Dear Wayne,
What a year we’ve had! The battles, the triumphs and the moments of defeat; it’s been a good season so far. Especially last week. Did you see that race? I guess you did.
Anyway I should tell you, I’m a big fan of the truck series. In fact it may even be my favorite series (in the top-three at least). It’s certainly my favorite series to be around. You know better than anyone how different the series is from its counterparts (in a good way).
So we all know the truck series is your deal and I know you don’t know who I am (let’s look past that), but I’ve got a couple of questions and a couple of favors to ask.
I saw the schedule this week, and I’ve got to ask: Pocono? Who thought that was a good idea? It’s not exciting to watch the Cup cars there, it’s certainly not to watch the ARCA cars there, so why bring the Trucks? Richmond, Darlington, either of those would have been better options. Or better yet add a road course (for instance, Infineon, Portland Raceway, Heartland Park; the series has been to all of those places before) or another small short track. Heck I’d rather see two races at Iowa than Pocono. Maybe something to consider for the future.
About last week. What was the deal with that penalty? I know Crafton was being aggressive and took out Bodine before he got to Hornaday, but with all due respect we’ve both seen Hornaday pull the same thing. And he’s never been black flagged. If you don’t believe me check out this column by Dave Rodman over at NASCAR.com, he has examples. Whatever the case, I guess you did what you had to do. I hope you’re ready for the madness (that would have happened without the penalty though I guess).
On to my favors.
Can you please get rid of the new pit road rule. I know it was done with the best of intentions, but you and I both know it’s not saving anybody money. No one is working double duty on the pit crews. There are still seven guys doing seven different jobs. It’s now twice as dangerous though. Think about it, we have a bunch of teams running different strategies, not just once, but twice down pit road. That’s another chance for guys to get run over, or something to go wrong.
Not to mention, the double pit stops have ruined a vital part of the race. I like watching pit stops, as do a lot of other people. I don’t like watching the pit stops in the truck series anymore.
Can you also please bring in the double-file restarts. I think it’s hard to argue they haven’t worked in the other series. Why wouldn’t they work with the trucks? I don’t know about you but I actually think it would make the series more exciting.
And please let’s keep the “cost cutting measures” that aren’t really saving anybody money to a minimum.
In advance, thanks for my taking my advice into consideration. You have a great series, there are just some things that really need to be adjusted.
Have a great remaining season and good luck with Hornaday, Crafton and Bodine.
Sincerely,
Journo
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on Sep 18th, 2009 at 12:37 am
You wrote every thing that I think!! I love the trucks! They are usually the most exciting! One exception, much to my disapointment was at Iowa Speedway. I live in Iowa & was so excited to see my 1st truck race there. I had a BLAST all day & got tomeet & talk with several of the drivers. Bodine was a ‘hoot’ & David Star was very accomadating! The race itself was one of the MOST boring I had ever seen. Have to see how thing go next year. I know you were kidding, but I would NOT agree with 2 races in Iowa. LOL..Thanks for the interesting article. I thuroughly enjoyed it!! (i am ‘mykennycat’ on Twitter)
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 7:52 am
The only good thing about the trucks being at Pocono is that they won’t be at Fontana…
I’d like to see the trucks run at Irwindale. Or even better, how about giving Rockingham a date?
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 8:02 am
I have long thought my opinions were perfect and everyone else was wrong. It seems I was mistaken. Well said Journo. Also, to Ruthann Koval, what is wrong with 2 races at Iowa? It’s a great track that provides great racing. I’m not just saying that because I am a native Iowan, it’s really true, because I said it is.
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 8:35 am
And finally… ADD A DIRT TRACK!
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
to Bobby fan #7..So glad to see im not only 1 who agrees completely with Journo. I aree that IOWA SPEEDWAY IS A REALLY GREAT TRACK!!!I’ from DesMoines & have been to several other MORE EXCITING RACES!! Ilove that track! But, is was a boring truck race. Like I said, hope it is a lot better next year!!!
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
As I recall there is a sports car series that only allows refueling with all 4 wheels on the ground. I’ve been wondering why that couldn’t be done for the Trucks?
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
In the interest of safety, I always thought the rule could still be 5 guys over the wall, but that tires or a fuel can/catch can combo could not both be over the wall at the same time. The tires would have to be back over the wall, then the fuel and catch can could be handed over.
You only have one stop (safer than two), and it still gives low-budget teams a chance to go with 5 guys and be competitive. It creates a new style pit-stop in the 25-30 second range that would spread out the trucks on pit road. This is what was desired all along was a safer pit road. (And with minimal changes to the current rules.)
on Sep 18th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
to Richard in N.C. They ARE doing that & I don’t like It!! They put in fuel on a separate pit stop with all wheels on the ground.(Were you just joking?) I thin it is a bad idea for safety reasons for the crew!!!!!Double stops, double trouble!!!
on Sep 19th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Ruthann- sorry I wasn’t clear. What I was trying to say/ask was whether it would work to require that gas could only be added with all 4 wheels on the ground, but changing tires and refueling could be done in the same pit stop using the 5 men over the wall limit.
on Sep 19th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
ruthann- I believe Richard in N.C. is not suggesting a separate refueling pitstop, as is done now in trucks…just a longer stop in which tire change and fuel are not performed simultaneously but on the same stop. His recollection is true and makes sense and likely not joking.
IMHO the truck series should often employ a new ways to make the racing great before implementing into Cup and NW. First thing I would do is have dual race weekends. Shorten the races and run two. That is twice as many starts and finishes.
on Sep 19th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Bravo Journo.