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Fast Talk: Speedweeks coming up on horizon
Here's the latest edition of Fast Talk, a new DirtonDirt.com feature appearing each Monday. Staffers Michael Rigsby, Todd Turner and Joshua Joiner gather weekly for a roundtable discussion about who's hot, who's not and other issues regarding Dirt Late Model racing (edited for clarity and length):
Todd Turner: A check of the calendar says it's time for Georgia-Florida Speedweeks, so if you're feeling the itch, you're not alone. With NASCAR pushing the Daytona 500 back one week this year, schedule changes rippled throughout the racing world, including the familiar Super Late Model dates.
Back in 2008 we already had five races under our belts by now, so it's a bit of an adjustment. I guess if nothing else, the extra week gives teams heading south some bonus time to get their equipment ready, especially for the new teams.
Michael Rigsby: The initial look at the schedule didn't give me any pause, but now that we've got a few weeks to breath in between, I think it's a good thing. I think we'll notice it more on the back end, when it's almost March, and we're still racing at Speedweeks. One thing is for sure, though, I'm not sure there's been this much energy and excitement regarding Speedweeks since that year in '08. Teams are buzzing, fans are buzzing, and I really think it's gonna be a bounce-back year for Speedweeks. Good races everywhere, no matter what track you're at. Flat out, let's get it on.
Joshua Joiner: I can definitely see how that would benefit race teams to have the extra time to get ready, which, who knows, might help the car counts by a few cars. But for the Dirt Late Model fans it's just another week to have to wait. I agree with Michael it feels like there's a lot of momentum and excitement for the sport heading into Speedweeks. Now we just need it to hurry up and get here.
TT: I don't want to completely scoop our extensive Speedweeks previews that will begin this week and run through the beginning of the first action Feb. 10, but let's kick around some key stories we'll touch on.
One thing that strikes me is there'll be some focus on new teams and combinations with Jonathan Davenport moving to Clint Bowyer Racing, as well as Steve Francis replacing Davenport in the Barry Wright house car. Austin Hubbard is pairing with Tim Logan Motorsports and Tim McCreadie will try to continue the success he had in his new Warrior Race Car in Arizona.
We've seen the Kennedy Motorsports team of Shane Clanton and John Lobb briefly in Tucson, but that's a new pairing, too. Likewise it appears a "new" team will actually be an old one with Josh Richards in the Rocket Chassis house car with his asphalt aspirations apparently on hold.
What are other key storylines you guys will be watching?
MR: Same here. We have so many great stories coming out this week I don't want to wash them out, but a few quick ones: It's hard to ignore the conflicting dates at East Bay and Ocala. Who will go where come Thursday? Will we honestly see some guys go to East Bay for three days and then leave for Bubba Raceway Park? Will Golden Isles be the hidden gem that people think it could be, a race that could draw 35 cars — or will it be 65 cars? I also really wonder if fans are as excited about Speedweeks as drivers and the media seems to be. Todd, what are your quick thoughts?
TT: With so many tracks and races involved, and conflicting series events, it seems like fertile territory for some surprising drivers to jump out and make a name for themselves. Perhaps at Screven especially, which isn't your typical Georgia track. Should be a neat mix of drivers when we finally see which drivers choose to race at which tracks.
JJ: I think you pretty much hit on the majority of the big storylines there Todd, but you've got to wonder how the conflicting race dates are going to affect things this year. Because of the split car counts the conflicting races will likely cause, I wouldn't be surprised if we see some surprise Speedweeks winners or at least a few strong runs that were unexpected.
Another thing I'll be watching is the performance of World of Outlaws Late Model Series regulars. Last year those guys were underwhelming in Florida, for the most part. But with six WoO events during Speedweeks this season as opposed to just two last year, it's going to be critical for those guys to get a good start to the year and not dig a hole in the points chase.
TT: Another thing I find interesting is that so many more drivers have made public announcements about their intentions to run for rookie honors on the World of Outlaws, many more than with the rival Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Of course, this can all change with how teams perform at Speedweeks, but it seems to me that the depth on Lucas Oil might appear more daunting to prospective rookies.
While previous champions Jimmy Owens, Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr. are expected back on Lucas Oil with Don O'Neal, Ray Cook and Francis — and the addition of Davenport and perhaps Hubbard — it might be tough to even crack the top 10 on that series. On the other hand, rookies might see the World of Outlaws as less crowded where some good Speedweeks performances can give them a chance to get a leg up. What do you guys think?
MR: The rookie thing on the WoO end fascinates me. You even wonder if all of those guys will make it out of Speedweeks, because it's going to be so cutthroat. One of those rookies will be in great shape, one will be in horrible shape, and a few others will have to decide if they're gonna go long-haul with it. Which drivers are which will be fascinating to figure out.
TT: Definitely we — and fans — should take the plans that drivers announce in February with a grain of salt. A season's schedule can literally can hinge on the psychological effect of a single Speedweeks race.
JJ: I wouldn't be surprised if the WoO rookie list is cut in half by the time Speedweeks is over. There's no doubt the WoO series is more inviting right now for rookies than Lucas Oil is, and I think that will make things interesting with one or two guys. On the other hand, if there does seem to be one or two breakaway favorites early, it may cause other potential WoO rookies to rethink things.
TT: Joshua put together a nice piece last week about several promoters and track owners putting big money into their facilities, including a yet unnamed track being built in Bartlesville, Okla. Michael, I know your hunch is that the dirt racing economy is looking up, and it is impressive to see promoters confident enough in the 2012 season to put their money where there mouth is.
Also, we talked last year about the gloom and doom about a spate of track closures in the late spring, but it's also uplifting that most of those tracks reopened at least in some capacity last year and have plans for 2012. Also other tracks have added regular Late Model divisions, like 81 Speedway near Wichita, Kan., and Thunderbird Speedway in Muskogee, Okla. (the old half-mile Muskogee Motor Speedway). All good signs, right?
MR: I could really feel it at the end of last year, and I know some people think I'm crazy, but I honestly think we're looking at a bounce-back year. Look at the car count in Arizona (more than 80 drivers over six races), the car count at Boyd's (46 Super Late Models for Jan's 28's Cabin Fever 40), and people generally spending more money. I think things are on the rise. Hopefully this year local racing will see a good uptick, too.
JJ: Those are all great signs. That's funny you mention Boyd's, Michael. I was actually about to point out that out myself. The fact that a $3,000-to-win race attract a car count in the high 40s is definitely an uplifting sign. I still stand by my belief that car counts aren't as important as some people make the out to be. But when you see a race like that, or the car count in Arizona, it looks positive.
TT: He's coming around on car counts, Michael.
JJ: The thing about Boyd's is those the cars there were a lot of regional and mid-level guys. Hopefully that's also a sign that regional tours are going to bounce back this year, too.
TT: Let's end with a brief discussion about 2013. Mike Vaughn, founder of the NeSmith Chevrolet Late Model Series for traditional Crate Late Models, has announced plans for a Super Late Model tour focused on Chevrolet's CT525 all-aluminum engine. It's a Crate motor but more powerful than the 602s and 604s we commonly associate with Crate racing, and it's the powerplant that Ronnie Johnson has used in outrunning the much more expensive open-competition powerplants in MARS and Southern All Star events, among others.
C.J. Rayburn's National All Star Racing Association encouraged the CT525's starting a few years back, but it appears this will be the next big push to get this engine adopted. We're a year away, but how do you see this developing?
MR: I'll be the first to admit that Crate racing isn't my area of expertise, but I think we're coming to a crossroads in the next 18 months, where we'll find out if Crate racing is going to be the inevitable replacement for weekly racing and beyond, or hit a the ceiling where it's at now. I have a hunch it's here to stay, especially with NeSmith's influence in the South, and the things Mike and his team can put together.
TT: In my limited knowledge about what all this means for engines and engine builders, it does seem to be that at many smallish tracks, the CT525 seems like a reasonable alternative for at least weekly racers. Maybe this will encourage a few more guys to dip their toes in the water.
JJ: I'm a supporter of Crate Late Model racing as an alternative for teams who can't afford to run Supers, but I really don't see a CT525-specific series working. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like there's a definite market for the 604 and 602 engines because they're so much cheaper than open motors. But for what you have to spend on a 525 motor — about $10,000 race-ready — I think it just won't be as popular. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely a lot cheaper than open motors, but when it comes to race teams, I don't think there's a lot of guys in a mid-level budget range. I guess what I'm saying is teams either have enough money to go Super racing or enough to go Crate racing. I don't see there being a lot in between.
