So what's up with the points? Going into the race on July 21st my son Dan Gokee was behind the leader Alex Donnert by only 6 points. Alex won the heat race on the 21st which at that point should have put him up 16 on Dan Gokee, however Dan took second in the heat leaving Alex with only an 8 point lead. Durning the feature Alex was black flagged at the very end. That allowed Dan Gokee to win the feature event. The feature event is worth 30 points so that should have put Dan ahead in points by 22 points putting him in the lead. The stats show that Alex is still in the lead and that is incorrect. I think they are doing this only because Alex is a child and they feel sorry for him. I am upset about this and think justice needs to be done here. I feel that if they are going to allow young people to race, they should be considered racers regardless of their age. Give me a break here. If you are going to play with the big boys I think you should be bound to the same rules the big boys are bound to. If it had been Dan getting the black flagged, do you think he would have gotten the points? I'll bet not...He's not 12. I want to see my sons points restored and he be listed as the points leader he really is.

Probably the best to appeal is here:

Owosso Speedway
7204 M21, Ovid MI 48846
Bighause, Inc.
P.O. Box 1237, Fowlerville, MI 48836
President: Dave Bigos 517-204-6694
Vice President: Ron Hauser 734-368-0552
Office Number: 517-851-4743
Track Number: 989-834-5948

The last points update is on 7/28/2007 on the website.

Thank you

Your Welcome and Good Luck.

mrvids, Depends on that tracks rules, most tracks if your black flag during the race you would get last place points.

taken from Owosso's rules:
9: OFFICIAL FLAG INTERPRETATIONS
a) Any driver who does not obey the flag rules and/or lights will be subject to disqualification:

GREEN: Start race

BLUE/YELLOW STRIPE: Move over, you are being lapped

YELLOW: Caution, go slow and hold position

RED: Danger, slow down and come to a complete stop as soon as safely possible. Race stopped

BLACK: Pull off track for consultation

WHITE: One lap to go

CHECKERED: End of race

b) SPECIAL FLAGS: Special Flags may be used at discretion of starter and officials, but must be fully explained to all drivers before the race starts.

c) GREEN FLAG: When the green flag is given by the starter at the start of the race, cars must retain position until green flag waves. OWS officials may make special rulings on starts and restarts. Once the green flag waves, it is green all around the track.

d) PASSING FLAG: To be discussed at driver's meeting prior to race event. Lapped cars are encouraged to go to the lower groove of the speedway.

e) YELLOW FLAG: The yellow signifies caution and the flag will be given to the first car past the starter. After the yellow flag has been displayed cars must hold position until either the green flag is again displayed or the red flag which would automatically stop the race. Cars must slow down on all yellow flags. Drivers may be penalized one lap or more for each car passed while under the yellow flag. Also any driver falling out of single file for any reason may be required to go to the rear of the field. OWS officials will announce at the driver's meeting whether caution laps will be scored. Following a yellow flag, the field will be realigned according to the last completed green flag lap. Any car involved in an accident that is the cause of the yellow, except for debris, will start at the end of the field. (Example: those cars involved and causing the yellow flag will be determined by OWS officials. Cars spinning or stopping to avoid an accident or spinning after the yellow has been displayed will be allowed to restart in their position prior to the yellow as determined by OWS officials). No cars can stop on the track during yellow flag caution for any reason, except directed by OWS officials.

f) RED FLAG: The red flag means the race must be stopped immediately regardless of the position of the cars on the track. The red flag may be used, if in the opinion of the starter, the track is unsafe to continue the race. Cars should be brought to the starting line if possible and kept on the track proper. All repairs under red must be made in the pit area. Any car leaving the racing area during a red flag period, will start at the rear of the field. Deviation from this rule is cause for disqualification, unless approval of OWS officials has been given. Restarts after a red flag will be with cars in the order in which they were running on the last completed lap.

g) BLACK FLAG: Driver shall not continue in the race after getting the black flag. He must slow down and keep clear of the other cars in the race and pull into the pits or infield at the first opportunity for consultation. Disregarding black flag may result in a penalty. Drivers causing unnecessary delays in the race are subject to the black flag. If you are found to be racing three tenths (.300) over your qualifying time for any three (3) laps in any event, you will be black flagged and start the remainder of your day's events from the rear of the starting field. Three causes for a caution flag in the same event will be cause for you to be black flagged for that event. Scoring will cease on any car given the black flag on the second lap the black flag is received.

h) WHITE FLAG: The white flag indicates one more lap. It's most common application is to indicate one lap to go prior to receiving the checkered flag, but may also be used just prior to the green.

I) CHECKERED FLAG: When the checkered flag is displayed the race is officially over. When the checkered flag is given to the leader, the balance of the field receives the checkered flag in the same lap. Finishing positions will be paid off according to distance traveled and order across the finish line on the final lap, regardless of whether the car is still running or not. All cars must complete last full scored lap under their own power. No cars may be pushed across the finish line.

If you are found to be racing three tenths (.300) over your qualifying time for any three (3) laps in any event, you will be black flagged and start the remainder of your day's events from the rear of the starting field.


I think this should say "under your qualifying time"

Well here is my opinion of the situation. The track was wrong when they made the call in the first place. The second place car Alex, bumped with the first place car Dan. Both cars continued on without spinning, the yellow flag was never thrown and Alex crossed the line first and Dan second.


If they felt strongly that this pass in the 1st turn was unfair they should have thrown a yellow. Since when does a driver get disqaulified for his entire night because he had contact with another car but neither car spun and both finished?

I dont feel age has anything to do with this.

I feel that the track was wrong for even taking away the win from Alex and placing him in 4th place.


I am not saying your son did anything wrong because he did not but I am also saying that Alex didnt either though so I feel the track is to blame on this one.

Just my opinion, Claude

They did that to Gary Sherman at Owosso one time because he touched the car in front of him going into turn 1 on the last lap. The car he bumped didn't even get loose...Gary took it to small claims court and got paid his win money.

Mike

just let them race an lets stop with all the cryin an whine'n if all these tracks would let the racers race instead of catering to all the cry babies there would not be any of these problems RUBBIN-Z-RACIN

Laci, thanks for the update. I was just frustrated because of the point thing and did not feel it was fair. Dan is my kid just like Alex is yours and as parents we want to see only fair and honest things happen to them. I agree that it was confusing at the end of that race. I read all the rules (the ones you've posted here) and it sounded to me like something unfair had happened. You probably don't remember, but i had the opportunity to meet both of you that night and i have to say that you were both very polite and appeared to be genuinely concerned for all the people involved with this incident. Alex appeared to me to be a very good kid and he was very sportsman like to come over to Dan and see if he was alright that night. I do appreciate that very much. My beef in all this was never with Alex himself, it was just the way things were done that it didn't seem fair. I've been going to this track for years to watch family members and i've seen some things that were at the very least questionable. That night was no exception. I realize that the black flag was given to Alex so that he would pull off the track for consultation. At that point i'm sure they would have fastened down his hood and continued the race had there been more laps to finish. This is my son's first year of racing and i just wanted to be sure that justice was done and rules were complied with. Good luck with the rest of the season. I'll be in the stands watching and routing for my son of course but all the while i'll be asking God to protect both of our kids. Thanks again. Tina

The Big O owners wont even return a phone call. How do you appeal if they wont respond to the inquiries?

See why cant every racers Mom be polite and have her facts strait Before she comes on here To voice her or his problems i wasnt there but i know Dan and Alex are very respectful drivers and they both need a pat on the back for the season there doing a great job!!!



And give em hell Aunt Tina!!!!!

This has always been one of the strongest points of Owosso speedway for me and my family, the racers, the fans, the atmosphere, all these things make Owosso a great place to race, to watch, and to hang out. Every division, every track, in every state will have accidents and incidents when you race, just a fact in racing. Im not saying that this makes every caution justified, I wish that I would never be involved in a caution whether my fault or someone else's. I have (accidentally) wrecked my cousin in a heat race, I have been wrecked (accidentally) by THREE of my closest friends. But whatever happened on the track, by the end of the night everything is understood and forgiven (okay sometimes a few days) and its back to enjoying what we all love., Racing! racing in Mi is getting tough all over, racing at Owosso is getting real tough with all the rumors and whatnots about the place. Nearly every step they take is another black eye for them anymore. I really hope that things can turn around for the place and some how she can get back to her old glory. I have raced a few other tracks, Alex has been racing the last couple of weeks at Autocity, and have been treated good. There will always be racing, some where. I cannot wait to watch the ASA late models at Owosso, who doesn't think that it wont be a great show? I think I have drifted off on some kind of ramble, so I will end this by saying: We are really looking forward to this weekend at Owosso, we have tons of family and friends coming out for autograph night.

That would be completely up to the management at Owosso Speedway.

well sandy ade keeps points and she has an mstrc name and im the new announcer at owosso and i can talk to her for you! her mstrc name is sandy_ade

Thats just typical of owosso speedway management Tina. Dan's a great guy and a good friend and Cousin. He's turned into a pretty good driver this year too. Get em Danno!

I've had several people/friends ask me why i was so nice when i responded to Laci and realized that they hadn't even seen the message i received from Laci himself. Here it is. ------Believe mrs. Gokee, no official feels sorry for Alex, or gives him any break. We appealed the black flag, it was the wrong call, why get DQ'd when no car spun and no caution came out, both cars finished the race. Alex did not mean to hit your car at all, he hastily apologized to Dan and felt very badly about it. The black flag took away Alex's win (he did cross the finish line first) and moved him to last place (he didnt deserve to win like that). Your son is a very fair competitor, and a great driver. We have had fun racing with him very much this year. This class is for beginners, no matter what the age accidents happen, cars are going to hit each other. Is it right? NO. Do I think that makes it okay? NO. I would never let my driver race dirty, or tell him to do so. Anyone that knows me, should be able to tell you that I myself do not race this way. Even in the upper echelon of classes (like supers or mods) there is a caution nearly every single race. I know that you are upset over this, but the black flag was the wrong call, that is why the whole crowd was booing that night. Im sorry that the incident ever happened. Good luck this weekend. (if we even have a track to race at.)
Laci Donnert----- I thought this message was a very informative one and I appreciated it very much. I still think my kid should be in first place, but life goes on and there will be other years other races. Afterall he's a part of one of the longest running race teams in Mid Michigan. The Gokee Racing Team. Go Go Gokees

The first thing is that if you have a problem with the points you are supposed to go to the person in charge of doin them (witch is me) not the owners. I have posted my e-mail and made many announcements at the track about this so if you have a problem you need to come to me within 3 days after they are posted to appeal them. Thanks Sandy

I'm sure this is just a typo, but........

Most likely a good witch

Racing ruby slippers of course

Sorry, I've never seen your E-mail address anywhere, Never heard the announcment @ the track. Would have been nice to get that answer within the three day appeal window when I enquired. Thanks for your time.