By T.J. Buffenbarger
1. The first one is the most asked question last night, will it work? For me success of this rules package will not be based on technical numbers, it has to pass the eye test. I know SOD owner John Naida is steadfast based on three years of research on this project combined with two recent tests this will work. To me the true measure on if this works is how entertaining the on track product is and will it increase car count. Therefore I don’t have opinion yet of a piece of paper because there hasn’t been a race with it yet. Halfway through 2016 there should be a better measure on the success of failure of such a package.
2. Announcement timing was poor. Making that rules announcement with open motors and no weight rule in the shadow of the series largest, fastest track was a badly timed. To me such an announcement at a track that would optimize the rule package such as Crystal Motor Speedway, where the series held its first race in 1980, might have went over better. The timing in the schedule made sense, but the location did not. Not to mention Hartford is far and away the nicest dirt race facility in the state with promoters that are doing a spectacular job. I feel they focus should have been on the star Hartford is becoming rather than this rule change.
3. Can the new rule package get more teams to follow the entire tour? This is the series most pressing issue at this point. A majority of the teams do not value the championship enough to follow the entire series. Will this rule package get more teams to follow the entire series with the elimination of NRA co-sanction dates? Time will tell.
4. Will someone start another sprint car series with the current rules? Now would seem like an optimal time to do something like this. The problem is SOD has had a difficult time since Jason Fausey ran the series trying to find someone to shoulder the burden. If a series with 30 plus years of qualify brand recognition in the area and several items that are almost turnkey can’t find a leader how are teams going to find someone to start a series from scratch? Because of that I find this option highly unlikely unless someone steps up and can commit to doing such a task.
5. No matter what the rule changes are the series has to be more enjoyable. The Sprints on Dirt series does its best when someone is there to not only oversea it in a consistent fashion, but it has to be fun. Granted not every moment is going to be enjoyable, but to get someone to spend money and follow a series they have to be having fun. The cars are going to have to be fun to drive, the experience for teams with tracks and SOD official needs to be enjoyable for the most part, and the point fund has to be consistent. If these things can be accomplished with the new rule package it stands a fighting chance.