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Driver Rico Abreu, of St. Helena, California, was evaluated at the Premier Health Infield Care Center and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation following a two-car incident during hot laps for the USAC National Midget Series portion of the tonight’s
 
It looks like the initial report from USAC was that he was "okay" after the crash, so hoping this is more precautionary and that he can recover quickly.

 
Watching 4 Crowns at Eldora makes you realize what NASCAR has lost, the absolute danger. I don’t want to see people die obviously but the violence of the crashes is what keeps you on the edge of your seat along with fantastic racing.

It’s just a weird feeling to be at a race and have that fear but seeing those crashes in person is shocking
 
Stewart's track prep can be hit and miss. Ballou is a bad ass racer himself. I'll let them work it out without coming down on one side or another. The highlights looked like fun racing from a fan perspective, because non wing sprints and midgets at Eldora are usually great no matter what.
 
Mispeedway15 said:
Watching 4 Crowns at Eldora makes you realize what NASCAR has lost, the absolute danger. I don’t want to see people die obviously but the violence of the crashes is what keeps you on the edge of your seat along with fantastic racing.

It’s just a weird feeling to be at a race and have that fear but seeing those crashes in person is shocking
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When people look at NASCAR it looks like the average Joe can do it. When people look at a Sprint Car race they know they wouldn't be able to do it, let alone barrel roll into a catch fence, get out and in less than an hour be in the backup car doing it again. People take someone saying that NASCAR is missing the danger element are wanting to see crashes. Not even the slightest bit true. I don't want a wreck to happen. I want to lean forward and know that I am spending my money on something that is unique and looks like something that I could not do. I want big personalities, I want a guy cussing in victory lane because the win he just got means so much to him that he cannot check his emotions. I want Scelzi's reaction at Knoxville, the Jason Johnson reaction at Knoxville, I want the local modified driver that we watch weekly to lose his mind when he travels to Iowa for the Super Nationals and makes the show for the first time. Racing is about adrenaline, passion, inherent danger and heart break. Always has and always will be. Sprint Car racing is hitting on that in every phase right now.
 
clarkfn2284 said:
When people look at NASCAR it looks like the average Joe can do it. When people look at a Sprint Car race they know they wouldn't be able to do it, let alone barrel roll into a catch fence, get out and in less than an hour be in the backup car doing it again. People take someone saying that NASCAR is missing the danger element are wanting to see crashes. Not even the slightest bit true. I don't want a wreck to happen. I want to lean forward and know that I am spending my money on something that is unique and looks like something that I could not do. I want big personalities, I want a guy cussing in victory lane because the win he just got means so much to him that he cannot check his emotions. I want Scelzi's reaction at Knoxville, the Jason Johnson reaction at Knoxville, I want the local modified driver that we watch weekly to lose his mind when he travels to Iowa for the Super Nationals and makes the show for the first time. Racing is about adrenaline, passion, inherent danger and heart break. Always has and always will be. Sprint Car racing is hitting on that in every phase right now.
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This. This right here. I believe I'm gonna steal this. It's something I've tried to say forever, but never this clearly.
 
VaDirt said:
This. This right here. I believe I'm gonna steal this. It's something I've tried to say forever, but never this clearly.
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There is something so raw about dirt racing. It's not so elite that guys get offended by the slightest amount of contact. I think that it is the fact that the series are still very much dictated by the driver and there is an outlaw mentality from those who compete in it. They will get into any car and attempt to wheel it around the tack and when the fence reaches out and grabs them, they get out and say "that was fun". Look at the above tweet from Rico. It says it all. He is apologizing to his fans for getting ambo'd out two years in a row. I mean come on dude, you don't need to apologize, lol. It's just a different style and if you love raw racing and emotion, it fits the bill.
 
If you wad up a NASCAR car you are talking about the 250,000 dollar neighborhood. A sprint car is much cheaper to replace, so the drivers are not as worried about crashing one. If a driver crashed a stock car, at the same rate that sprint cars are crashed, they wouldn't be driving much longer. Add to that, sprint cars are much more controllable, (acceleration, and braking) and you can see why stock car drivers are much more conservative in their driving styles. I'm a big sprint car fan, dirt, or asphalt, doesn't matter. They are much more responsive cars to drive, so races are more closely contested. It's about as close to full contact racing as you will get. We are lucky that we don't lose drivers more often than we do.
 
Robert Ballou has been suspended for the remainder of 2018.
http://usacracing.com/component/k2/item/7611-ballou-suspended-for-remainder-of-2018-usac-season

On September 24th, the United States Auto Club Competition Committee held a comprehensive review regarding numerous actions conducted by Robert Ballou, a USAC National Sprint Car competitor. These actions follow several discussions between USAC and Ballou during the 2016 and 2017 USAC racing season, in which similar actions were repeated. All of Ballou's actions reviewed were deemed detrimental to the sport of auto racing.

On September 25th, a meeting was held with Mr. Ballou, along with key industry track partners, to discuss the repeated concerns.

The findings of the Competition Committee and action taken is as follows under USAC Rule 10.32:

Continued violations of USAC Competition Rules and Procedures have imposed harm and risk to the viability of the USAC National Sprint Car Series. As such, the United States Auto Club has imposed the following fines and penalties for the 2018-2019 seasons for Robert Ballou:

1. Prohibited from all USAC competition for the remainder of calendar year 2018.

2. Forfeiture of USAC annual points funds presented by AMSOIL for recognition of Championship points.

3. Competition allowed in USAC Racing in 2019 under probation with zero tolerance for similar actions.

These fines and penalties are effective immediately.
 
VaDirt said:
Robert Ballou has been suspended for the remainder of 2018.
http://usacracing.com/component/k2/item/7611-ballou-suspended-for-remainder-of-2018-usac-season

On September 24th, the United States Auto Club Competition Committee held a comprehensive review regarding numerous actions conducted by Robert Ballou, a USAC National Sprint Car competitor. These actions follow several discussions between USAC and Ballou during the 2016 and 2017 USAC racing season, in which similar actions were repeated. All of Ballou's actions reviewed were deemed detrimental to the sport of auto racing.

On September 25th, a meeting was held with Mr. Ballou, along with key industry track partners, to discuss the repeated concerns.

The findings of the Competition Committee and action taken is as follows under USAC Rule 10.32:

Continued violations of USAC Competition Rules and Procedures have imposed harm and risk to the viability of the USAC National Sprint Car Series. As such, the United States Auto Club has imposed the following fines and penalties for the 2018-2019 seasons for Robert Ballou:

1. Prohibited from all USAC competition for the remainder of calendar year 2018.

2. Forfeiture of USAC annual points funds presented by AMSOIL for recognition of Championship points.

3. Competition allowed in USAC Racing in 2019 under probation with zero tolerance for similar actions.

These fines and penalties are effective immediately.
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What did he do?
 
gnomesayin said:
Stewart's track prep can be hit and miss. Ballou is a bad ass racer himself. I'll let them work it out without coming down on one side or another. The highlights looked like fun racing from a fan perspective, because non wing sprints and midgets at Eldora are usually great no matter what.
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so bad ass he is out of the series.
 
StandOnIt said:
so bad ass he is out of the series.
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Yes, USAC has suspended him for the remainder of the season for "actions detrimental", i.e. publicly complaining. My comment was in reference to him being a bad ass driver. I've watched him run the rim at tracks and leave the field in the dust. They call him Madman for a reason. Talented driver when he's on. I stand by what I said.

The last person in the world I feel sorry for regarding drivers having big mouths and complaining is Tony Stewart. I would think he could take it. I do love what he does for the sport though. USAC can do what they want, it's their series.
 
gnomesayin said:
Yes, USAC has suspended him for the remainder of the season for "actions detrimental", i.e. publicly complaining. My comment was in reference to him being a bad ass driver. I've watched him run the rim at tracks and leave the field in the dust. They call him Madman for a reason. Talented driver when he's on. I stand by what I said.

The last person in the world I feel sorry for regarding drivers having big mouths and complaining is Tony Stewart. I would think he could take it. I do love what he does for the sport though. USAC can do what they want, it's their series.
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Doesn't look like he will be doing any track prepping at Eldora any time soon. :p:D
 
That's what happens when you bite the hand that feeds you. There are other ways to voice his displeasure with the track prep. IMO.
 
StandOnIt said:
Doesn't look like he will be doing any track prepping at Eldora any time soon. :p:D
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I guess not, though they aren't racing at Eldora again this year anyway. Looks like Stewart publicly challenged him to do so next year, he accepted, and we'll see.
 
Maybe he will go to the World of Outlaws and learn not to be a jackass if they will have him ;)
 
From what I know about Ballou, he's a guy who still works a full-time job and made it 'big' in the USAC world the hard way. As blue collar a racer as you'll find these days. Was as dominant in 2015 in a non-wing car as anyone has been. He's lucky he didn't die in a bad accident the next year that nearly paralyzed him. He's outspoken about safety stuff, and let his temper get the best of him after Eldora and will pay the price. Probably learned his lesson and will be back with USAC next year, or racing around the Indiana area where that stuff is based.

I always look forward to the year-end west coast USAC races in Arizona and at Perris Auto Speedway in California that feature the USAC / CRA guys too. I wish they could fit a NW swing into the schedule earlier in the season like the Outlaws do, but I understand that's a lot to ask of the teams financially.
 
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ROBERT BALLOU APOLOGY
“I realize that what I said Saturday evening struck a nerve, however that was not my intention whatsoever. I would never want to shed negative light on Eldora Speedway.”

“We are all racing with sad hearts as another legend in our sport passed away a few days prior. Seeing the midget frame after the wreck was eye opening. I just thought if there were a little something to slow your momentum down before hitting the wall, it may be avoided.”

“Never did I say the racing was bad. It was actually good and the Silver Crown race was the best I’d ever seen.”

“Eldora Speedway has spent countless dollars making improvements to the facility and safety. We truly appreciate that.”

“I am sincerely sorry for my message and the way it was taken I love this sport and give my everything to help keep it thriving to what it is today. I just want it to continue to grow and for it to be as safe as possible,” the apology concluded.
 
The irony of Tony Stewart having such a connipition over an opinionated driver running his mouth in public. Eventually he's going to look like the bad guy here. Petty, vindictive, thin-skinned.
 
Johali said:
Still bitter about him snubbing you in NZ huh. :)
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Actually he snubbed all his fans. At the last meet in NZ he was lent a car by another competitor as Stewart had wrecked his at another track but during qualifying stated that it was a piece of **** and abruptly left the track. The promoter said he was going to withhold payment to Stewart. I hope that was the case.
 
Clutch said:
Actually he snubbed all his fans. At the last meet in NZ he was lent a car by another competitor as Stewart had wrecked his at another track but during qualifying stated that it was a piece of sh!t and abruptly left the track. The promoter said he was going to withhold payment to Stewart. I hope that was the case.
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I remember all of that. I was just yanking ya chain. :booya:
 
Johali said:
I remember all of that. I was just yanking ya chain. :booya:
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It's the first of 3 days off for me. Think I'll get the boat ready.
dance.gif
 
Second night, some good tight battles, Tyler Courtney comes out on top. The Oval Nationals at Perris, CA are next weekend to wrap up the season.

 
Oval Nationals at Perris night one:



Night two:



Final night is tonight. There was a bit of an ugly pass for the win last night by Justin Grant over Tyler Courtney, but it looked unintentional to me on a deteorating track. Grant has been really fast lately. The USAC national sprint championship race comes down to tonight's race, with Courtney entering with a 9-point lead over Kevin Thomas, Jr.
 
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