Not every race can be a barn burner.      
And Saturday night’s Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway was not. It was one of the worst races we’ve ever seen. With 16 yellow flags and one red, the race saw Steve Francis lead all 100 laps in a race that took nearly 90 minutes to complete.
While the 2007 Colossal was spectacular, this year’s third edition was punctuated by late afternoon rain showers that left the track sloppy and left competitors scrambling for what would be the proper tire choice and car set-up come feature time.
Both of those factors clearly played into the chaos that was the Circle K Colossal 100. Interestingly, the guests of honor in the Circle K suite were all gone long before the checkered flag waved shortly before midnight. Along with them went many from the largest grandstand crowd in the three-year history of the race.
Another factor was a number of bone-headed drivers who with minor problems, including flat tires insisted upon stopping on the track and bringing yellow flags.
Here’s an idea — the race paid $50,000 to win, subtract $1,000 from the pay off for every yellow flag, and add $1,000 for every pass for the lead.
During the B mains, we stood nearby as teammates Tim McCreadie and eventual winner Francis discussed car set-up and tire choice with their crews. The wet track was a major factor in the choices they made. One crew member argued the track would not reach its fastest point until midway through the feature, and McCreadie believed a cushion would be available throughout the feature.
The drivers discussed the possibility of stopping for tires midway through the race depending on how quickly the track came in and other factors, but the numerous caution flags limited the green-flag racing and kept the track from ever taking rubber.
The carnage began on the first lap when Eddie Carrier, Jr. spun in front of the field and many competitors were forced to slow down. Two-time defending race winner Scott Bloomquist was among them. Bloomquist slowed so dramatically, he actually was passed by race leader Francis. However, the yellow flag never waved until the third lap, at which point, Bloomquist was allowed to retake his starting position prior to the resumption of the race.
It was the first of a series of whacky on-track accidents that punctuated the event.
In the end, Francis led every lap from the pole and admitted after the race that he never really had to push it.
Many competitors left with wrecked race cars and hot tempers they blamed on the format, the race track and anything else they could think of.
Meanwhile, Lowe’s Motor Speedway and World of Outlaws had to live with what was perceived by many as a “crappy” race. Everyone that is except Francis, who took the $50,000 top prize to the bank.