4-Crown Performances

Some comments on the running of the 4-Crown racing at Eldora:
• Mike Stroehle’s great finish in the Silver Crown division (11th). The No. 83 — a family operation who put on an impressive run with all the top teams in the final laps. His lap times during the race were competitive with Dave Darland, the winner. He’s a proud owner of Throwback Racing. The fans love his car — an A.J. Watson front nose. I’m proud to sponsor such a talented driver.
• Ricky Stenhouse’s domination of the midget division until he clipped the fence. Yeley-Darland’s numerous slide jobs with Darland on the fence. Great race in the midgets.
• The track should consider going back to a two-night show for USAC.
John P. Huss
Oconomowoc, Wis.

USAC, Eldora Hospitality

Wow! We’ve been to many races at Eldora, but this was the first time we made it to a USAC show there. What a show! Great racing all night and “The Mighty Midgets” are forever the “greatest show on dirt.” There will be many a comment on this midget race.
So many good people to thank for making this trip so special — USAC’s Dick Jordan for the ride from Indy and back and all the extra efforts he made to insure our trip was special. D.J. is not only a Sprint Car Hall of Fame walking, talking USAC history book, he gives a running narrative of the racing history of every town and wide spot in the road and plenty of great stories.
Earl and Bernice Baltes — for their hospitality, welcoming us into their home to enjoy a relaxed conversation with one of the greatest couples in the history of our sport.
Larry Boos, Eldora’s man of many hats, including announcer — for welcoming us into the media center, promoting our award sponsorships, providing an opportunity for us to convey to all the owners, drivers and officials how much we respect their efforts, and for the opportunity to meet some of the racing journalists we have enjoyed over the years.
This may be the only race we get to attend this year. It could not have been a better trip to the races.
Buck & Betty Rice
Grand Saline, Texas

We Want Ovals

I agree with Dave Patterson — what is the matter with the IRL? Ten years to get a following, eight road races next year? We want oval races.
Putting 230-mph race cars on street and road courses is Mickey Mouse. I will always support IMS, its legacy and all it stands for. IMS is hallowed ground, and 2009 will be my 36th race there.
Penske and the rest of his fat cats left once and tried to bury IMS and failed. Now, the new group Penske and Ganassi lead want their own rules.
We have many talented drivers here in the USA, but without deep pockets  they will never get the chance at the Brickyard. Put Sarah Fisher in a top car and see what she could do. Money is more important at Indy and in the IRL than talent.
I live closer to DuQuoin and that is where real racing happens. I live six miles from Kansas Speedway and do not attend the IRL race. Belleville is 240 miles away and has the best open-wheel drivers there every summer. Why don’t Penske and Ganassi drivers attempt the midgets at Belleville if they’re world class? Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?
Dale Young
Basehor, Kan.

Somebody Say ‘Cry Babies?’

In the Sept. 10 issue of NSSN was a nice piece of irony. Dave Argabright wrote a very good article about the Boone IMCA Super Nationals where there are no “cry babies.” You spin out, you go to the trailer, and there are stories about guys coming from 30th to second in a nightly feature.
On the next page on the back of Dave’s column was a report on the World 100 by Paul Fletcher about Earl Pearson, Jr., Jimmie Owens, Tom McCreadie and Scott Bloomquist whining about a six-car inversion in their heat races.
Apparently, our premier dirt late-model drivers think they shouldn’t have to work for a win. Heaven forbid they actually have to pass somebody. Maybe the promoter should just give the fast qualifier the winner’s trophy and the check and give the fans an early start home.
The guys in Boone are running for $2,000 to win with 300-plus cars. The late-model World 100 paid $41,000.
Bob Clevinger
Maryville, Tenn.

Stewards Were Right

Thank you, Dan Knutson (“Across the Pond,” Sept. 17, 2008), for finally pointing out what I thought was so, so obvious. While Lewis Hamilton did give back the position to Kimi (Raikkonen) after cutting the chicane, he was right on Kimi’s tail and was able to draft and pass him at the next corner.
He would not have been that close to Kimi coming out of the chicane if he hadn’t cut it.
In all the reading online and listening to TV during and after the race, this was never mentioned. Thanks, Dan, for pointing out the obvious.
David Crandon
Corona, Calif.