AVERAGE SPEEDS DOWN A BIT SINCE GOING TO 1,000 FEET

It was obvious at Norwalk that the speeds were way down so Jim Hawkins compiled a spreadsheet to get a reading on just what the average ELIMINATION speeds have been at the last three events. He also threw in the median of the speeds, which gives you the "middle" (or average of the two middle in the case of an even number of data) speed of the total number of mile per hour stats. Hawkins says the median stat sometimes gives you a better idea of the true average by throwing out a few high and low stats.

Has the new track length slowed the cars down? So far about 25 mph. [7/22/2008]

ADRL REVISES RACEDAY SCHEDULE

The Flowmaster American Drag Racing League presented by the National Guard will modify its raceday schedule beginning July 25-26 at Maryland International Raceway. The addition to ADRL’s all-pro show of the Sonny’s Extreme Pro Stock Challenge presented by Purvis Ford has required a slight revision of the qualifying and elimination rounds schedule.
The biggest change comes in conducting two qualifying sessions on Friday evening with a third and final qualifying opportunity on Saturday before eliminations begin. That first Friday qualifying session also has been moved forward to 6 p.m. with the second scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. Saturday’s action will begin with qualifying at noon, as it always has, but the opening round of eliminations moves ahead one hour to 3 p.m.
The run order for all qualifying and elimination rounds at MIR will be Extreme Pro Stock, Pro Extreme Motorcycle, Extreme 10.5, Pro Nitrous and Pro Extreme. [7/22/2008]

IHRA TRACKS ARE IN THE NEWS:

OUT: KNOLL GAS MOTORSPORTS PARK / IN: U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK

You can add another to the ever-growing list of racers and racing entities severing their Knoll Gas (Torco) sponsorships. The Martin, Michigan, track most recently known as Knoll Gas Motorsports Park is once again the old, familiar U.S. 131 Motorsports Park.

The NHRA earlier dropped the Torco name from their October Virginia event. The Agent has to wonder how long IHRA will stick with their biggest (former?) sponsor. And, the Agent hears, Evan Knoll has been MIA for some time, although lots of people are searching. [7/22/2008]

MANSFIELD IS A NO-GO

The Agent reads in the Mansfield (OH) News Journal that Michael Dzurilla, owner of Mansfield Motorsports Park, who was at one time reported as getting help from Torco Racing Fuels, has said that he will not build the long promised, IHRA-sanctioned dragstrip at his facility. One of the reasons, Dzurilla told sports editor Rob McCurdy, was the high lodging rates put in place during race weekends by area hotels.

The IHRA has been seeking a track to replace Norwalk Raceway Park since that track moved to an NHRA sanction. Mansfield was touted as being the location for that track at one time. Is there a Plan B? [7/22/2008]

LOWE’S & HOTELIERS DROP PRICES (NOT A JOKE!)

And speaking of the price of lodging, Lowe's Motor Speedway has developed a multi-faceted program to lower the cost of attending a
NASCAR race despite rising fuel costs during these difficult economic conditions.
    
Working with area hotel operators, its souvenir and concession vendors and corporate sponsors, Lowe's Motor Speedway has reduced the overall cost for fans to attend the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday night, Oct. 11.
    
"Consumers are constantly faced with very difficult economic decisions and we've worked hard to make attending our race a more affordable entertainment opportunity. It should be about fun, not finances," said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"We've been able to make this a group effort. Not only have we put together a ticket package that will save race fans 30 percent, they will also enjoy reduced prices on hotel rooms, concession items and souvenirs."
    
In an unprecedented move for a NASCAR race market, 35 hotels located within approximately 30 miles of Lowe's Motor Speedway have agreed to reduce their nightly race week room rates by 15 percent and waive their minimum stay requirements.

The Agent hears there will soon be another announcement from Lowe’s about the drag race in September. We’re told that the price of a four-day pit pass will be $99 for adults and $20 for kids, and hotel rooms will be $99 per night. If true, we hope it may start a trend to make attending events more affordable. [7/22/2008]