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Fast Talk: O'Neal's major victory praised, analyzed
Here’s the latest edition of Fast Talk, a DirtonDirt.com feature appearing each Monday and sponsored by Out-Pace Racing Products. 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: Let’s start by delving into Florence Speedway’s Sunoco North-South 100, where Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., collected $50,000 for the second straight season. Last year, O’Neal’s North-South victory was among the highlights of a 15-victory season. This time around, it’s just his second victory of the season and first in six months — something he surely hopes will resuscitate the MasterSbilt house car team. | Complete North-South coverage
After O’Neal’s struggles most of the season, there probably weren’t a lot of fans expecting him to lead all 100 laps from outside the front row. But he ran the tricky high groove — and survived a spin that we’ll talk about shortly — to win. We’ve been waiting this winless streak to end for a while now, haven’t we?
Michael Rigsby: I can't believe it lasted this long. There was just no reason after last year, you wouldn't expect him to come out and rattle off another 8- to 12-win season, but he went six months without a victory. Staggering really when you think about it. It just goes to show how fickle this sport is. I do know this: I have never seen Don O'Neal so relieved after a victory. It was probably one of the best interviews he and I have ever had together, just because he was so happy. So excited. And so relieved to finally get the monkey off his back this year. We'll see if it immediately pays dividends.
Joshua Joiner: Count me among those that didn't expect O'Neal to win, much less dominate Saturday's 100-lapper. Last year he may have been one of the most dominant drivers in the country and a threat to win every race he entered, he just hasn't been nearly that good this season. It would've been hard to imagine him being so fast at Florence, but he and the MasterSbilt guys found something, and it worked. It definitely was a huge win for him and their team. Like you said, Todd, I'm sure they're hoping to take this and build some momentum with a long stretch of money races coming up.
TT: Let’s hash out the big question: Did O’Neal deserve to keep his spot after colliding and spinning with Earl Pearson Jr. to draw a lap-56 caution? For the record, here’s what the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series rulebook says about such situations: “After an on-track incident, the car or cars that come to a stop on the racetrack, that were involved in the incident will be those that are sent to the rear before the restart.”
I don’t envy officials having to making these difficult calls — especially this one involving the leader in a big-money race — but it comes down to how “come to a stop” is interpreted. If it’s interpreted as the driver keeps moving (backwards, forwards, sideways, etc.) — as it appears it was here — then the right call was made.
I’d argue that another way to interpret it is that when a car is rolling backwards, as O’Neal’s was, then starts moving forward again, at some millisecond, that car came to a stop. Worth discussing? Or, as runner-up Tim McCreadie said, the fastest car won and it’s not worth rehashing?
JJ: First of all, plenty of people, McCreadie included, have pointed out that O’Neal had the fastest car and deserved to win the race. Well yes, he had by far the fastest car, but you still have to avoid making mistakes and successfully negotiate lapped traffic. There’s plenty of instances were the best car didn’t win the race, so I don't really buy that argument.
TT: Perhaps to clarify, I don't think T-Mac said it didn't matter. ... but he wasn't going to use it for an excuse that he should've won.
MR: All we have is the rulebook. We ask the officials to follow the rules, and that's exactly what they did here. You watch the video, and it's clear his wheels never stopped moving. If we're going by the letter of the law, which is what we ask these series to do, then 100 percent yes, the right call was made. Obviously, I'm with you Todd. On some level, there's a "gray area" when a guy is pointed the wrong direction on the track. But if we dive into that also, and come up with a rule that says “if at any time a driver is pointed the wrong direction on the track,” I can find about 1,000 holes in the interpretation of that rule as well. At the end of the day, by the letter of the law, 100 percent the right call was made.
JJ: Nothing against O’Neal — he was dominant and made the most of the second chance — but I’m not crazy about the rules in that situation regarding whether a driver stopped or not. How can a driver wreck himself and a lapped car, spin out, drive backward on the track, and still keep his position? In any circumstances, it sounds like that driver should’ve gone to the tail.
TT: One final North-South thought. Interesting that the O’Neal-McCreadie finish at Florence reversed the McCreadie-O’Neal finish for $50,000 a week earlier at Cedar Lake’s USA Nationals. Let’s hear it for the gas-mashers, right?
MR: As I've said a million times: When the gas-mashers are rolling, the sport is better.
JJ: Definitely good to see both of those guys having success. Both drivers are fun to watch.
TT: Let’s stick with some other Lucas Oil Series news regarding the Jackson 100, Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway’s biggest event. There were howls of protest — if you can howl online — when Brownstown’s premier race was initially cut to 50 laps and a a single day because of some series scheduling shuffling in making up another rainout. New promoter Jim Price huddled with the series last week to come up with a way to restore the race to 50 laps, boost the purse to a solid $15,000-to-win for the Sept. 21 event — no doubt a way to earn some goodwill in his first attempt at running a racetrack. Let’s hope that as many complained initially about the change put their money where their mouth is and support the event to make it a success. I know you’re happy with this, Michael.
JJ: That was my first thought, Todd, when I heard the news. I sure hope many of the fans who complained about the cutback will support the race now that the new promoter is taking the risk of a bigger payout. Let's all just hope it turns out to be a success for all involved.
MR: It just made so much sense. There are certain races, where the name means so much. The Jackson 100 name carries so much weight in the Midwest, and with the number of laps right there in the title, it was hard to cut it. As an old school Jackson 100 fan, I'm happy. Kudos to both Lucas Oil and Brownstown for making this happen.
TT: Let’s briefly hit the regional circuits. What strikes you all? Double-series victories for Chad Simpson (Corn Belt Clash) and Brian Shirley (Sunoco ALMS)? Tony Jackson Jr. continuing his impressive season with another victory to maintain his MARS and MLRA points leads? Jason Utter’s richest victory last weekend at West Liberty? Let’s hear it.
JJ: It was definitely a big weekend for Chad Simpson. For really the first time, he's been a bit overshadowed this season by the success of his brother Chris, but he's had a solid season himself, and is really hitting his stride as he heads toward an impressive fourth consecutive Corn Belt Clash title. ... It's hard to believe that Brian Shirley only had two victories on the season going into the weekend. But he really looks poised for a successful second half after picking up some momentum here lately. ... It was also good to see Will Vaught get back in victory lane in the King of the Hill opener Friday night at McCool Junction. He's had a bit of a dry spell, but managed to break out of it this weekend.
MR: I'm still struck by the rise of Tony Jackson Jr. It's not like he came out of nowhere, but it's pretty striking. It was good to see Brian Shirley get a pair of wins. I know he's headed to Batesville this weekend, so we'll see if that carries over. I've also decided that I'm taking some of these regional guys and shooting them up my Top 25 poll. They're not getting enough love from our voters. Come on, guys!
TT: The national tours are back in action with a Winston-Merritt doubleheader for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series in Michigan, and Lucas Oil’s $40,000-to-win Comp Cams Topless 100 at Batesville (Ark.) Motor Speedway. Batesville is where John Blankenship got on a roll that led to him taking the series points lead for a couple of weeks. He needs another good run there after his late demise at Florence, or Jimmy Owens might start rebuilding his lead on the way to a third straight title. Any national touring thoughts for you guys?
JJ: We're at the point where the national points chases are taking shape for the stretch run. On the Lucas Oil side, Steve Francis and John Blankenship can't allow Owens to get much farther out, or they likely won't be able to catch him with the way he's running lately. And it's even more dire for Shane Clanton and Darrell Lanigan on the World of Outlaws. They need to start making some significant strides, or Josh Richards will be headed for another championship.
MR: I also chatted with Steve Francis this week for the Videocast, and you can sense it when you talk to him. He really thinks he's right there for this title — and he's probably right. One interesting thing on Francis would be the number of times he's finished second in points in his career in a major touring series. From Hav-A-Tampa to World of Outlaws, and now possibly Lucas, it's been a lot. I think he's really wanting to avoid that this year if possible. As for the Outlaws, I really think we'll know in the next two weeks what's going to happen. If Josh pulls away at all, it's over quickly I think.
