28 replies to this topic

[Larry Mattingly]

'MADHOUSE', a new television series featuring the NASCAR open-wheel modified class, is set to debut Sunday at 10:00 PM (EST) on the History Channel...

These cars are WILD... I used to bring the NASCAR modified touring series to Jennerstown (PA) Speedway, and I can attest these cars are stupid fast, and just plain look cool.

Action comes from the historic Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem NC, a quarter-mile paved track constructed around a football field.

While most short-track ovals are struggling these days, this place plays to a packed house every week.

LM

[Hworth08]

Bowman Gray is a great little track! The crowd is so close and looking down that you can't help but see them.

In the older days there were certain tracks that a person had to race on if they were going to have a shot at moving up and Bowman Gray was one of them!

Sure is a lot of history for the North East Modifieds. I'm looking foward to the series.

[Guy Spaulding]

Just 20 miles from my house. I'm actually surprised this kind of track still exists. It's a tight, narrow 1/4 mile asphalt track, circling a football field. Thier season is short because they have to share it with the Winston-Salem State University. But the racing is hot and heavy, sometimes dirty, and it sure attracts a crowd - often times in excess of 15K!

Have also seen the NASCAR Whelen Modifieds at Caraway Speeway, about 40 miles south. They really get wound up on that 7/16 mile high-banked oval

The cars really do look cool, but there's something to be said about the action of IMCA Modifieds running 2-3 wide on a dirt track!

[Larry Labounty]

Should be a good show. Give me a modified over a cup race any day. Been going to Stafford an Thompson an other North East tracks since I was a kid in the mid 60's. Best race at New Hampshire is the Mods !!! Larry

[Larry Labounty]

Larry Why did they stop going to Jennerstown ? It seem like it was a great track for them. I hear a lot about the purse they want an being out of reach for a lot of tracks . Larry

[Larry Mattingly]

The purse structure is an issue for the NASCAR modifieds...

The Hooters ProCup, ISMA supermodifieds, ASA late models and most other asphalt-based series were less expensive. When NASCAR started to get creative with the purse structure to get more non-New England dates, the move didn't set well with the competitors, or hard core tracks like Stafford and Thompson.

The problems is, tracks like Jennerstown, Lake Erie, Holland etc. can't draw nearly as many spectators as the New England ovals, where modifieds are a mainstay.

While niether Jennerstown race was profitable, the class and race was gaining popularity.

When I left Jennerstown, the modified race also left...

Jennerstown is now closed. Sad ending for a gresat facility.

LM

[68Caddy]

Got any pictures of this modified cars?

Nesta

[Guy Spaulding]

Here's some NASCAR modifieds:




And some IMCA dirt modifieds

[993]

thanks for heads up,
This one does it for me, set up for the asphalt from San Diego.
His garage looks like a D3 racers slot box.

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[Larry Mattingly]

If anyone is interested in racing a slot car version of NASCAR asphalt, or DIRT modifieds check out these sites. Both style bodies are of the computer generated laminated-style, so virtually any paint scheme can be duplicated.

NASCAR asphalt modifieds: realityraceway.net

These bodies are made to fit Parma FCR and womp chassis...

DIRT Modifieds: rpmcollectables.net/RPMSLOTFRONT.html

These bodies are made to fit a 4" Flexi chassis or the FCR. You could also scratch-build your own...

Mark Greene runs this class at Keystone Raceway, and they look GREAT on the FCR chassis.

Great oval track classes. The mods have raced a couple of times on road courses as well...

LM

[Larry Mattingly]

thanks for heads up,
This one does it for me, set up for the asphalt from San Diego.
His garage looks like a D3 racers slot box.

The #58 looks to be Merv Treichler's old super speedway modified...

NASCAR created the class to run the modifieds at Daytona on the road course.

There were some beautiful creations, but most hard core modified fans hated the front body work.

LM

[Larry Mattingly]

And, that looks like one of Joe Bullock's (#76) famous dirt modifieds - driven by Gerald Chamberlain - in the background...

Chamberlain virtually owned the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway at one time.

LM

[993]

And, that looks like one of Joe Bullock's (#76) famous dirt modifieds - driven by Gerald Chamberlain - in the background...

Chamberlain virtually owned the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway at one time.

LM

Larry should be Slotblog's mod expert!

You might know east coast transplant Lance Smith, he races/restores vintage race cars a couple blocks from the Ocean Beach Pier in San Diego.
The #76 he drives to local hot rod meets, what a creation.
He kept it just as it was in the day.

Yes you are correct on Merv's car, I asked Lance how the wieght to power ratio compared to other race cars in his garage.

Merv's iron/alum big block car 86 has 2 lbs for evey 1 hp. 45%F / 55%R
My McLaren iron/alum small block M12 Coupe is 3.08 lbs / HP 39%F / 61%R
The Championship M8B alum/alum big block is 2.10 lbs / HP 40%F / 60%R

cheers,
Mike

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[Larry Labounty]

Larry At are local track we have a racer making the bodies you mention .They been putting them on the same chassis . I haven't seen them run but the dirt bodies they like better cause of more down force .The track owner Of Rapid Raceway is a huge fan of the local Mod racing wanted us to build a narrow retro frame to run the asphalt bods. Not even in New England can many of the local tracks afford a Nascar Whalen tour show.It all seems way out of control to me.Some of the better funded teams must have a $100.000/$150.000 rig to toll there cars to win $6.000 if you finish towards the bottom lucky to pay for the tolls. The speedway mods look great in there day thats for sure always look for Bodine in the Armstrong #1 to be up front With Evans. They would make some neat slot car bodies !!!!! Always read great things about Jennerstown Sorry I never made it out there. Larry

[Larry Mattingly]

Larry

I think the Reality Raceway site is the same guy making the NASCAR bodies...

Money is a huge issue in all forms of short-track racing... That is why the Tru-Value series has become popular in NE.

I saw Bodine win a race in the Armstrong car at Pocono.

Met a lot of great NE fans when we had the mods at Jennerstown. You were correct... it was a great track for modifieds. Teddy C. put on a show in the second race we had. Didn't make a lot of friends that night...lol

LM

[Larry Labounty]

Larry. Hard to picture Ted not being in the center of the boo's. Reminds me of Bodine in the Northeast in the70"s. Love him or hate him for a guy in his 50's Teddy is one person who has so much passion to race an run up front. It sure is in his blood !!!!! Larry

[993]

Larry and my other brother Larry, you guys like the way the show was edited?
Made the featured racer's look very unprofessional.
I'll catch the next one but if it gets anymore like the Hatfields and McCoys forget it.

[Larry Mattingly]

Hey... it's a 'reality' show.

And, all the feuden', fighten' and finger pointen' is why Bowman-Gray puts 15,000 butts in the seats on a WEEKLY basis...

Stuff like that goes on at every short-track in the nation.

LM

[Guy Spaulding]

You're SO right, Larry!

And... they call that passion!

Too bad we don't see more of that in the CUP and NW events. Any more professionals like JJ (48), and there just wont be anything to watch.

(BTW, I'm a long time TS fan)

[Jacob Shiplet]

I go to eldora several times a year. There is alot of mouthy young kids in the late models now a days. I dont mean that young, they are probably my age, but younger than steve francis and bloomquist. I also used to go to Columbus Motor Speedway alot, and they had alot of fist fights as well. Gotta love short track America.

[Hworth08]

Stuff like that goes on at every short-track in the nation.

LM

Not at NASCAR santioned tracks. First time is probably a 4 week suspension, second fight and you're probably out for the year and maybe barred for life.

In the mid-70s we raced two to four nights a week. Every tow truck carried a gun. No one wanted to get shot over a race. No one wanted to go to jail for shooting someone. No one wanted to watch the mirrow every lap to see if someone was after you. New drivers quickly learned what was OK or were dealt with on the track. After their equiment was gone they usually just quit.

Wrecks are going to happen. Parts break. Tires get hot and lose grip. Drivers get bored and do dumb things just like people on a highway. Sometimes hitting a person is excused and you have to be an excuser sometimes but wrecking ain't racing. Rubbing is but not wrecking.

If a driver was going to become a racer and start to move up he had to follow the code.

[Larry Mattingly]

Don

Bowman-Gray IS NASCAR-sanctioned... part of their weekly racing series.

In fact, NASCAR's Jim Hunter used to proudly point to Bowman-Gray as THE way to operate a short-track. Particularly when tracks complained to NASCAR for more help for the weekly series. "Bowman-Gray doesn't ask for help, and they pack the place every week"... yada, yada

BTW... NASCAR usually doesn't get involved in legislating penalties at their short-tracks. Tracks handle their own rules, suspensions etc... The only thing NASCAR pays attention to is if your sanctioning fee check is late.

LM

[993]

Are the drivers getting paid for doing the show? yes
is it just a Jerry Springer show on wheels.
If it makes racing free for the drivers on the show I say go for it.
Have a blast, the ultimate racing for free.

[Larry Labounty]

Mike. Sorry to say I miss the show. I try to be up by 3:30 am so by 8:00 p.m I'm with the pillow monster. If it anything like Pinks I "ll be glad to miss it. You always hope your going to see a well done show. But it seems main stream America loves the B.S specials. An my wife wonders why I don't watch TV with her. Larry

[Larry Labounty]

Larry .I never saw or hear of to much rought stuff at Stafford or Thompson . I'm sure Stafford would never put up with it. Years ago went to the old Planville stadium track that was just a riot waiting to to explode in the stands. I guees the pits had it share of fights. once was enought for me . Larry