Went over to the “Clay by da Bay” for the Reutimann Memorial last night.
No rain. Heartfelt Reutimann stories that were great to hear, both from the Reutimann’s & the other competitors.
Saw the early 6 cylinder Sportsman car, bought Reutimann Racing T-Shirts.
David & Buzzie were competitive, but not dominant. David was taken out in an early accident, and Buzzie looked good and finished near the front after a late race “incident”.
Now the questions: I enjoy the dirt, but am primarily an asphalt guy. It seems like that both the late models and the modifieds put on a better show (and, imo, looked cooler) back when they did not look like a Big-A marshmallow and the inside rear wheel pulled forward. I realize they are no doubt faster this way, but…
>Do you agree, or is it just me regarding “the show”?
>If you agree, do you feel that the cars should be legislated back to the old days with spring rates & rear suspension links and so forth?
I honestly felt the old timer cars were the best race of the night. But then again I think my opinion is skewed because the late model race only had 11 cars and the competition wasn’t that great. And then the modified race was just embarrassing. Ron Hornadays grandson slowed down the show by spinning 20 times, and the guy in the 43j should have been black flagged for as many times as he disregarded the move over flag and was just generally in the way. Between the 9, 43j and 15 there were 12 or so cautions just because of them spinning. And all of them were unnecessary. That race shouldn’t have taken an hour and a half to run.
JC–am in agreement. Was hoping the early 00 car would race.
Am all for the kid getting experience, and also for anyone that went to all the trouble that it takes to get a car to the track being able to race, but that deal was kind of extreme.
Have seen “3 strikes and you’re out” at other tracks, am not sure if that is the answer or three is the number, but I do know that in the end when one car was stuck in a dirt bank (again) and the final time the tractor hoisted him up he just kept him up and toted the car into the infield, a cheer went up from the stands…
ps–note that the early “florida modifieds” handled reasonably (and predictably) well with fixed wheelbases, and put on a great show with mis-matched cars.
The biggest disappointment was David Reutimann and Kyle Bronson both taken out on lap 3, Kyle made a few attempts to continue, but never was able to get back up in the mix. The yellow flags were usually for a back marker who was usually in the way. The #43 was “clueless” while ignoring the ’ Move Over and Black flags’, I never try to belittle any driver trying to race, but this driver isn’t aware of where he is in relation to the guys actually racing on the track. Overall it was a very entertaining race with Austin Sanders winning the race.
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