on dirt. Late models are needed there is no doubt. At Drome the three of the five classes have tolerable counts. Lets just wait and see. The weather hasn't been good yet- the pens are done- alot can happen.

[dale]

I'm just looking at the whole picture and I see one of these tracks saying goodbye to Late Models ala Lake Erie. Remember,neither Motordrome or Jennerstown Mgmt. and ownership has any investment in Late Models!! So there are no car owners involved. Maybe they look West-not East! There are major mid-week shows for Main-Event or "Outlaw" type Late Models at K-Zoo-Grand Rapids-Midvale and several others. Why? Cause they know the cars are there. Here in Pa. the cars are NOT there. You are right about the stocks-way cheaper on pavement! Will the Outlaw type cars make the long tow to Jennerstown-we will see. Do any Template Body cars go to Western Ohio or Michigan and Indiana to run? Unified rules would be a start.

[CNB Bank Raceway Park]

I think the three tracks need to work together on rules and scheduling.  I don't see Clearfield being a successful weekly track, but I could see it doing ok as a once a month special on Sunday afternoons.  Having said that, is the race that was re-scheduled for Sunday the 25th still on?  Admission prices and times?  Late model payout?

Yes, the 75 Lap Late Model race at CNB Bank Raceway Park is still on.

Racer registration starts at 11am, grandstands open at 1pm, and racing starts at 3pm. 

Grandstand Admission is $10/adults, $5 ages 11-17 and kids 10 and under are free.

Hillside is $20/adults, $10/ ages 11-17 and kids 10 and under are free.

The payout for all divisions are posted on the website.  However, we have restructured the payout to help guys make it to the track 20th place still pays $550!  So, we are almost giving you a set of tires to race on!

COME OUT and RACE with US!

[dale]

I've read the Clearfield rules and found them to be very cost effective. The purse structure also makes sense.Good Street Stock payout and very fair Late Model payout.If the track can hang in there financialy some new cars are bound to show up.Clearfield has offered a much lower cost to potential competitors.Gonna take a while but the results could be very good!

[race ace]

a few years ago when the track was dirt they packed the place ( we were there at least 4 hours early) and there were so many fans that the cars extended from the speedway  back to route 322  and the cops had to come in and tell them to open the gates, so will someone please let us all know how they make out  because i will be fishing with the kids . 

[jmmr]

Haven't we been discussing this on a couple threads already? Little late in the season already? Don't worry by the looks if things some of the tracks that have the most cars are doing all they can to lose them

[suhoney18]

Jennerstown had 27 cars tonight...in 5 classes...

[racer02]

Jennerstown also ran just their second racing event..since August 2008. You don't just open the back gate at a long-dormant track and expect 190 cars to show up. It IS alarming that modifieds and chargers asked to be included as weekly classes, and two freakin modifieds showed up both weeks. That is going to get the class dropped from the track for the second time. And 3 chargers...need more support from those drivers!

[jmmr]

The charger and modified classes asked to be included? We have three chargers- no one asked us anything! I think that statement is pretty misleading. That being said I think it's an awesome track and we plan on running there- I wish them all the luck in the world and it seems like they are doing alot right. But running Friday then Saturday is pretty difficult. I don't know what the answer is. It does seem much of asphalt is at a crossroad.

[jmmr]

One more thing - I posted a street stock roller a couple times over the winter. It's a really-really well built roller with wins at Drome and Jtown and less that around 30 races. I practically couldn't give it away. For whatever reason people are reluctant - is it 1. Worried the track won't be there. 2.too expensive. 3. Don't trust officials to provide a fair and competitive arena. I don't know... We built a new car 3 years ago based on rules(no front weight/motor location- that same year like 3 races in they changed the rules. Tracks can't stay open without cars- guys don't want to build cars Til they know the track is there and is legit. It's a real catch 22.

[snooky]

When clearfield was the first track to pave in the entire region there were NO asphalt cars. Ferd Wallace allowed dirt type cars to run for a couple years as a transision to pavement. There was no Hummingbird or AMP then either. The population density and economic situation of the area just can't support 3 tracks within 25 miles. Only solution, SPECIALS...... even if you would throw dirt in it it would struggle. Too many tracks, not enough people.... Not rocket science.

[racer111]

Exactly...and people are afraid to build asphalt cars because they are scared that the asphalt tracks that are here won't last anyway.