Mike Griffith: Time for racers to put up or shut up
| Wednesday, Jun 24 2009 10:03 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Jun 24 2009 11:13 PM
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The world of Street Stock, Super Street, Super Stock or whatever one wants to call that division is certainly a bit topsy-turvy these days which makes it perfect timing for the Bottom's Up 100.
The soap opera of that division plays out daily on the latermodelracer.com message boards with one or more threads devoted to some aspect of the division -- low car counts, perceived bad decisions or favoritism by track officials and possible rule changes.
All discussed in a public forum for the world to see.
What one sees is certainly a division which has some very passionate drivers who are very willing to let their opinions be known. What also is clear is the infighting -- made easy by such things as message boards -- could wind up uniting or fracturing a division that has enough online drama to keep this writer checking in every day or two just for the sheer entertainment value.
If all the racers can quit (their complaining) and unite at Bakersfield Speedway on Saturday night, the East vs. West Bottoms Up 100 should be rewarding for them, as well as the fans who seldom get to see these cars run more than 30 laps.
This a race specifically designed to award the racers with a purse of more than $10,000 with the wealth spread from top to bottom, thus the name, Bottom's Up.
Sure, the winner still reaps the biggest reward -- $1,200 -- but second is with a cool grand and the next four sports only drop $100 per position so sixth place nets that driver $600. Tenth pays $400 and starting the 22-car feature is worth at least $200.
That's called spreading the wealth and for some racers their biggest payday of the year will come on Saturday night.
But what really makes this race special is the extra money, put up by businesses, racers or fans. Bonuses such as $25 for the slowest qualifier; $25 for leading the 25th lap; $25 for the last place car on lap 50; $200 for the hard charger; $49 for the hard luck driver and $25 to the sixth-place finisher in each heat race. The bonuses reward those who are having a good night as well as those who are struggling.
It's a unique event, one which gives back to all of the racers involved.
Let's hope the racers have enough sense to come out in droves and support this race.
Quick shifts
Also in action Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway will be IMCA Modifieds and American Stocks. There will also be an aerial fireworks show. Racing starts at 6.
Bakersfield's David Mayhew finished second in NASCAR Camping World West competition Saturday at Infineon Raceway. David Bowles was the winner with points leader Eric Holmes third.
Spectator tickets for the Speed TV Pinks All Out show at Auto Club Famoso Raceway on Sept. 11-12 are now on sale online. There are a variety of pricing options, ranging from a $25 general admission entry to a $250 VIP ducat. Extra bleachers will be brought in for the event and there will be seating on both sides of the track. A link to purchase tickets can be found at famsosoraceway.com
