*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 Crate All-Star Series.
If you had to place a bet on each of the remaining crown jewel races, would you take the combination of Jonathan Davenport & Chris Madden or the rest of the field?
Richard: The odds say it’s best to go with the field. There have been 25 races paying more than $25,000-to-win with Davenport and Madden combining to win eleven of them so the field has a slight advantage. However, Davenport, especially, seems to be getting stronger every week. He has won the last two crown jewels(USA Nationals and North-South 100) but he will be going to this weekend’s Topless 100 at Batesville Motor Speedway looking for his first win in that $50,000-to-win affair.
Madden, however, has won the Topless 100.
These hot summer days and nights would seem to lend themselves to Dale McDowell’s style which proved to be the case at Florence as he ended up on the podium. Also from Florence, Brandon Overton was making a strong run toward Davenport at the end of the North-South 100 to show that he is not to be forgotten. Further, Mike Marlar continues to find a way to pull himself into contention week after week.
There are numerous other drivers who would not exactly shock the world to win a big race. To answer the question, Davenport and Madden have had awesome seasons to this point but there is so much talent out there that I believe I would still be inclined to take the field.
Ricky Weiss(center) bested Davenport and Madden at Bristol to win one for the Field
Michael: At this point, I would take the Davenport-Madden combo. Davenport is on such a roll right now and he just seems quicker than everyone else. Just look at some of the upcoming races. Davenport and Madden both are good at Batesville. When they go back to Eldora, Madden is the leader of The Dream when they resume that race. And Davenport would have to be the heavy favorite to win the World 100.
It’s a shame Madden had his issue on the opening lap at Florence. I wanted to see how things would play out with the two of them starting up front for 100 laps.
Can a race still be considered a “Good Race” even if the same driver leads all of the laps?
Richard: The key is the wording of the question. Yes, a race can still be “good” if one driver leads all the way but for a race to be “great” there has to be some mixing it up at the front of the field. In particular, to be a great race there probably needs to be a pass or two in the closing laps.
Still, I was definitely entertained watching the North-South 100 with all the battling going on behind race-long leader Jonathan Davenport. And it certainly helped the race that Brandon Overton closed in late. Watching the leaders have to work slower traffic during the long green flag stretches was entertaining.
This is one of those things that the streaming viewer might not be able to pick up on compared to the grandstand viewer because television coverage tends to focus on the leaders.
Even if no one passed the leader at Florence, there was plenty of racing action throughout the field which made it a good race. Obviously, a race can’t be considered good if there is no passing throughout the field but that was not the case on Saturday.
Michael: This has been a debate on message boards and social media for years. I think if there is plenty of passing throughout the field, the race can be considered a good race. An exchange of the lead a few times then makes it a great race.
With both of us being at the race, it’s hard to say what TV showed of the race. I know during NASCAR races, the TV networks tend to follow certain story lines and may not show a thrilling battle for 6th place. Watching the ticker can show if there is a good battle taking place somewhere else. I’ve had people attend races in person tell me how good it was when TV didn’t necessarily show it that way.
Do you like the idea of “Topless” racing?
Richard: I do not mean to be a killjoy here but I have never been that excited about taking the roofs off of race cars. I’m not sure why but it doesn’t do anything for me. I understand that the Topless 100 is unique in the sense that it is the only crown jewel to feature cars with no roofs but it would be a big race with or without that aspect.
I guess it’s not a matter of liking the idea or not but just a matter of me thinking it just doesn’t really add anything as far as I am concerned.
Michael: I like a topless race every now and then. It offers something unique to the sport. Sprint Cars are about the only thing that compare, but taking the wings off in that form makes it almost a different form of racing.
I’m not a big fan of a track or series that run topless all of the time. I know some friends of mine will take offense to that take. But that’s just my personal preference.
Please consider also reading:
Respond to this post on Twitter by following @RichardAllenIDR and @MichaelRMoats or by liking the InsideDirtRacing.com Facebook page.
Also, NASCAR and pavement racing fans can check out InsideCircleTrack.
