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

Let's say that the leader of a random sprint car race bonks into another car while trying to lap it. The encounter puts the lapped car into the fence and upside down. If the instigator of the crash keeps going until the red flag flies, he keeps the lead. Is that consistent with other sanctions and tracks? Why not just bonk all the lap cars out of the way?

The Macedo Torpedo had a direct hit. Or bonk as you put it. Once he gets radar lock it's ass over tea kettle for you.

A lapped car is considered fair game you can run over, through, send them to the moon with no consequence. I raced for 17 years and ive been going to races all my life and ive actually seen several occassions where it was blatantly obvious that the leader spun a lapper out on purpose either because he was having trouble getting around or he just wanting a caution so he didnt have to deal with traffic. Ive used a few up myself because i knew if i didnt get around quick i was going to get passed. The answer is no, there is no consequense for sending a lapper they are merely considered  an obstacle.

The only groups that I know of that do the stupid penalizing with sending people to the tail over racing contact is local pavement tracks and kids racing. I have never been to a World of Outlaws race, All Star, or a weekly show around here where contact was made between two cars racing that ended with 1 car stopped and the other being penalized and sent to the tail. Yet for some reason this year with multiple wrecks we see many rocket scientists get on the comment section and state so and so should have been sent to the tail or DQ'd. I dont't know if it is something that is just sour grapes because they do not like a driver, or if more pavement people are watching sprint cars now because of the streaming platforms and just do not understand the rules. 

I am sure if there is a 100% certainty that a driver used his car as a weapon and just drove straight into someone then yes they would be DQ'd. But 2 cars racing, 1 guy misjudges or miss times a move, or a fast car comes up on a slow car and gets into him trying to maintain his lead then no they are not going to be penalized. 

Agree.  I've not seen it either.  Back in the day in Nascar maybe?  But not recently.  Hell, you can spin out now even in Nascar and blend in if you don't stop.  Like you said, has to be blatant driving straight through someone else maliciously.  

You don't bonk all the lappers out of the way because payback is a bitch.  The guy may be a lapper tonight, but he may qualify better than you next week, and you don't want to have a target on your back when you are trying to pass him.

Back when I raced I wouldnt run over lap cars because I have a conscience and didnt want to junk someone elses equipment that is probably having a tough time getting a car together in the first place. Find a way to pass'em!!! If I didnt have a conscience though I'd be living that #BonkLife for sure.

Haven't seen it recently but in the past I've seen a few drivers get the black flag for rough riding. 

A