State of LateModel Racing

[Shadow32]

What is your opinion of the current state of Real Late Model Dirt Track Racing?

There is some tension in the air and a ton of unanswered questions concerning what is going to happen to our local late model series across the nation.

I for one hope that Boundless MS (DIRT) will be good for the sport.

As a fan ... I'm definately on that "wait and see" basis.

[EVR_BlackJack]

Well i think its getting to big for its own good. Ten years ago you had a couple races a month that where big shows paying 5,000-10,000.Now you can find a 5,000 show every week but they only get 25 30 cars. Years ago at some tracks 5,000 would bring in 40-50 cars.The money has got to be this high now because of cost to run a Late Model thats why alot of teams have went crate motor racing and more have went Modified racing and they get good car counts.Now as far as the sanctions there had been some good ones over the years and alot of bad ones to. A couple years ago there where to many racing agianst each other i liked the NDRA days and UMP/Pros and Stars the Havatampa i thought was to high ticket prices for the shows with only 20-30 cars.And now my dad has told me a month ago that Boundless has not payed some guys for last year from Northern Xtreme point fund which they said at baquet they would in December.They (Boundless) bought series from UMP after UMP bought it from Bland owner of the Extreme Dirt Car Series the old HavaTampa he also bought the old Stars series. So know with just one big owner i think us fans and owners suffer.Anyway my dad told me that those guys where owed money after he talked with Steve Casebolt of Richmond Ind and Bill Cunningham from Ohio and they said they hadnt been payed point fund yet and both are still owed about 15,000 and Davey Jhonson is owed 30,000.And now there getting a lawyer to try to get some of the money.So now i know some guys wont be running Boundless shows or aleast for point they wont maybe the big paying races. I think we need like two or three sanctions like a southern and eastern and west out to Iowa and have the big shows not compete with each other like in last 5 years has happend alot.But this is just my thoughts lol

[Shadow32]

They also purchased my local favorite Late Model Series - MARS. I'm carefully observing what changes they will make this year after stating they wouldn't change anything.

I believe with the MARS Series, the point fund money is put up by a sponser of the series. Last year it was the O'Reilly MARS.

That makes me wonder who was sponsering the point fund for Northern Xtreme... (Stacker?) and why were the drivers not paid?

I'm still cautiously observing this group who purchased all these premeire latemodel series. They have a lot to prove. Which I think would be easier if they actually made public what their true intentions are with each series.

[EVR_BlackJack]

Well i have found out the northern guys have been paid but i guess some southern guys have not still. I did not know they bought out the Mars series that seemed like a well run series.I have been to a few Mars races did Mars sponsor the Topless 100 maybe more i went to it back 97 and 98 or 98 and 99 lol old timers not sure.I would go watch the UMP summer swing what i call west lol Iowa Ill Ind. Not sure i can make Topless this year may ask KY if he wants to go but i would like to come out and watch the Mod show that will be a good one.

[Shadow32]

MARS doesn't sponser the Topless100. Mooney Star was the brainchild behind the MARS series and he also owns the track that hosts the Topless100. That being said, he normally ensures that the best latemodel drivers in this area are able to attend by NOT scheduling a MARS race against the Topless100. The MARS regulars are also involved in the Gibsons SHOWME100 held on Memorial Day Weekend @ WestPlains, MO.

Stacker2 is the "Official" Sponser of the MARS series now. I finally was able to watch a good MARS race at I-30 Speedway April23rd. For once the martians didn't tear up the track! In the past the track usually falls to pieces when they visit. (which may have been conicidentally - weather related)

The martians put on a good show wherever they visit. We were fortunate to have Dale McDowell show up and run someone elses hotrod. I guess he was dialing it in for the normal driver. One of my favorite drivers dominated the majority of the race and he would've won had a lapper heeded the flagman telling him to move over! The leader followed the lapper for a few laps then they made contact, which allowed the close running 2nd place, Jack Sullivan to capitalize and bring home the win. So far, I can't tell any difference in the MARS series now that the new owners and sponsers have their hands in the kitchen. But, I'm still being cautious and observing their moves.

[EVR_BlackJack]

Well went to my first Woo Late Model shows this year this weekend,well what a joke.First friday night at Brushcreek in Peeples Ohio Dale Mcdowell won only car to pass anyone looked like was Steve Francis not a bad race because track is soooooo fast its fun to watch train lol . But went Saturday to Haubstadt Indiana's Tommy Helfrichs track and they couldnt even feild full 24 starters had Mcdowells boy in backup car and some crew chiefs in backup cars lol.Up front wasnt bad racing but wasnt good lol.I thought paying 10,000 would draw more even in Sprint car country. I should have went to the LUCAS OIL N.A.R.A shows over in Illinois they had whole lot better racing and shows.Woo better start putting on better shows or they wont last. Mars ,N.A.R.A and BOB and others will be getting fans and cars.