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

Weekly shows I'd totally agree with you. Specials like the WoO and I see a better mix but probably still heavier more elderly male presence. Seems like many of todays generation have to see a top notch special show or not at all unfortunately. Teens just don't go. Been discussed a lot before but so many other things like stick and ball sports occupying their time and a further disconnect of them enjoying the marvels of a combustion engine all contribute to the lack of attendance. 

I wish they'd bring back Twin Features nights as well, both the weekly and WoO.

The 1200 lb Nationals I believe was the beginning of what ultimately pushed the WoO and other series to adopt a weight rule.  I was there for the inaugural 1200 Nats, the post race was a disaster with multiple cars being disqualified for being too light.   IIRC they even awarded the trophy and took pictures before weighing the "winner" who was DQ'd.

On the NSL, I still think that if Chuck hadn't crapped down his leg at Huset's the NSL would likely still be a regular thing at Jackson, Husets and Knoxville.

I'll go to my grave believing that if Fred Brownfield hadn't been died the NST would be the leading Sprint Car series today. 

I remember quite a few DQs for that event for weight. I can't believe guys cut it so close and now a days it seems like everyone makes weight with ease. I seem to recall Droud and McCarl getting into it from the front row on one of the 1200 lb nationals and fighting back up front after staring the tail but I was a little tike so my memory is hazy. I'm amazed I paid attention as much as I did for being that young. 

I agree with you on the NSL. It had potential anyhow although I wasn't so sure about that panda mascot they used for a few events.  

Heard similar things about the NST but don't know much about it. 

Close to 61. Went to a TON of fender races in the late 60's, 70s and 80s. at West Liberty & Columbus Jct. Speedways.

Discovered what Sprints were in I believe 1989 from an Open Wheel Mag that a guy had at work. Found out about Knoxville and the rest is history... Started going once in a while in late 80s and early 90s. Then started going to just about every Sprint race they had there. Now the camper goes up in the Spring and comes home in September. We hit about every race.

Had a quite a few year run at going to the Kings Royal, About haven't been back for the past 8-10 years

I was also at the first 1200 pound nationals. Kenny Jacobs won the event but got a small hole in his radiator which leaked out during the victory celebration. They then weighed the car which came in a couple pounds light. I think second also came in light, so the victory ended up being awarded to 3rd place finisher Don Droud but this was controversial because Droud had weight duck taped on that some said was added while the controversy brewed with the 1st and 2nd place finishers being DQ'd. It was a mess. 

That sounds about how I remember it.   

I kind of think that the A was also mired with caution laps with guys eventually running out of fuel, which brought out more cautions and more cars running out of fuel which eventually led to a fuel stop.   Guys that ran out before the fuel stop were pissed and rightfully so.

But its entirely possible that that was a different race, were talking about something nearly 20 years ago and my memory isn't getting better with age.

I am nearing my mid 60s.  Compared to many, I started late in the game when it came to attending any racing.  My first race was at Hangtown (now Placerville) Speedway back in '73 when I was 14, and I was hooked from that very first day.  Back then, I didn't realize how good we had it in the area.  Just down in Sacramento, we had West Capital Raceway, pavement tracks like All American in Roseville and Stockton 99 in Stockton.  Amazing talent, too.  As I have lived in many places around the country, I have tried to make it to racing with varied success.  Sadly, living in the Houston area for the past 35 years, I have seen the sport die a slow and agonizing death.  I do satisfy my craving by hitting the road some.  I am also lucky enough to be fairly handy with a camera and am able to share what I see.  Besides shooting, I have also announced and crewed on several cars, from super stocks to sprint cars and a few in between.

www.manvelmotorsports.com

Meh, mine was a piece of cake.  Best 30 minutes of sleep that I ever had.  I felt as rested as if I had slept 8 hours, and it seemed that I only just nodded off.  Kids, don't put it off. . . 

www.manvelmotorsports.com

"best 30 min of sleep I've ever had" - LOL! So true!

And the best hamburger/fries/shake I've ever had (Culver's, Troy, OH) was after they released me. I've never been more hungry - I could have eaten a pile of dirt I was so hungry!

Prep is no fun, but like others have said, so important for us to do.

67.  Born and raised Fresno CA, grew up in a neighborhood full of racers who built and tuned their racecars in garage and driveway.   Went to Kearney bowl in very early 70s as a teenager, later spectated at Manzanita Speeday in Phoenix in the mid 80s.  Have lived in Texas for many years