No Wait, Done by Ten

So how did my day go at the new Rocky Mountain Raceway?  We'll let me tell you!  Some things were more of the same but then there were things that made such a difference.  My arrival to the track was at 12:15pm, expecting to wait in line until 1:00pm to get my credentials and through the back gate.  Much to my surprise there was no line, I'm mean NO line!  As a matter of fact there were more then two windows open and Will Call had its own booth.  The first person I met was a lovely lady who was very friendly, I didn't know her from Adam and I didn't get the feeling she knew me.  My son was with me, he is now old enough to get in the pit area, he was treated very well!

The other surprise was the number of race cars/trucks.  I can't remember seeing so many Pro Trucks, who ever is in charge of the truck series should be commended.  The Modifieds were loaded with cars and put on a great race as always, well at least for 40 laps, the remaining 10 laps some of the drivers fell asleep at the wheel.  The Midgets were good but I expected more out of some of the veteran drivers.  A lot of rough driving in the Midget class, hate to see someone get seriously hurt someday.  The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series put on a good race but I was a little disappointed with the Idaho guys not traveling and supporting the Salt Lake race.  I know there were some good cars ready to race in Idaho that could have showed.  The car count for the late models were at 14 and should have been more like 18 or 20.

 Biggest surprise of the night was being done before 10:00pm!  I noticed a push to get cars on the track and ready to go.  Heck the mini cups were on the track and ready during the opening ceremonies.  I know things are a work in progress at RMR but Mike Eames and staff are on the right track and should be commended for a job well done on opening night.

Raking The Back Gate

My recent visit to Magic Valley Speedway on April 23rd was a shocker.  In fact I've just recovered enough to write about it.  I traveled with a friend, Eric Rhead who was competing in the CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series.  I told the gal at the pit shack that I wanted a pit pass and she told me it would be $40.00 dollars.  My first thought was maybe she thought I was paying for someone else.  Then she said it is $40.00 for non-member (NASCAR).  You see you have to purchase a NASCAR crew license at a NASCAR sanctioned track and that cost is upwards of $75.00 dollars.  You see the series only races there three times, so if I did buy a license then it would cost me $55.00 per pit pass. 

Its funny how guys like track owner Eddie McKeen seem to forget how much racing costs and that they were on the other side of the fence complaining about the cost of pit passes.  Shame on you, you've fallen into the trap of "I don't have a good show so I have to pay for my track somehow so lets RAKE the back gate" mentality.

Zan the Man

The CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series opened their season at Magic Valley Speedway last Saturday night.  There were four cars from Utah, Jeff Hillock, Lynn Hardy, Zan Sharp and Eric Rhead.  All of which represented Utah well.  Magic Valley Speedway is a very tough track for drivers, it is hard to pass and take a lot of patience.  Typically on opening night at any track the first race can be any car owners nightmare.  Drivers seem to forget how to drive over the Winter.  Saturday was no exception to the rule as Thayne Alderman got into the leader Lynn Hardy on lap 41 and spun him.  Lynn was then hit by another car and all three cars were done for the night. 

Midway through the race Zan Sharp was in 5th and was moving forward.  He took the lead late in the race and was able to hold off Bruce Quale of Idaho.  Top five were Zan Sharp, Bruce Quale, John Newhouse, John Wong and Eric Rhead.  Next race for the series is May 7th at Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake City, UT. at 6:00pm.

It's About Time!

A leak comes out this week that all NASCAR drivers will have to declare what series they're going to compete for a 2011 championship.  Sorry Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch!  Driver must now just pick one series to chase points in for a Championship.  Why?  Why did it take the France family so long to make such a decision?  If they would have made this decision some time ago there may be players still in the series like Terry Bradshaw who said "this is nuts, we can't compete with the cup drivers and crews as this level with our resources.  We're not on a level playing field".

I view the Nationwide series like AAA Baseball.  This should be where teams pull their talent from not a bunch of Derek Jeters dropping down to AAA and AA ball to beat up on those who are in developing?

Does this mean we will not see any Sprint Cup drivers in the Nationwide Series, no but it may be not as often.  I applaud NASCAR but still wish it would have come sooner then 2011.

7 Weeks

I woke up this morning just sweating and in a panic.  In just 7 weeks the racing season will be upon us again!  Can you believe just 7 weeks to the Daytona 500?  Seems like just yesterday that Jimmy Johnson clinched his 5th straight Sprint Cup Championship.  Why am I not as excited about the Daytona 500 as past years?  Perhaps its that we still have 7 weeks, or maybe there are just other things to look forward to, like the Chili Bowwwwl --- Helloooooo!  Ok, I am looking forward to the Daytona 500.  It is the by far the greatest NASCAR racing event of the season.  Others are good but the Daytona 500 is AWESOME!  I guess it is due to the build up to the Daytona 500 race itself.  You have Speedweeks including the Duel races and Shootout.  I will be watching and we will be talking about it leading up to the event.