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

There has been a lot of chatter about this subject the past decade and it resurfaced again after this weekend.  It's my opinion that the racing has been better at Eldora since Tony re-banked the track.  I seem to remember a lot of single-file runaway races with the old, insane-fast, scrape the wall configuration.  I also think a lot of sprint car "purists" have the biggest problem with it because is coincided with the Nascar trucks landing at Eldora and assumed the only reason to do such a thing must be to appease Nascar.  Myself, I think the change has brought the racing to another level at Eldora but it seems to have pissed off a lot of those seeking the pure speed.  I know it may not pan out for all seasons, but when the temps aren't cold, and the track isn't heavy, it provides some of the best racing of the season.   

So, after over a decade of the "new" track, and some time to see the racing progress, I'd like to poll everyone on their thoughts.  There seem to be a lot of negative comments, but are these just the comments of a very small, vocal few?  Or is this the thought of the majority?

I will go first.  I think the change was exaclty what was needed.  I think the racing has been spectacular.  And, if you look at the "box scores" from the last 10 year, there is a lot of evidence to back up my opinion.  So, after 10 years, I vote "YES" the change was a roaring success.  

(But that's just my opinion----let's hear yours)

I think the racing is a lot better and considering the speeds Sat night, and Gravel setting a new track record last year I would say the speed is still there. When I first started going to Eldora, there were many fast, single file, freight trains on the cushion type races. Yeah some wicked sliders were thrown but the racing the 4-5years has been great.

While yes the purists along with the whole Nascar thing probably did not go over well to some of the closed minded people, I think the other problem was that it did take a few years for them to consistently figure out the proper formula. There were a few races I went too where it wasn't fast or racy but then the next one would be fine. I think they have just worked at it over the years and have fine tuned it to the point where they have it down. This past weekend I take as an outlier but they did probably better than what a lot of tracks would be able to do under the circumstances.

I think most of the negative comments come from people that would complain even if the track remained the same. They are people that will find something to complain about. They talk about drivers not having balls or afraid when they haven't sat and driven in a car themselves nor have a dime invested. In reality, the attendance from what I have seen goes up every year so I do not think the negative comments from armchair QB's necessarily capture the overall opinion of everyone who actually attend on a regular basis.

Eldora was spectacular Saturday night.  My thought is that today's cars are so fast as is that a constant up on the wall style is probably "too fast" to be running all the time.  Also, I go to the Dream late model race over there each year & the track is so good even for the 100 lap races.  It is a more raceable track top to bottom than years ago.  I've seen guys win on the top, win on the bottom & win thru the middle.  Pretty much what you want from a racetrack. 

And when it is right, nights like Saturday are on a whole other level probably only seen at Knoxville.  

I prefer the 1983-99 era. No billboards, no suites, no Coke products, no signage, no rules. And just a gentle hint of weed wafting thru the hillside in turn 1. 

I think the optics of a car running the extreme low part of a high banked track turns some people off. I think it's great to have multiple grooves and Eldora is way better than it used to be on the whole. Some nights are duds but you can't tell me every night of the Earl era was great. Although I'm sure some will claim that. 

How many of you went to eldora when the sprint cars would throw sparks of the concrete ? Today's car is much faster than the cars of yesteryear. It used to be that's were you had to run. The place is, was and always will be ridiculously fast. The racing today is better without question. I feel the place could not have fallen into any better hands than Tony Stewart.  Just look at the stands, it's the meca of dirt tracks.

teehee....

I like a lot of the old (not all) and bits and pieces of the new.  

What I liked about the old: 

The speed was insane... one of a kind.  The first hotlap session you saw was something you didn't EVER forget.  How many tracks can you say that about?!?  It took balls to run right on the wall... wasn't for everybody.  Those that could do it well (Wild Child, Steve, Sammy, Wolfie, both Blaneys, Hewitt, Mouse, Brownsburg Bullet) were an elite group.  I'm sure I'm missing a few more, but that's who I remember fondly.  The 'no rules' atmosphere of the late 90's that saphead refers to was also unique and entertaining.  

What I like about the new: 

It's pretty hard to argue that the racing isn't better.  At the very worst, it's different.  The only way to pass on the old high banked version was to sack up, run the wall, and throw a dive bomb slider when you got close enough to the car ahead of you.  It was breathtaking when perfectly executed... but only a select few could do it with precision.  The old track took a lot of HP too.  If you didn't have it, you were screwed.  All of that put together led to a lot of races that were fast, but strung out with little passing.  If you didn't make your move on the first lap, it was pretty much over unless your car was a LOT better.  Being able to run the bottom opened up a new element.  Whether or not that is a good thing is where the opinions vary.  I have mixed emotions.  The facility upgrades are without a doubt awesome, especially the giant scoreboard/screen in turn 2.  I also like the fact that when cars crash now, it's not a complete catastrophe (like it used to be).  Yes, it's still fast and yes, bad things can (and do) still happen.  With the old, high banked track, things seemed to happen a lot faster... including the crashes.  With the old banking, I'm certain today's cars would be running in the upper 11-second bracket... which is a terrifying thought.  

In summary, I wish there was more middle ground with the banking... not as crazy as it used to be... but some semblance of what it used to be like.  It's better in different ways now... but also worse. For me, it's more 'meh' that it used to be... which sucks... but I still like it.  

I know exactly what your saying about the 1st Hot Lap Session. It's been a lot of years since my 1st visit to Eldora but I remember sitting in the covered stands about 6-8 rows up thumbing through a Speed Sport not paying much attention and the cars were puttin around the track.   The Flagman waved the Green for Hot Laps and OMFG!!!! I remember the 1st driver to round turn #4 at speed, It was Steve Kinser then everybody else behind him... I was seriously taken back by it. I had even contemplated going up a little higher in the Bleachers to sit! LMAO...  I was in Awe of the Speed....

Been a few years now since I have went back there, The Campgrounds got pretty damn wild as well...

One of my craziest / funny memories there (I was just a spectator) involved the levee drop off area back in the Free Camp area behind Turn 3, A wooden Ramp at the top of the Levee, HUGE Speakers on a Truck roof Blaring Johnny Cash and about a 1/2 dozen drunkin fools on Golf Carts... Not everyone came out unscathed from that deal..lol

I hit Eldora for the first time two years ago for the Kings Royal. Standing inside turn 3 up against the fence during hot laps was an eye opening experience. Don't have any idea what it used to be like, but that first set of hot laps was an experience I will take to the grave. Both exhilierating and terrifying all at once. My hearing came back a couple of days after. Wouldn't do that again without earplugs. 

I will agree that the current configuration has opened up the chances for more cars to be in contention. But would eldora have reached the notoriety that it has achieved if it wasn't for its breath taking on the fence style that it was.  I don't think so.  Yes Saturdays shows were most excellent but I'll take the old one where it was only the very best ran well.  And while we're at it bring back the old pizza burger too, the new ones don't cut it. 

Sheldon showed that the top can still get it done even with a fast bottom.  100 percent agree the pizza burgers now are the only disappointment as far as changes I've seen since the mid 70s 

Fair enough.  However, I feel as though pure speed was excitement enough "back in the day."  Hell, I even had fun at Michigan Speedway the first couple of times just because of the pure speed.  Then, the speed alone began to lose its luster.  I wanted some cars actually racing.  I think Eldora is better off because of the changes and the next generation will be more likely to return due to them as well.  But, your argument is valid

Without doubt the new Eldora provides better racing - multi-groove with more passing. It's still plenty fast and you can still win running the wall.

A

What's funny is that most people shit on Bristol, saying it was almost too fast, not enough passing etc... On the other hand people miss the old Eldora and the speed. I think what it all boils down to is...people like to complain. The sport is as good as it's ever been, and we can watch almost every race in America live on DV or Flo. Great times.  

Amen my brother!  I have never left a racetrack pissed.................ever!  (well, besides a rainout!)   

ageee and your last sentence is spot on.  I used to get goose bumps thinking about the place weeks before a race....not so much anymore but I still like going 

So from a guy who only came to know about the legendary Big E and its promoter after he passed, what was done to the track surface to change it?

Even though I may not know you, I 
care what most of you think!