Timed Dashes good or bad…

If you had the money and time invested, that it takes to field a modified, you would understand why timed dash line ups are better for “RACING” at ANY big dollar race event. You notice I said racing not crashing. The problem with drawing for starting spots is there is no qualification to draw, all you need is a modified and you can enter the race and pick for your starting spot, you don’t even have to have ever made one lap in a car. Now in a timed dash set up, lets just say 5 heats 4 to qualify the fast 4 cars are already starting in the front. But you don’t have to beat the fastest guy to get into a qualifying spot you need to beat the 4th fastest car to get into the show. That’s what racing your way in should be, if you can’t race into one of those spots should you have the right to be up front because of the luck of the draw. Now I’ll give a little on this because I think heats should be 15 laps. This give you time to get to the front. Also you don’t normally have the yellows you do when you draw for starting spots, so time isn’t as big of a issue. There does needs to be a invert not a draw for feature starting spots. Can’t have a draw for one and not the other, can we. In the end it comes down to 28 plus lucky drivers or 28 plus fast drivers in the race. That’s my two cents. See ya at the track someday!

Weather looking iffy for Friday night…

I see I had a few hits on the counter, so I better update the weeks plans. If the weather holds, I’ve been told Kevin will be taking the #88 Hartnett Racing Teo Small Block to Big Diamond tomorrow night. He wants to try and get one more run in before the Coalcracker 100. Underground Weather has the chance of rain at 70% up from 40% when I checked this morning, not looking real good at this point. Last word was some of the crew will be on hand to help Kevin and Tara with the car. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it this week. I may need someone to send me a rundown on what happened.

If the weather holds…

The crew will be at Big Diamond to help Kevin and Tara with the Hartnett Racing number 88 on August 21st. This will be the second trip to Big Diamond this year, for Kevin, and the third race in his new Teo.

Penn Can Speedway Friday August 14th…

Another not so good night at the Can. Just couldn’t get the car to grip the track. It wanted to dance on top all night. Kevin started last in the heat and finished last, and started last in the consi and finished last. We loaded up and headed home after watching the feature from the stands. We are going to have to do some major changes before going back. It’s looking like Penn Can next week, keep an eye on the schedule page. When I know for sure I will change it to black. I added a few pic’s to the Penn Can Album at Redline Rover Photography.

Big Diamond Friday August 7th…

Kevin got some good seat time in his Hartnett Racing number 88 and learned a few things in preparation for the upcoming Coalcracker 100. He started in the rear (11th) of the first heat and ran strong right from the start. He made it up to 7th at the finish with 6 qualifying. That finish put him on the pole for the consi and that is where he stayed for the remainder winning by 3 car lengths. Even if Kevin had qualified in his heat the best he would of started was 18th, so his 19th starting spot from winning the consi was about as good as he could of done. I got to say the field at Big Diamond is about as strong a field as you are going to find at any track. There was a lot of money spent last night with all the beating and banging going on. After watching last night I think a lot of that is the nature of the track. (Maybe I’ll do a My Two Cents on this subject sometime and explain.) Kevin managed to stay out of all the wrecks, and came home with a 15th and a 17th (DNF). He accomplished what he set out to do. He found out what he needed to know about tire wear, gears, and a few other “good to know things” going into the end of the season races. All in all it was a fun night at the track for the race team, and that is what is important in the end. Next week we should be heading back to Penn Can with the 55, I’ll let you all know for sure later in the week.

Change to schedule…

This coming Friday night, August 7th, Kevin Hartnett will be behind the wheel of his number 88 small block modified at Big Diamond Raceway. With twin 25’s on the schedule it is a good time for Kevin to get some seat time in his recently acquired 2009 Teo small block. The Sitler Kline Racing crew will also be at Big Diamond to help Kevin and Tara. Right now plans are for the 55 modified to return to action at Penn Can Speedway the following Friday night August 14th. However, keep checking back as our plans are very fluid at this time and may change on very short notice. Tara sent this pic of the car today, looks sharp. Three larger pic’s on Redline Rover Photography link at right.

Kevin Hartnett