World of Outlaws, outlawing support classes, the lost art of promoting, the Prelude, and more randomness.

"The World of Outlaw Sprints invade Eagle Raceway for possibly their last appearance."

This strategically worded phrase from Eagle's website has caused quite a stir among the internet regulars.

Perhaps it was simply careless wording that wasn't meant to create any type of discussion.

Perhaps it was designed to create a sense of urgency and get people to the races on Saturday.

Perhaps it means this is the only time the World of Outlaws will be in the Cornhusker state in 2007.

Or maybe, perhaps it means that this is the last time under Roger's watch that the Greatest Show on Dirt will run the banks of Eagle Raceway.

Of course I've read more than one person claim that Roger told them how much money he lost during last year's WoO event and that if it didn't make money this year he was done with them. There might be an element of truth to that, but if everything I've read on the internet were true...

Not that I've ever posted anything that wasn't true on THIS website.

In addition to the Outlaws on Saturday, we'll be treated to mods and hobby stocks. While it's well known I'm not the biggest mod fan, they've been putting on some good races this year. I think it's ok to have one support class with the Outlaws (although I'd pay more just to watch the sprinters only) why do we need to have the hobby stocks as well?

I am not suggesting that hobby stocks shouldn't ever be allowed to run-although that's a thought-just don't run them Saturday night. I think it's a safe bet that most of the $30 per ticket buying crowd isn't forking over the cash to see anything but the sprints.

I feel that adding another support class is just an easy way to pad the back gate. I wouldn't mind this if I felt it didn't decrease the quality of the show. This trend upsets me. I see it at several of the tracks in this area. Rather than promoting the event and giving the crowd a great show, another class is added to make up the revenue.

Whatever happened to bringing a group in and making a big deal of it? Whatever happened to the concept that tracks are in show business? Don't put on a race and expect people to show, put on a race and SELL IT, SELL IT, SELL IT!

While the idea of adding another class seems logical, I think it's a short term fix. What will happen if the problem of lack of promoting isn't addressed? We'll have four classes of cars running in front of empty grandstands, and that's not good for anyone.

If only the powers that be would listen to what I have to say. I could solve all of the racing world's problems and be home in time for dinner. Perhaps someday I'll be in a position to put some money where my mouth is.

-I wonder if Jack Dover has found a ride for Friday's faux Back Row Challenge? If I only had a car. And a motor. And a crew. And money.

-Adding late models to what used to be a sprint only show doesn't really get me pumped up. I'll be there, but I don't think a 50 lapper for LMs will keep me from leaving after the sprints are done.

-Speaking of the late models, I did watch the Prelude to the Dream event at Tony's hangout, Eldora Speedway. The feature had a lot of great racing between Napcar regulars Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, and Kurt Busch. I think that race proves that drivers at a high level like that can drive anything and drive it well. Hell give Juan Pablo Montoya a few more laps and he'd be right at home. Next year Tony, run 'em in sprints.

-Back to the Outlaws. In the mix of all this local controversy, it's easy to forget that the Outlaws have had very high car counts this year. They've also put on some very good shows. At least that split in 2006 was good for creating a stronger, more unified series in 2007.

-When was the last time we could go to an Outlaw show and pick 6 or 7 cars capable of winning on any given night? And when was the last time that you've seen the King look more mortal?

-For my money I would go with Donny Schatz on Saturday and a rain free race weekend. Although I still can't completely count out that green 11.

Remember that I speculate, complain, suggest, and type this BS because I care.

When it's all said and done I've have two nights of mostly sprints twenty minutes from my bed. It's good to be home.