Expert Interview

1.) How long have you been around racing?

2.) What is the purpose of a sponsorship?

3.) What is a racing representative?

4.) What got you interested in sprint cars?

Gone Racing

I am going to make some fancy sign that says "Gone Racing," so if anyone comes looking for me and knocks on my front door, there my sign will be hanging.

American Muscle

The motors are nothing but raw horsepower, what you here is nothing but straight exhaust of an idling 410ci race motor.

Red River Valley Opener

The Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, ND had its season opener Wednesday the 18th.  Danny Schatz the current track owner, decided to change the weekly race nights to Wednesdays instead of Fridays because families tend to go out of town to their cabins on weekends, and don't have time for racing.

Saturday Light Lights

I am moving to Evansville after graduation, which is a short drive from Alexandria.  I will be attending every Saturday night race this summer at Viking Speedway in Alex, something I have not done there since I was six.  Although they are not sprint cars, the late models are still a fun event to wach.

Current Points Standings

1.) Joey Saldana : 1987
2.) Steve Kinser : 1936
3.) Donny Schatz : 1911

Knoxville Nationals

The Knoxville Nationals is the biggest sprint car race known to man.   It is located in Knoxville, IA and draws in drivers from all of the United States and Canada.  The race is to prove who is the best sprint car driver around.  The winner is rewarded 150,000 in prize money and a 6 foot tall trophy.  The drivers are more concerned about just receiving the fancy trophy, and the title of Knoxville Nationals winner.

Better Late Then Never

This video shows my racing backround, by viewing my basement and all of the items collected over the years.

Progress

I had trouble uploading my video twice.  Both times, two seperate ways said an error occured while uploading.

Suits

The drivers have flame retardent racing suits to keep them from getting burnt.

More Vid.

My video will be late, but i have now thought of something that i could accomplish.  I will explain my racing backround by the view of my basement, you will have to wait and see!

Video

I know a few sprint car racers personly, and i'd maybe do some what of an interview with them.  Have them give a breif backround of there racing history.

Poll

Im trying to figure out what you would choose to race, if you had the chance.

Check out my poll!

Crashes

Sprint cars are very safe, they have a few features that protect the driver during a crash.  The 5 point racing harness (seat belt) is by far the safest thing, a seat formed to the drivers body, and a Hans Device which keeps your neck to limited movement.  The top wing on a sprint car also acts as a giant pillow in a flip, it absorbs allot of the impact.

Race Tracks

The tracks vary in size and the over all, oval shape.  They range from 1/4 mile bullrings up to the 1/2 mile monsters.  The large tracks are great for the wide open throttle, and the smaller tracks are known for the wheel to wheel banging action.

Haulers

The trailers they use are not just for transporting cars, there also a shop on wheels.  They have everything you need to work on a race car.  There is usually two levels to a hauler, below is all of the main tools and parts, then the upper level will have 2-3 extra cars in case one is to get in a wreck. Each car is in a different stage of readiness.  They both won’t have top wings and maybe not even an engine, but in the lower level they have spare engines ready to crank out them ponies.

Anatomy of a Sprint Car

Sprint cars are pretty basic.  The power plant of most sprint cars is a 410 cubic inch engine pushing out 800 horsepower.  The car weighs just around 1,200 pounds, so to keep that rocket ship on the ground the car needs special wings, which also gives sprint cars there unique look.  There is a 5x5 foot top wing that acts as extra down force and traction to the rear wheels.  There is also a 2x3 foot front nose wing that puts extra force to the front wheels so it doesn't end up doing a wheel stand.  The two rear tires are not the same size.  The right rear is noticeably bigger than the left, and the purpose of that is to help the car roll through the dirt turns at speeds topping 160 mph.

The King of The Outlaws

It seems to me that Donny Schatz, the 4 time WoO chapion, and 4th consecutive Knoxville Nationals winner has been rising to the top, and will soon take over Steve Kinser's well known nickname, "The King of The Outlaws."  Kinser's wins have been diminishing during the past few years.  It appears that Kinser is fading away and just a name from the past.

Welcome

Welcome to my Spring Car Chatter blog.  This page will tell you all you need to know about sprint cars and the lastest news.