Turn 2 Blog is a regular feature on InsideDirtRacing.com. Here, site operators Michael Moats and Richard Allen take turns offering their thoughts on the dirt racing topics of the day from east Tennessee and beyond.
The latest edition of the Turn 2 Blog is presented by the American All-Star Pro Late Models Presented by PPM Racing Products
What are your thoughts following the first week of the Southern Nationals?
Richard: Well, my first thought is that ‘cancelled and postponed’ seem to be dominating the series. Races initially scheduled for Volunteer Speedway, I-75 Raceway and Swainsboro Raceway were lost for one reason or another. The events at Wythe Raceway and East Alabama Motor Speedway had to be moved new dates due to weather.
Oddly enough on a personal note, I have not made it to a single race yet either because those I would have gone to were cancelled or postponed to a date that I could not make. I hope to change that when the mini-tour moves back this way.
From the competition side, it seems as if the car counts have been strong, no doubt due to the lucrative purses being offered. There has been plenty of star power as well with Jimmy Owens, Dale McDowell, Ashton Winger and Zack Mitchell winning the features held so far. And there is a nice mix of racers with both veterans and young drivers competing.
The points battle between Owens and Carson Ferguson is shaping up to be an intriguing one with Ricky Weiss and Donald McIntosh looking to get into the mix. All in all, I like what I have seen so far.
Michael: It’s off to an odd start because of the cancellations and rain outs. There’s no rhythm to the series. By now, we’d see a clear battle as to who will fight it out for the series title during the last week. Right now, it’s wide open.
I really think things will get very interesting by the time the last two races roll around. Both pay $10,053 to the winner. Dale McDowell will surely enter both races. He’ll be a threat to win at both North Georgia and Tazewell. There could be other outside drivers in either or both races.
With the weather looking good for all the races, I’m looking forward to this week, especially the finale at Tazewell where anything can happen there.
Can the Silver Dollar Nationals ultimately make a go of it at Huset’s Speedway?
Richard: Just from the looks of things, it did not appear as if there were many fans in the grandstands on Saturday when they held all of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series heat races and eventually the $53,000-to-win main event. There was the challenge of weather this past weekend which likely hurt atrtendance. Also, though, the location of the track provides a bit of a hurdle. South Dakota is not known as a Late Model hotbed, but at the same time, this race used to be held in Nebraska at I-80 Speedway which the same could be said about.
Just from what I can see on television, Huset’s Speedway looks to be a first rate facility. And more, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series shows held there appear to be very successful. That seems to indicate that there is a market for big dirt racing events.
Although there were some questions as to whether Late Models could put on a good show on the track more known for Sprint Cars, Saturday night proved that it could do exactly that. Even though Brandon Sheppard led all the laps, there was never a turn in which he was not challenged by either Bobby Pierce or Hudson O’Neal.
Like anything, it may take some time for the Silver Dollar Nationals to find its footing at its new home. And it was announced that the race will return to Huset’s in 2024. I believe that, given time, this event will become a ‘must-see’ race and many fans and competitors will turn it into a destination event.
Michael: When I saw a race at Huset’s last year, I thought it was a great idea to move the Silver Dollar Nationals there. There was some great racing on a track that reminds me of a cross between the old Atomic Speedway and Crossville Speedway in Tennessee.
After watching multiple nights of racing at the track this year, one thing that concerns me is how narrow the straights are. Dirt Late Models are a bit wider than Sprint Cars. That really funnels things into a tight spot coming off turn 2 and 4.
In seeing the Saturday crowd, I really wonder if Huset’s is the right place for this race. Maybe the 2024 race will give a clearer answer to that question. I’m not giving up on it yet. I wish it was closer to me so I could catch next year’s race.
If you were running a race track, what classes would you have?
Richard: These kinds of questions are easy to answer for those of us who do not have any money invested. That said, I like variety and don’t think there is enough of that, particularly around our own east Tennessee region.
So to answer the question, in my ideal world I would operate a track that staged about 10-12 races per year with there always being either a big Super Late Model, Crate Late Model or Sprint Car main event. Along with those divisions, I would try to promote classes such as Modifieds, Street Stocks and Mini-Stocks as my regular divisions.
What classes would you run at your track?
Michael: I think a lot of it depends on what part of the country you’re in.
Since we live in east Tennessee, my classes would be Limited Late Models, some type of legit beginner Late Model class, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks/Modified Streets, and either Front Wheel Drive or a Crown Vic class. Tracks running a weekly schedule need more affordable classes to get more people into racing. The other thing is I’d like to see the Limited Late Model class to be more viable in this area. The limited class is a more natural option than a crate class. I also think they are a very entertaining class.
I listed a legit beginner Late Model class. When the Sportsman Late Model class made a comeback in this area a number of years ago, it was supposed to be for less experienced drivers using older cars. The class has become bastardized and is far from that these days. It could become that again if tracks were willing to legitimately police the class.
Please consider also reading:
Turn 2 Blog: Hamlin vs Larson & Did NASCAR make the right call?
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