Here's a peek at the (then) TOP SECRET Camping World Truck Series test at Eldora Speedway earlier this summer; a test that gave rise to today's announcement that the series will race on Tony Stewart's legendary dirt track on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 for the inaugural Mudsummer Classic, marking NASCAR's first sanctioned National Tour event on dirt since September of 1970 in Raleigh, N.C.
Can't wait!!!
ReplyDeleteIs this too cool or what?!?!?!?! This is going to be so awesome!!!
DeleteWell I guess trucks and dirt do go together...
ReplyDeleteTony has the best playground ever.
ReplyDeleteWatching the video, I don't know how that will translate to 30 trucks. Dirt races are a blast to watch when they are being run by purpose built dirt cars. I know the trucks going there will be purpose built, but that is going to cause glaring contrasts between the big money teams, and the ones without.
It seems like an unfair burden to put on owners right now. A once a year race, with a truck that's only good for one race a year. I always thought it would be cool if Cup went to dirt. When they did the first Prelude, I realized then that its only cool if the right cars are out there. And, that its cool because they do it as a fun event once a year.
I also noticed El Dora had no SAFER barriers. Are there any plans to install them before the race? I don't think it would look too good for NASCAR if a 16 year old kid got killed on a track that doesn't meet the safety requirements that every other track is forced to adhere to. I know its dirt, and its slower, but guys have died before on slow dirt tracks in slower cars.
I hope it goes off without a hitch, and I hope there are plans for safety upgrades.
They announced that the creators of the Safer barrier were coming to the track to work out a design for dirt courses. No worries. If Andy Hillenburg can pay for them at Rockingham, Tony can afford the bill at a track half the size. I cannot wait. This will probably go down as one of the most watched truck races there has ever been.
DeleteThey said the makers of the SAFER barrier were coming to Eldora to see if they COULD work out a system that would work there. They determined that they could not.
DeleteSo what are they gonna do about the SAFER barrier?
DeleteJeff,
DeleteThe University of Nebraska ruled that there would be no need for safer barriers. I am guessing this is why NASCAR is not pushing Eldora to have them installed prior to the event.
SO COOL!!
ReplyDeleteWow
ReplyDeleteWow
ReplyDeleteGoosebumps and chills just watching it!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis ought be a good thing for the sport
ReplyDeleteI think this is cool, but I don't think it will be the best racing. Can you imagine what kind of dry, slick, rubbered down, slow, caution filled racing his will be after 36 trucks run on it after 100 laps...especially if it is a daytime race? 50 laps would be great, maybe 100, but not more than that.
ReplyDeleteWednesday Night Race
DeleteI like dirt racing, but I don't feel like this is right. There was a day and time when drivers came up through dirt tracks to make their way to the big leagues, but these days, there are drivers that don't have a clue about dirt track racing. And they might pick it up quick enough to destroy a couple of cars fewer than Evernham, but in an age where NASCAR is supposed to be cost conscious for the teams, they're forcing them to develop a dirt program, which for some, will include the costs of days of testing to not just acclimate their driver to dirt, but teach their driver how to drive on dirt.
ReplyDeleteDirt racing has it's place but if that place was the big leagues, then the top auto racing series in America would be a dirt track series, not an asphalt track series.
But I will watch.
ReplyDeleteI was at the last dirt race in Raliegh,thats what got me hooked on NASCAR, wish I could be there, but living in a resort town i can't get time off in summer. if I could I'd be there in a heartbeat! best news i've heard all winter!
ReplyDeleteWow. Should b a great show. 30 trucks!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting to watch, but I think this is just an added expense for the Camping World Truck Series, home of the best racing and the lowest purses in Nascar.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I will definitely be watching. And it's definitely something the fans have been clamoring for. Can't say Nascar isn't listening.
Don't get too excited folks. All we're gonna see is mainly cup drivers in this race. They scheduled it on a Wednesday prior to pocono hmmmm. So yes it should be fun but I think close to half the field will be cup drivers in much superior equipment at their version of disneyland (racing just for fun)
ReplyDelete"Close to half the field will be Cup drivers?" I'll take that bet in a heartbeat!
DeleteI'm not sure how the "purse" works...if the track or sponsors put up the prize money? If it's the track I'm curious to see how generous Stewart is to his peers! Can't wait to watch the race!
ReplyDeleteExcited about this. It does get back to the roots of what the Truck Series was too at first. Should be something of a sprint race I imagine. Cup drivers coming down shouldn't be a surprise. Going to be a race I'll definitely want to watch just for the spectacle alone.
ReplyDelete