The Brian Heeney Memorial race, The Wild Child 100, for modifieds at Spartan Speedway was rained out. The starting field was set and it will be run on June 13th. It will be run with a regular show, including a normal feature for the mods. The front gate cost will stay the same as a normal night.

How many mods showed up?

24

Gov

Congratulations to the Gov going second quick in my "back up car". It was odd to see my own car out there, after I'd already qualified. I'm looking forward to the 100 laps.


So am I reading that right Keith. The mods will run 100 laps, then 35 for the regular show... Wow that's a lot of racing.

I would like to THANK! Team Dodge for loaning me one of their car's to put my Bow Tie engine in, plus say job well done to Perry by winning the dash with a Governor's Motor Sports power plant.

I just might have to learn how to build a Dodge Engine now as there are 2 or 3 out there in need of a builder.

Some times when you venture to the dark side good things come.

So now it looks like we will have 2 more weeks with our chassis / power plant swap deal, now we need to make sure we keep both cars in the top 5 for the 100 lapper and possibly come away with a 1 - 2 finish.

This will now give me a couple of weeks to get the Governor's Motor Sport's Lefthander Chassis back together with the new body and color scheme.

Gov,

Perhaps you should try a Dodge powerplant....

I'd say that 1-2 finish is pretty attainable.

So what do you know about a Dodge engine, other than it has 8 cylinders, 16 valves, and holds oil....lol




Perry

And hot laps, nd qualifying, and heats?

Yeah, a lot of mod squad action on June 13.

That will be the night to be at Spartan Speedway.

have a good day,

schinde

Holy Crap!!! All that for $12 in the main stand.

I'm going to need my wheaties!

I gotta call Barry's trainer again now... And start all over with the blood doping... Stupid rain...

Gov- You're gonna need a different shop if you want to start doing dodge motors. You don't want to risk cross-contaminating any of the real race engines that come through there...

Mike

Another plug for the Gov......

Wayne Haughton picks up heat race win.........power supplied by Governors Motorsports!

Mike,


Ass!

LOL...Whoops, I forgot...you run those...

The field is set for the 100 ? It looked like rain and 3.5 hours away , that was a no brainer . I Would be interested in coming down to run the 13th .

Is there any thoughts of straglers for that night ?

Mike Luberda

Mike,

I'm not sure on that one. There will be a regular show as well that night. My guess (purely my guess) is that the only cars allowed in the 100 lappper will be those qualified for it. Just my guess. But I'm sure that all would like it if you came down for the regular show that night.

Perry

They announced that the field is locked in already. They had already ran the consi to finish up the field.

OK , Thank you. Maybe next time .

Mike L

This is not what I understood Jim Leasure to say at the driver's meeting. What I heard was, the make-up date for the Heeney Memorial was June 13. There was no mention of us running double features that night. What he did say was that the other classes that were there would have make-up features this coming Friday and that they would have to buy a pit pass, but would get paid twice. Personally, I feel 100 laps is too many to begin with. Another feature on that same night is totally ridiculous and I'll tell you a few reasons why. 1- First and foremost, no fuel is sold after the start of the first feature. 2- Modifieds don't have charging systems. They run on just static battery power. You need time to recharge your battery in your car, not to mention the battery in your own body. 3 - We will use up 4 races worth of brakes, motors, tires, etc in one night & only 2 guys are going to get the big bucks. All the rest will get mediocore pay & go home with all their stuff worn out. If the track needs my $25 so bad that night, then just charge me and run only 1 feature. What about the guys who get tore up or broke in the 100 lapper & can't start the 2nd feature after already paying their money & qualifying. They won't even get start money for that race. Not to mention the points implications. I know some of you guys think running that many laps in one night is really cool. Stop & think about it realistically. What about the guys that run on Saturday night also, at Springport & other tracks. Its an awful lot to ask of any driver whether you are in your 20's, 30's,40's,50's, 60's. We have drivers in all those age groups. I wonder how many helmets will be thrown that night from exhaustion & frustration. I hope everyone thinks about this a little more, especially Jim Leasure since it is ultimately his decision not ours. Just my thoughts. Larry

I heard Jim announce that the race was called for the night. The 100 mod feature would be run on June 13 in addition to the regular races scheduled for that night. You may want to contact him but I am sure that is the way it was announced.

If you check Spartan's message board, he has already cancelled the Supers for June 13. So, he's already changed what you heard announced. He didn't say anything at the driver's meeting about double features for the mods. Only for the other classes and that was supposed to be this coming Friday, June 6.

Larry I was just going off of what Bid Ed announced over the PA. I agree with you on the two features in one night with one being 100 laps.

I thought about this overnight after reading Larry's post.

I agree. Especially on the points aspect of it. I don't run for points, but it would be a real bummer if someone trying to win a championship ended up with a DNF in the 100 lapper and then couldn't start the 35 lap feature.

That's a double point penalty if that happens.

Modman55,

Running 135 feature laps can and will be fun, if in fact this is Jims plan for the mods.
Cooler heads, and good planning by both the track and teams will make for a successful evening of racing.
We will bring some extra fuel jugs, or Jim could keep the fuel tanks open longer.
I think we can find a back up battery to bring along in case it's needed. But we all will have to besure to put the chargers on whenever the cars are not on track.

Anyone can crash in hot laps, any given week, and not get start money or points. They may even miss the Saturday night show at Springport. Its racing, and it can happen.

For every feature ever run, one goes home with the big money, the rest with less. So I might be missing your point. You did come out and qualify for what amounts to a three feature race, knowing full well the expected wear and tear, and cost you will incure for one chance at the big money did you not? Just come prepared, fully hydrated, to run 35 more, for another chance to win again.

Now I'm not trying to start an argument, we can agree to disagree. But you are one of the few I would expect to see running at the front, with a good shot at both wins.

Brian

There are not many other solutioins to this dilemma without more sacrifice then what will already be asked.

How long do you prolong any possible make up events?/ I think Jim has done the best he can do in this situation, to attempt to keep as many people happy as possible, and still honor the pay, and points, to every driver that was there on Friday. And most of all, most importatntly, give the FANS their money's worth, for enduring what they did on Friday also.

The 100 lap Feature will be the first one out of the gate on the 13th. Then we will go into our regular show, and I'd be willing to bet the Mods would be the last division up to give all you Mod drivers the time you need to rest, and get ready for the rest of the evening. This does NOT happen every week, and I'm sure it will be taxing on a few of you, but I just don't see many other solutions that are viable, and work in a way to try and satisfy the masses.

Any time a big event like this gets postponed because of weather, it always begs for sacrifice from most of all the participants. This one is no different.

Actually there is what I came up with as a simple solution. Run Double features THIS friday OR on the 20th. 2 35 lap feature is pretty common.

All these well funded guys might have extra stuff...some of us don't. My battery is 6 years old- I don't HAVE a spare. I don't have a LOT of things that most of these guys have... I don't even own enough fuel jugs to bring that much fuel.

Stuff like this is ALWAYS fun until something goes wrong. I can't afford to gamble regardless of how tired I get from driving 100 laps.

Mike

Mike,

That is simple for YOU. We advertise a 100 lap Memorial race, which I heard not ONE single complaint about until now. We have fans to think about also. We can't schedule a 100 lapper, then go back from that. And what about the Heeney Family, and the sponsors, and all the lap sponsorship???

It's just not as simple as you may seem to think it is Mikey!!!

Ed. I don't think you understand what I am suggesting.

I signed up to run 100 laps and I want to run 100 laps.

What I am suggesting is to make up the normal 35 lap feature that would take place on the 13th.

So, Run 100 laps on the 13th...Run double features the following week. (could do it this week, but it's a little late to announce it).

It still seems simple to me unless I'm missing something...


Mike

Actually its not that simple for Mike and I either, it boogers up our schedule, since I was scheduled to be in the car for the rain date. Now the problem is my schedule is too busy to shift much around. I bring the fuel to the track, as much as will fit in my street car, and we bought some last week, this is a problem because we need a lot more to run that much more, it actually requires that I buy another barrel today. Granted I know it's not all about me, I just wanted to explain some of Mike's frustration. There's a lot of unforeseen expenses here that play together to make this tough, since we couldnt budget for it.

I agree with Larry that this is a lot of wear and tear on the cars too, we'd also planned on buying tires with the payout from the 100 for the next week, so now we have to go over budget to change tires after the race. This is also likely to provide the longest run we've had on these tires, and none of us know how they will hold up. We might run out of money after the 100lapper unless they pay us right afterwards (which I know is a LOT to ask).

I'd much rather get comped for my pitpass and re-run the race, which gives more people a chance to make it in. Scrapping the QF and heats will still save me money due to all the other expenses.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not pissed or anything, this is what happens when you push mother nature, we have to deal with it. Just trying to explain the logic we're using.

I do understand. I know this effects every single person that was there on Friday. There is no easy solution that will make 100% of the people involved happy, not one. Someone will be taken aback by what ever decision we made to try and make this all up.

I wish I had an easy answer that would satisfy every single person involved. The Heeney's, the sponsors, the drivers, the promoter, and most of all, the fans.

Mike, I understand your thinking now, I think. But then how do you do that?? Twin 35 lappers on the 20th, with what, using qualifying that night for both features?? That leaves out a night of heat race, and qualifying points and money. I would assume drivers running for points may not be happy with that alternative either.

I suppose we can continue to come up with ideas that may be better, but the thing is, Jim had to make a decision, and announcement on Friday night. He did not have the luxury of waiting and needed to come up with a contingency plan that would accomidate the most people. I think he did the best he could, but I know that some will differ with my opinion.

...and if the 20th gets rained out, then what? Run three 35 lappers the following week?

100 laps isn't that much. The Pony Stocks can run 60 laps at Springport like it's nothing. You modified guys can run 100 laps at Spartan along with an additional 35 laps, I know you can. It isn't that big of a deal.

If the Brian Heeney race was 135 laps, what would you do?

I'd be willing to bet Brian would love to run a 35 lap feature on the same night he ran a 100 lap feature.

And besides, don't the Mods get a break at the halfway point for refueling? You guys can rest up and get ready for the remainder of the race. You wimps.

I'd also be willing to bet that Jim will make fuel available at the track after the 100 lap race is over with.

Deal with it, just be thankful you can race at all.

Do what Brian would do.

-Maurice

I thought about that... Mods could qualify on the 13th for the first feature for the 20th...just like it would happen if a normal event rained out. Anyone else that shows up on the 20th can run 2nd round qualifying(if necessary) and start behind those already qualified.

It makes more sense to run 100 laps 1 night and 35x2 the following week than it does to try and gamble on trying to do it all on the 13th.

I don't think I'm wrong at all in suggesting that low budget teams should have more pull on decisions like this. All the teams with funding and extra equipment are going to be there either way. Some of them may even have arrangements for a back-up car. The rest of the guys that race there don't have those opportunities. So why force all of the drivers to do something risky just because some of the guys are ready and able???

And also...I'm not trying to be bitchy or grumpy either. I'm just trying to represent our team and others like us who are barely afloat this season.

Mike

Of course, another alternative would have been to cancel the regular Modified show on the 13th and only run the 100 lap feature.

Would you guys have settled for a decision like that one?

How do you think the Super Late Model guys are feeling right now?

-Maurice

That would be much better than if the 13th rained out. Then what would they do? Run a 100 lapper and two 35 lappers the next week???

Like I said... If you have funding, spare tires, wheels, batteries...then it ISN'T a big deal.

Are we going to make desisions that are only good for the well funded teams, or are we going to make desisions that are in the best interest of the class as a whole?

And please don't compare ponies to modifieds. You know better than that. I'm not saying Mods are better... I'm just saying that they are nothing alike.

Mike

That would be absolutely fine as long as we don't have to pay again.

Super guys? All 5 or 6 of them? They don't have to pay if they aren't racing.

We've already got tow money into this, pitpasses, tires, fuel... Not to disrespect the supers for any reason, but we have money that we already spent, so we gotta come first.

Mike

Mike,

Don't worry, I agree with you and Larry on a lot of stuff. But, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. And in the end, you'll enjoy the entire evening of racing, even if it does consist of 100 laps followed by another 35 laps. You'll have a blast.

<offtopic>As for the Supers, don't tell anyone, but if it was my decision, that class would be history at Spartan Speedway. It is no longer worth running them there.</offtopic>

-Maurice

Mike,

I hope you not inferring that was Jim's thinking when he made the decision to go about this, this way.

I will say this one more time, this decision was made not only with Mod teams involved in mind, but everyone, the Heeney's, the sponsors, and the FANS!!!

I am sorry that some of you feel slighted, or feel this is not going to work for your situation. We (Spartan) made a decision that we felt to be best for ALL parties involved. Some will agree, and some won't.

We can only do what we feel is best in these situations when they arise. No races will be missed, except for the Supers not running on the 13th now, by the drivers, OR the fans.

NO NO...This is going pretty fast here. I'm trying to offset some of the opinions that have been voiced in this thread. I trust Jim's decision-making ability to the max. But I can't sit and have a few guys come on here and tell us that it's no big deal and that we should just do it.

I don't feel slighted at all. Just trying to portray the intense pressure that our team is under.

Maurice- That is subjective. Financial stress detracts from the enjoyment of the sport, but over-all enjoyment is based primarily on results.

Mike

we all have to do what's good for each of us. tony pastorino did win the last chance race against some very good cars. it was his first checker ever. i may even get to drive my own car in the 35 lap feature if he lets me. he already said it wont have any tires left on it. well, that ought to be fun. an old driver in an over powered car and no tires. we had a good night and had lots of fun and got real wet. we'll be there for the 100 and what ever happens, happens

steve "pops" pastorino

It also gives me a lot more "don't ball the car up" anxiety for this Friday. I say run the twin 35s in the same day, and run the 100 by itself, this week. Or just drop a regular race from the schedule, that doesn't hurt anyone.

Why exactly is there so much focus on getting that extra 35 lap feature in there?

Like it was said before, I trust Jim to look out for Spartan Speedway... but at times I have to look out for my own best interest. Hopefully the end decision is somewhere in between. Not dissing the track or any decisions, that's just life that I have to look out for myself.

Well I don't normally post on here with my thoughts. But WHY NOT!!!!!

I totally agree with this decision by Jim and the staff. It is what is best for the majority involved. Running 135 laps of feature racing shouldn't be that much. I would only sugust cutting out heat for the Mods! I would also like to applaud Bill Lackey for not sending 24 mods on the track with the inevetible wall of rain comming!! I think it would have been REAL bad going into turn 3 as fast as it came down!!


Mike you have already endured your expense for the night. By Racing another entire program will help offset the expense of going back to the track. Paying entry fee and fuel all over. Jim can not just say all mod drivers don't have to pay on the rain date. Would that be fair for the crews and others that paid to only see the Mods!! Enough races were ran to not issue rain checks. And if he was to do something with the Mod Teams, EVERYBODY would have been part of a mod team!!!

It will be tough for the low funded teams, I understand. The car I am driving dosn't even have spare rims, so I have to break down the tires we got for this race and remount the old tires back up for this friday, so we can save them for the 13th! (Aaron we need some rims!!!!)

Everyone will suffer a little, as Maurice says Deal with it.

Also congrats Tony on you First Checker. You are doing a great job keeping you nose clean and tires on the car! Thats what it takes in the Mods!!

Jason- I understand how it should work out. But if it doesn't work out, then it was a gamble that we couldn't afford to take.

It will only work out if the 100 lap race goes incident free.

BTW- Is 135 laps of feature racing PLUS 50-60 laps under caution still gonna be ok? I've seen that before too...

I just don't see the problem with doing 100 laps on their own. following a 35 lapper with another 35 lapper is NOTHING compared to 100 laps followed by 35 laps.

I'm making this seem like a bigger deal than it might be, but it seems like I'm the only one who agrees with Larry, so I gotta stick up for how I feel since no-one else is.

Mike,

You are in reality taking that gamble everytime you show up to race. Can you afford to tow all the way to the track and have some one crash you in a heat race or in Hot Laps??? I don't think anyone can!!

I don't think it would be right to have to go back and pay to race for something we are already paid all the expense either!!

-But the field is locked, that is the only way to do it!!
-Insurance was paid on the pit passes issued for the night so no refund or rain checks.

If you want to race the Wild Child 100 you have to come back! If you don't want to race the extra 35 lapper DON"T!!! You are still in the 100!!!!!

You can stick up for what you believe, I will too. I think that from a promoters stand point this was the only way to make it fair for most people. I'm sure there are fans that wont be able to attend that date and they are the ones we as racers, who's opinion should consider the most. We are out there to provide entertainment for them!!! I think it is the fairest thing to do. And what a HUGE show it should be for anyone that can attend!!! Sorry for anyone that was there and cant make it back!!! I had 3 in the pits that are in that situation!!!

Yep- It's not that I think you're wrong....

But in a normal week of gambling at the track, we get a week to scrounge up what we need for the next feature.

I don't want to speculate what the promoter was thinking or doing. I've never had anyone at that track be anything but un-biased and professional to me. But on the other hand, racers love to take advantage of each others weaknesses... and too often it's the funded teams lobbying for things that other teams cannot afford to do.

And we ALL have a team... Ours just happens to have 2 drivers this season.

We're having a lot of fun. And we'll have a lot of fun no matter how this make-up goes down.

Mike

I think this was probably the best way to go..

The fact of running both features is this I think. There are cars that did not attempt the wild child 100 because they didn't want to run 100 laps. But they do want to run the 35. So there will be cars that are there only for the 35 lapper that night. Plus the mods look great because everyone there for the 100 lapper will attempt to make the 35 lapper. Thus making the mods the ultimate ruler of spartan speedway for the night. In fact we may even pick up a few cars. Which will only be better for us over all.. (Insert evil ruler laugh) I think that as long as everyone (everyone) remembers that there is 100 laps we'll be alright. Last year there were only a few cautions, they were short. I think it's great to get the mods out there for an extended race. 35 laps just isn't enough. Gives us a chance to show the crowd what we've really got. Let's get through this weekend. After all it is Dodge night sponsored by Beacon Sales of Charlotte Mi, proud sponsors of the #6, #6L, and the 17. (sorry, had to get plug out there)

Jason,

I'm in the same boat. I don't have spares for the new car. only the old car.

This guy here will help you all get through that 100 lapper so you can run the 35 lapper afterwards:



-Maurice

How is that any different from a normal night?

Who knows what's best... But we all had a little chance to think it through again. I'm ok with it, and of course I'll do my best for as many laps as I have to.

Jason, you should post more often. You have good insight on a lot of subjects, and it makes it more fun. How do you feel about Kyle Busch?

Maurice,
That says it all........


Rest in peace my friend....

A normal night Pony's rule the roost

I would bet Owosso would love to be in a position to have to make this call.

I say lets go RACING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gov