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

Please Tony Stewart, for the love of Eldora, its time to make a change. How many chances does one person need before it becomes obvious they are not the right choice for the job??? Larry Kemp is single handedly ruining everything that Earl, and now you, have worked so hard to maintain - the image of ELDORA SPEEDWAY. The tradition, the mystique, the magic of Eldora, it's all in a downhilll spiral and from what I saw last night, it's showing no signs of stopping. The big E is a different monster than most tracks, and the man has no idea what the sam hell is going on over there.

I've been attending the races for many years, and what I've seen at Eldora, in terms of track prep for the past couple years has been, in a quick summary - PATHETIC. On numerous occasions I've traveled to the races with a team (as I did last night), and it's amazing how many drivers and crews in the pits are flat out disgusted with the race track. Kemp would never know though, because he acts like we don't exist anyways. I bet if our driver walked up to him, he wouldn't have a clue who it was.

Anybody that's been going to Eldora for a good number of years has to be disappointed with whats going on. Nobody Ive ever talked to has a good word to say about this guy and he's doing a good job of ruining the most historic race track in the world (how do you prep a good race track by working on it the day of the race only???). PLEASE, someone close to Smoke who cares anything about the history and magic of Eldora; tell him his 1/2 mile of heaven is going to be just a faint memory if he doesnt step up the plate and do something about it.

and ps, Mr Kemp - To top things off last night, the 2B team gets their rig stuck leaving the track at a quarter past one. WHile we're all stuck in the pits waiting to get out, we find out from some track crew (who werent really happy about the situation) the reason the rig is stuck is because you completely leveled off the hill to put in a new gate. Real smart.. Earl learned his lesson years ago when this happened with Kinser and others and you went and dug out the hill which he created so rigs WOUDLNT get stuck. I don't know where you were at during this whole ordeal, but I'd just like to thank you for the stupidity in which led us to get home at 4:00 in the morning. I bet Tonys teams were real happy about that too

I agree with much of what you say. It seems that Larry Kemp just doesn't get it. The track looked like it was prepared with a 100 garden tillers and a chisel plow. NOT GOOD AT ALL!!!

Are you the one that called Wind Tunnel?

Not sure what youre talking about Pumpman, but Ive never called Wind Tunnel.

This track just seems to keep goin down.. They should fire everyone and have Earl do it by himself again.... Soon they will be paving the track to get rid of all the hassle.

After that call last night, it will be interesting to see is they have Smoke on the show to talk about Eldora.

What did the caller say on Wind Tunnel, sorry I missed the show.

Not sorry to say I skipped Eldora for the first time in years. Never would have happened in the past, but my son and I went to a pro sports event. I took my $100 I would have spent at Eldora and went elsewhere with it.

I travel to Knoxville, Florida, where ever to go see races, and have been a lifelong fan (42 years) of Eldora, and would always do what was necessary to see a sprint show at the BigE. We're talking literally never miss a show during the season.

After spreaking to my nephew I'm glad I wasn't there. The thought of it was killing me, but I just knew it would be a clusterf*#k. I wanted to see Kevin Swindell at Eldora for the first time in a wingless sprint, especially after he set a new track record at both Bloomington and Lawrenceburg the week before. But the image in my head was of Swindell on the OLD Eldora, and I knew that was only a dream that unfortunately seems to be dieing a week at a time. My nephew who has a sprint car and has been all over with me to watch races couldn't put into words his dismay at the conditions of the track.

He didn't have his car there, they are still gettting the engine ready, an engine I have a few thousand dollars invested in, and if I have any say in the matter, unles they get things fixed at Eldora, that engine won't be raced there.

Not sure what I'm going to do bout the All-Star show this Saturday, I want to see a race, but I may take a look at other schedules within a couple of hours drive and go that direction. NEVER would have even considered that in the past. What's it going to take to get this deal figured out, running a race with the grandstands empty? Once their empty how do you get the fans back?

I understand loyalty, but who should you be loyal to, the fans who support the speedway and helped grow it to what it is today, or an employee who has proven over two years he is not the man for the job?

Dave you can join me at Fremont if you like, looks like my schedule my permit me to make another show this saturday. I will definately be staying away from Eldora for now.

I'll be there this Saturday. I believe it will get better.

Larry Kemp will be a guest on The Full Throttle Raccing Show Tuesday night at 8pm eastern at www.usadirtracing.com. He'll be available to answer any questions you may have via email to [email protected]. Please try to send your emails prior to the show, if possible, so we can get to them.

Thanks

John Katich

Come check out Waynesfield. We have a new track and wingless sprints will be there this Saturday. We also have a new layout around the pits that is much better for the fans to walk around. You will not be disappointed. $1200 to win now too, which is over double what it payed last year.

I have argued this point for a few years now. Keep him to make sure the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed and collect all the cash at the gates every week but keep him as far away from the track as possible. To me, track prep is the single most important step in providing a good race for the fans, even more important than the competitiors which you don't have to worry about at the Big E. The next Full-Time hire HAS to be a track prep specialist, period end of story. Tony, make it happen, Take It Easy.....

All of you planning on NOT going to support the All Stars disappoint me. The weather is great all week and expected to be perfect for the weekend. That means the Eldora crew is more than likely out working on the track as I type this and they have all week to work it out. Don't take it out on the All Stars by not showing up this Saturday. I have all the confidence in the world that they will have the track turned around by then and ready for a helluva race. $5000 to win will attract all the usual suspects. I'm still expecting it to be a top notch show. O Ye of little faith who've already given up on Eldora this year should be ashamed of yourselves.

Former Owner/President of FAST and Black Swamp Media
Group. Currently just another fan in the stands.

I know Larry Kemp was on the grader when I called him at 9am Monday morning...The weather is going to be great in the midwest this weekend and I hope people will turn out for the All-Stars' Ohio weekend at Attica and Eldora.

Who ever said they were not supporting the All-Stars? They are not the problem.

I'm not giving up on Eldora, I've long given up on Larry Kemp! I've been going to Eldora for 21 years, don't accuse me of anything. I will return to the Big E when something changes. Either they find someone who can actually prepare it the way it is supposed to be or by some act of God, Larry Kemp actually figures it out.

I feel sorry for the All-Stars, I really do. They may get the brunt of what happened last week.  I just don't think that much of a crowd will be on hand after the horrible conditions the track has been in for the first two races. On the other hand, I hope I'm wrong. I hope there is a good crowd so that the All-Stars continue to run at Eldora when the track is in decent shape.

I still fully support the All-Stars and the OLD Eldora Speedway. I do not support the Larry Kemp era of destroying one of the most historic race tracks in the country.

Just listened to the Larry Kemp interview......not much said. Maybe it is time for some for some point blank questions instead of dancing around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I only meant that we will end up taking the brunt of everyone's frustration...and I honestly hope you who don't attend miss one helluva race. I have faith in Eldora and the people in charge. I do understand your frustrations, however.

Former Owner/President of FAST and Black Swamp Media
Group. Currently just another fan in the stands.

While it's nice you have optimism Swamp, you don't have much choice but to say that on here...considering the series you work for is racing there this weekend.

I'm sorry, but how can you seriously have optimism when the man in charge of track prep has had 3 entire years to get it right and he still hasnt figured out that only working on a track 2 days a week won't get the job done. How many more chances should he get to screw things up?????

Like MSPN, Superschatz, Gospeedracer, and others... I am done supporting him. Tony better wake the F*** up and get somebody in there that knows what they're doing or they'll be pulling crowds and car counts like Lima did before Frankart went on board up there

I'm going out on a limb and saying that Greg Wilson and Dale Blaney will be riding the rim this Saturday night - the one on the top...not the one on the bottom. Yes I'm optimistic because I don't think for a minute that these guys are sitting around sipping coffee this week waiting until Saturday morning to work the track. Ain't gonna happen! If there's not sparks flying off the fence and classic Eldora slide jobs this Saturday night I will officially issue you all an apology. Larry Boos and Larry Kemp are two dedicated people who care about Eldora Speedway. Is it all Kemp's fault? I seriously doubt that. I do know he's not just going to shrug his shoulders and say to hell with it. I have a lot of respect for Larry Boos and I like Larry Kemp as well. They run a very organized and very professional operation. Trust that they will not rest until things are corrected and fans are happy. They are not in the business of racing in front of an empty grand stand. That's unacceptable. I share your frustration - I was at the Outlaw show and saw the huggy pole heat races and mediocre A-main. I didn't get on here and bitch about it though...I just wrote it off as a bad opening night with hopes they could correct it in a hurry. They tried to correct it right away which probably contributed to the track being soft and coming apart last Saturday. Now they've had another week to work the track and get it straightened out. I'm hoping the third time is a charm this Saturday and I hope to see you guys there.

Former Owner/President of FAST and Black Swamp Media
Group. Currently just another fan in the stands.

im no expert on track prep,but i have been going to eldora for the past 25 years and i have never seen it this bad.we used to go about 7 times a year,wing and nonwing,but until things get better,my family and i will not make the trip 8hrs one way,stay 2 nights,plus all the extras!!!! i really figured "SMOKE" was a godsend to keep Earls Place alive and well,but sadly i think its going away. only hope "SMOKE" can figure it out before KR time. LONG LIVE THE REAL ELDORA!!!!! RZ

livin on the coast of n.carolina,no dirt to be 
found,thank god for hoseheads!!!!!