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

Just read on the Hosehead main page that Chad Kemenah will be full time with the All Stars this year.  Should be a great year with the additions of Chad, Wayne Johnson, Brandon Wimmer, and others.

In my opinion, the smartest off season move so far by anybody.  He is going to win a few races and have some very consistent finishes like he did before.  Very good chance he takes home the title.  

If that motor program is as stout as it has been in years past, he's the favorite to take the title. 

He will be closer to home, so he should be able to get more help with the car. I would think having his father in law close by is going to be an instant improvement too.  It's crazy to think someone can make more money running the All Stars than the Outlaws, but its true.

When the Outlaws don't adjust their purse for 12 years, that tends to happen.  Traveling sprint car purses for non Knoxville Nationals are the only cost items that has remained the same since 2000.

The all stars are shaping up to have a pretty good roster next year. They always have a good turn out when they stay in Ohio and PA. I'll probably end up going to more shows than i normally go this year just because of guys like Kemenah making the switch.

It would be interesting to see a comparison of the payouts for all series and weekly tracks between now and 15 years ago.

It's not like the AllStar purse has gone up either.....

Anyone that thinks the tracks and sanctioning bodies are going to raise the purses yearly (or even every 5 years) are crazy.  the costs of putting on events has increased substantially as well (all the while, crowds have decreased and have forced tracks to raise admission prices due to less fans and higher bills).

If the Outlaws, or All-Stars, or PA tracks, or Knoxville, etc., etc., etc. raise purses, look for your admission cost to go up as well (and that NEVER goes over well on social media or message boards).

Me too Nick.  I know Chad made alot of fans and friends out on the Outlaw trail and he will be missed there, but as an Ohio guy, I'm glad to have him back with the All Stars. It would be nice to see Greg Wilson return to the tour - haven't heard of his plans for 2014.  Thus far you have Kemenah, Johnson, and Wimmer.

Others I'm wondering about:

Greg Wilson (mentioned above)

Tim Shaffer

Danny Holtgraver

New driver of Call/Holbrook 83 (sorry, couldn't remember the new driver)

Danny Smith

Dale Blaney

Others?

How do you adjust the purse on a sport with a dwindling fan base? Its the racers own fault they spend more than they can ever possibly recoup. Successful businesses don't get to do that. The rich car owners have messed up the balance. When the best mechanic/owner can't be profitable......

I think Greg WIlson is doing the same type of schedule he has done for the past couple of years but I'm sure he will be at all of the Ohio All Star races. I forget where Shaffer is going to be this year but I remember him being in the 55 car last year. I believe Holtgraver is still in the 45, Christopher Bell will be in the 83 car but not the full schedule, Danny Smith will do his typical outlaw schedule, and I believe Blaney will be racing full time in the 14k. Also I remember hearing that Andrew Palker from will be full time, he was the Wayne County Champ this year. I'm sure we will see David Gravel in the 59, Both Haudenschilds, and Hopefully Cap Henry gets a ride. I have not heard anything on him yet.

The new driver for the 83 is Christopher Bell. And I'm jealous you guys are getting a series together that will be second to none.

We need more sprint car racing at our home track.

yes, without big sponsors the WoO schedule and miles between tracks is crazy, Im impessed CK did it this lomg, IMO CK is THEE most underrated Outlaw the past several years, Hampshire has built some ponies and CK has proven that several times. I always enjoyed watching him have a successfull night. Looks like he will compete in Approx 20-25 WoO races next season, I wish him luck, and way less miles on that rigs tires.

The purse hasn't went up for the All Stars.  You're also not towing up and down California twice a year.  Not towing up to Edmonton for a standard paying two day show.  No trips to Washington or Oregon.  More importantly, you're not competing against owners who will outspend you 10-1.  

The All Stars are not perfect, I will readily admit that.  The Outlaws and WRG are really missing the boat.  I am leery of WRG just because they're based in Charlotte with NAPCAR. Wouldn't it make more sense to be based in the Midwest where people actually race sprint cars.  North Carolina, not a sprint car hot spot.  I guess my point is they could be better managed...maybe that would help with sponsors, travel cost, etc...

Exactly, Im not so sure WRG is passionate about sprint car racing, I feel more they are trying to capitalize on "OUR" sport monitary wise, sad but true,  maybe Sprint racing needs them? im not convinced tho? from a outsider looking in, its just not financhally feeseable to run thier circus night in and night out, sure its a dream job and would be fun, but realistically whiout deep pockets involved, it just doesnt add up. fill your coast to coast tanks, with a $800 bill for start money, see where im going with this?

Due to the owner of the All Stars, Wilson won't be following them. (they don't see eye to eye)

do it in the dirt

As prices for motors and travel escalate it is impossible to run for prize money alone.Sponsers and tow money are key to a traveling race team.The top teams are not in it to make money they would be happy to break even unless they can win a few of the big races.Its the guys like Chad that make the series work .It is mostly a dream for the weekly family racer that has a fulltime job to be able to race for a living.I actually think it would have been easier to be an outlaw or AllStar 30 years ago when the motors lasted much longer and there were very few $500K motor coaches and the cars came on  open trailers and the big teams had a dually with 24ft trailer.The days of the run what you brung and true outlaws are only a pleasant memory.Rick Ferkel,Bobby Allen ,Wolfgang,Opperman,Kinser,Swindell were the true outlaws and will never be replaced.

It is a pleasant memory though.  Very pleasant at that. 

Shaffer is in the 45. Grove and Hunter split and Holtgraver is going with Hunter.

Wheres that leave BK?  With Grove and Shaffer?

do it in the dirt