Crash336
04-21-2008, 05:14 PM
With a last minute change of plans, I was good to go Saturday night. I took the best ticket available (Section 110 –Row 41 – Nose bleed) I figured I would be close to the action based on the World Finals all the action was in turn 2. When I climbed from the bottom to the top I thought to myself whew not going to due that much till I discovered the back stair and even an elevator I thought was only for the suites. This was my 3rd Colossal and I’m still getting the lay of the land.
Last year was the first year for my then 10 year old daughter, and I give Lowes most of the credit for her having a great time. Chicken dace, Air Guitar, Tee shirt cannon, fire works, the wave…. All the stuff that I could do with out when I didn’t have the kid made a difference. This year the kids got wet seats and lots of track packing. It’s a small complaint but I think there was plenty of time during the track work to have some fun. At least get on the mic and BS, kinda left the crowd soaking while the two fronts passed.
On the plus side they did a great job on the track once the rain left, the track was real good.
Usually I would be able to give a concession review ( I love to eat ) however not many make the mistake of packing food and drink once you have paid 3:00 for bottled water.
With the two hour delay, hope 1st timers had enough gas money to get back home.
Hats off to the drivers at the autograph sessions, the line of fans was endless. The drivers seemed to be making the best of it; my daughter got every signature with a lot of ribbing going back and forth – very enjoyable.
1st Semi, I’ve been following dirt LM for a lot of years nationally but it’s always the local driver that grabs my attention. Steve Lucas started slow, Blankenship shot buy him like he was having problems 2 lap later Steve came back only to have problem that put him back mid pack. Rambo came on after getting beat up in the first part of the race to grab the final transfer. From the beating Dennis took in this 25 lapper he had little left for the main show. Babb and Blankenship had an easy go from the front, the rest of the field endured a bumper car demo, not sure what happen to Ricky Elliot, his car was junk after about half way. Robinson looked fast holding the leaders off from lapping him, from the start he was caught up in the mid pack melee and never got close.
2nd Semi, Rick Eckard had an easy go, car didn’t even get dirty. The rest of the field had to work for it. For me watching Jeff Smith dice with the heavy horsepower Vic Coffee for the last transfer was awesome. The record had Vic ahead at the end, but when Buckingham dropped out Jeff just had to ride his way into the show.
Finals, I really enjoyed the Semi, Ricky week got a descent draw and everyone saw Friday with his duel with Owens he can still race with anyone. However with all the banging/spinning Ricky like all local driver ended up on the short end of the stick. I think he finished highest of the drivers who went to the pits and returned. (Not sure). I walked away feeling a little let down, I think I would have rather seen more semi action with 24 cars and some racing room instead of the 3 lap per caution stop/start feast. IMO Francis won when he drew the poll pill. He had a good car, but I think there were quite a few better cars that got shafted with the 24 car pill draw. The crews officiating this race (Lowes – WOO) get a lot of my blame as well. At the World Finals with the nation watching they made it clear in the pits, no stopping to draw a yellow. Apparently they did not have discussion before this race. To make matters worst they let it go in the Semi’s and the first part of the race till it got silly and the fans were getting upset. Near half way they attempted to tighten up but they way past credibility at that point. I will say between the cautions watching the racing mid-pack was insane. It was like a Saturday night total inversion heat race with the fastest car coming from the back. Eckard had the car to beat most for the race. I think a lot of the stars Pearson and Moyer were hanging back but never got to show us due to heavy mid pack action. As my luck would have it sitting in turn one most race action happened in 4. I did see the Chubzilla air show, WOW, if I was Chub I would never race anything but a Rocket…nuff said, never thought he was going to walk away like he did.
In the end, 69 cars … I didn’t notice any favorites missing, as much as I hate the inversion I don’t think that what kept anyone away. With only running national races there is no local advantage like you would get at Eldora or Knoxville…. I think it’s clear unless you can run with the very best stay home.
Last year was the first year for my then 10 year old daughter, and I give Lowes most of the credit for her having a great time. Chicken dace, Air Guitar, Tee shirt cannon, fire works, the wave…. All the stuff that I could do with out when I didn’t have the kid made a difference. This year the kids got wet seats and lots of track packing. It’s a small complaint but I think there was plenty of time during the track work to have some fun. At least get on the mic and BS, kinda left the crowd soaking while the two fronts passed.
On the plus side they did a great job on the track once the rain left, the track was real good.
Usually I would be able to give a concession review ( I love to eat ) however not many make the mistake of packing food and drink once you have paid 3:00 for bottled water.
With the two hour delay, hope 1st timers had enough gas money to get back home.
Hats off to the drivers at the autograph sessions, the line of fans was endless. The drivers seemed to be making the best of it; my daughter got every signature with a lot of ribbing going back and forth – very enjoyable.
1st Semi, I’ve been following dirt LM for a lot of years nationally but it’s always the local driver that grabs my attention. Steve Lucas started slow, Blankenship shot buy him like he was having problems 2 lap later Steve came back only to have problem that put him back mid pack. Rambo came on after getting beat up in the first part of the race to grab the final transfer. From the beating Dennis took in this 25 lapper he had little left for the main show. Babb and Blankenship had an easy go from the front, the rest of the field endured a bumper car demo, not sure what happen to Ricky Elliot, his car was junk after about half way. Robinson looked fast holding the leaders off from lapping him, from the start he was caught up in the mid pack melee and never got close.
2nd Semi, Rick Eckard had an easy go, car didn’t even get dirty. The rest of the field had to work for it. For me watching Jeff Smith dice with the heavy horsepower Vic Coffee for the last transfer was awesome. The record had Vic ahead at the end, but when Buckingham dropped out Jeff just had to ride his way into the show.
Finals, I really enjoyed the Semi, Ricky week got a descent draw and everyone saw Friday with his duel with Owens he can still race with anyone. However with all the banging/spinning Ricky like all local driver ended up on the short end of the stick. I think he finished highest of the drivers who went to the pits and returned. (Not sure). I walked away feeling a little let down, I think I would have rather seen more semi action with 24 cars and some racing room instead of the 3 lap per caution stop/start feast. IMO Francis won when he drew the poll pill. He had a good car, but I think there were quite a few better cars that got shafted with the 24 car pill draw. The crews officiating this race (Lowes – WOO) get a lot of my blame as well. At the World Finals with the nation watching they made it clear in the pits, no stopping to draw a yellow. Apparently they did not have discussion before this race. To make matters worst they let it go in the Semi’s and the first part of the race till it got silly and the fans were getting upset. Near half way they attempted to tighten up but they way past credibility at that point. I will say between the cautions watching the racing mid-pack was insane. It was like a Saturday night total inversion heat race with the fastest car coming from the back. Eckard had the car to beat most for the race. I think a lot of the stars Pearson and Moyer were hanging back but never got to show us due to heavy mid pack action. As my luck would have it sitting in turn one most race action happened in 4. I did see the Chubzilla air show, WOW, if I was Chub I would never race anything but a Rocket…nuff said, never thought he was going to walk away like he did.
In the end, 69 cars … I didn’t notice any favorites missing, as much as I hate the inversion I don’t think that what kept anyone away. With only running national races there is no local advantage like you would get at Eldora or Knoxville…. I think it’s clear unless you can run with the very best stay home.