Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

A few of us were watching the race at Kokomo last night and when it was time for the A-main we learned that Daryn Pittman was using a provisional to start 25th.  Our question was how is it that he has a provisional?  The car owner he is now driving for has not been a full time WoO schedule owner all year, so how would the driver have a provisional.  We understand Pittman drove for Roth most of the year, but when he vacated that ride he loses the provisionals that come with it.  Also, the Roth car used 4 provisionals in a row when Spencer Bayston drove it so they would have been out of them to use whoever was driving or even if their previous driver needed one.  Something just doesn't add up on this and we were looking for some clarification.  Thanks in advance.

My guess is that he is a platinum member, regardless of the car he drives....Just a guess though.

Member of this message board since 1997

That was widely discussed in the stands last night as well.  When he didn't come out of the work area during the B everyone thought it was odd as he'd be done for the night.  Shocked everyone when they announced a provisional.

Yes he is, but the rules state that the provisional goes to the car owner.  Also, why would Spencer Bayston get 4 provisionals then and also Pittman gets them also?  No matter what, they had depleted all available when Bayston used them.

Past Champion?

We need more sprint car racing at our home track.

From what I understand, if a platinum member runs out of provisionals, they can still run in the A Main.  But they will only earn a low amount of points, no matter where they finish.  It's less than 100 points.   Normally, everyone who starts the A-main (including provisionals) earns more than 100 points.

I should just wait for someone more knowledgeable to answer this.  

When a platinum (full time) driver leaves a platinum team, and drives for a team that THEN becomes full time (as the 72 has), the driver is abe to take provisionals to the new team.  (If the driver's new team is NOT full time on tour, then the driver cannot bring provisionals.)

Drivers out of provisionals CANNOT run the feature  except as an alternate, and alternates DO NOT earn points for features.

I'll have to confirm, but I BELIEVE the provisional policy for Last Call at Charlotte will be the same as for World Finals: All Platinum teams/drivers have unlimited provisionals for that event. 

Good to get an answer from someone who know whats going on..Hoping you rest up for the World Finals and enjoy winter back in Mn when you are done this year..Good calls on all the races on Dirt Vision..enjoyed them all.

All provisionals suck. Race your way into the A or dont run it, PERIOD!

Those provisionals are a perk. Sometimes things just happen and if a team is out there full time on tour I think they should be able to tail the field. It's fun watching them the first 10 to 15 laps.

Amen!!!

Am I the only racing fan that just sits and enjoys the races and lets the officials worry about the rules?  Just curious.  Some of you put WAY too much thought into this.  I work Monday thru Friday at my own job.  I don't need to do the WoO's job for them.  I'm in entertainment and relaxation mode when I'm watching the races.  

It is kind of weird. I mean if Pittman would have run really well and had a great charge or got even a top 10, you might say, "yea great run, but why did he get a provisional to begin with?" But he started 25th and finished 20th and was totally irrelevent to the race.

    If a lot the Platinum teams/drivers end up using provisionals for that race, could you end up with a 30 car A-feature?

Yea I'm pretty much the same way... Never thought twice about Pittman taking a provisional and didnt really care, I was glad he was racing is all.  Same goes with their finances and personal lives. None of my business or concern. 

At Williams Grove National Open they started 30 cars, 3 Woo provisional and 3 WG provisionals. So it has been done. IMO, race your way in or load it on the trailer.

Agree.  And let's face it, the overwhelming majority of provisionals are non-stories.  Most of the time, they missed the setup and are just plain not fast.  I can remember very few instances where a provisional has made any noise in the feature event.  And if they did, well I guess that would add another element to the race that might make it more exciting.  I can see zero negatives in allowing provisionals in racing.  Provisional starters do not knock someone else out of a spot in the feature.  And, some fans, many of them kids, come to an Outlaw show to root on a particular driver.  Parking that driver after the B is bad business in my book.  Even if that driver rolls out in 25th and does finish 20th, that fan, or that kid gets to see that driver in the feature like they were paying to see.  I just don't get why this is an issue, ever.  It's okay not to like the provisional, but it seems there is an obsession with it when it really doesn't have an impact on the actual feature, one way or the other.  All the points guys are racing for points.  And all the points guys know the provisional rule.  End of story.  Enjoy the feature and let the officals set the line ups.  

Agree.  And let's face it, the overwhelming majority of provisionals are non-stories.  Most of the time, they missed the setup and are just plain not fast.  I can remember very few instances where a provisional has made any noise in the feature event.  And if they did, well I guess that would add another element to the race that might make it more exciting.  I can see zero negatives in allowing provisionals in racing.  Provisional starters do not knock someone else out of a spot in the feature.  And, some fans, many of them kids, come to an Outlaw show to root on a particular driver.  Parking that driver after the B is bad business in my book.  Even if that driver rolls out in 25th and does finish 20th, that fan, or that kid gets to see that driver in the feature like they were paying to see.  I just don't get why this is an issue, ever.  It's okay not to like the provisional, but it seems there is an obsession with it when it really doesn't have an impact on the actual feature, one way or the other.  All the points guys are racing for points.  And all the points guys know the provisional rule.  End of story.  Enjoy the feature and let the officals set the line ups.  

Can Johnny give us the stats?

How many provs. have been taken and how many have finished in yhe top 10?

And has the extra points awarded ever moved anyone up in the standings?

Seems like a big waste of money for car owners.

I'd like to see those stats too. It might seem like a waste of money, but its another opportunity for your sponsors to be on the big stage, and you are hoping to keep those sponsers for next year.