COLUMN: Toyota Tundra 250 proved it has plenty of worth

On its own merits, the New England Toyota Tundra 250 could be qualified as a success.

Sure, there could have been more people in the stands. Sure, there could have been a shorter program. Sure, they could have done without dumping the final 750 pounds of speedy-dry they had in the coffers onto the track in the middle of the main event.

But, here’s what the race did provide.

There were 48 cars on hand to qualify at a time when more and more tracks are dropping the division, obviously leaving less of pool from which to draw. The heat races provided for some drama. The main event saw pit strategy play out in a way that had people animated in their conversations about how it would all go down.

But, here in Maine, all of that stuff isn’t quite enough. Measured against New England’s single biggest race day not held at a NASCAR Sprint Cup track in New Hampshire, everything falls short. Of course, if I learned anything at all this weekend, it’s that there still is a call for a Super Late Model race with a large purse.

It’s not the Oxford 250. It never will be.

That being said, the Toyota Tundra 250 – when judged without comparison – was a fine event. If it can be repeated, it can become the kind of race that people of all ilks – drivers, fans and even media – will put on their annual summer schedule.

First, the bad.

More advance promotion needed to be done. The intangible pre-race "buzz" which everyone sought came more out of a "wait and see" discussion than any kind of "must-see" feeling, much like you get with Oxford’s midsummer classic.

Upon exiting Wiscasset Raceway late Sunday night, one PASS official noted that the packed program was too long – with two extended Sportsman races, a long Modified race and other support races. Five first-round heats were too many with just 48 cars, but even that wasn’t the biggest problem. And, at the risk of drawing another Oxford comparison, the entire thing wrapped up at 10:30 p.m. – not all that long after most "normal" (read: non-rain-delayed) Oxford 250s see the checkered flag.

I’m usually the first to complain about the length of a race program, but it’s almost always about the weekly race format. Complaining about a "big" show running several hours falls on deaf ears. It’s an event – not a 40-lap feature race on a Saturday night.

Wiscasset Raceway officials also saw that they are not quite equipped to handle a show of this magnitude – but it’s not for lack of effort, and it’s not as if a major overhaul needs to happen in order to be able to do it seamlessly. Confusion from track officials in the midst of a PASS restart, or a shortage of speedy-dry, or even running out of pizza at the concession stand – every single instance is an easy fix. None will doom this event going forward.

And, now, for the good.

Five years ago, just 39 cars attempted to run a 400-lap Super Late Model race at Wiscasset, one paying a cool hundred grand at the perceived height of the division in the region. On Sunday, virtually without any interest from outside of New England, more teams than that entered.

Was it the 60, 70 or even 80-90 cars that once dotted the Oxford 250 field when it was a Super Late Model race? Not even close. And it’s not the 86 that attempted to run the Oxford 250 this year – but why should it be? Flat-out, the Super Late Models are more expensive to run. Late Models are affordable, which, of course, is the entire point. Money weeds people out, and it doesn’t make one or the other right or wrong.

Was the quality in the depths of the field the same Sunday as it was in 2003's Big Dawg 400? To be fair, probably not.

There is a pervading myth that all the American-Canadian Tour has to do is open its gates and 50 cars automatically show up to race. It’s patently untrue. Or was the entry list from Airborne International Raceway a misprint?

That’s not to say that PASS doesn’t have problems with attendance these days, as the fields barely over 20 cars at places like Riverside Speedway and Speedway 95 will attest.

The economy is affecting racing, as we all know, and it will effect the most expensive forms first.

True, Wiscasset owner Doug White, in all his bravado in the face of adversity, never, ever, should have uttered the words that the New England Toyota Tundra 250 was "replacing" the Oxford 250. It simply cannot and will not – it’s battling a facility twice its size and nearly four decades of history, plain and simple.

But that doesn’t mean the Toyota Tundra 250 doesn’t belong on Maine’s landscape. On Sunday, it proved that it does.

Comments

[Andy B]

Nice spun, but it doesn't measure up to the Milk Bowl either.

The question to ask is:
Will this race be around in 5 years?

My answer is no.

From TB:

To be fair, the Milk Bowl is a great event (or so Juice tells me every other day), but to make a true statement on racing in Maine, it doesn't quite fit into the argument unless it's as some kind of Late Model propaganda.

Ummm...

Sure, people from Maine attend the Milk Bowl and make it an annual calendar addition -- but the majority of Mainers are more familiar with the Oxford 250 or a PASS race somewhere in the state than the Milk Bowl.

[rkp]

I must admit that I was quite happy with how much I enjoyed the race,it was a long show with the extra lap races but I have to give Wiscasset and pass a thumbs up for the show and hope it only gets bigger and better

[Alex]

Very well written and a perfect response to Bill Ryan's blog piece (even if that wasn't the intention). I wish I could've have attended the Wiscasset race, but work got in the way. Otherwise, I would've been there. I think if they fix the minor glitches, as you say, and do a bit more promoting... after a few years, it could be a race that is a 'can't miss.'

[Ken M]

well said travis (and i mean that). this may get a bit lengthy, so bear with me ...

i'm realistic enough to know that we need to take the "bad" with the "good" ... after all this was the FIRST n.e. toyota tundra 250. i think that is a point that many people are overlooking. as you said there are many things that went well and there are certainly many things we can improve on in the future years of our event.

i also believe that many people may be over-reacting a bit to doug's comment about "replacing" the oxford 250. if people look at the complete quote they'll notice that he said it would replace the oxford 250 "as far as prostocks are concerned". doug has actually been very complimentary of the oxford 250 and in his opinion it had its glory days as a prostock race. he has seen that there is still an audience for prostocks (or super-duper-really- neatorific-latemodels - travis...lol) his wish for our event is simply to replace what was lost when oxford changed their big race to a late model sportsman race. as a matter of fact, you see other similarities (single day event, heats, consis, last chance race, and LMS tranfer) because he was such a big fan of the oxford 250 format. i tried to stress that point friday when i was on the "in the pits program (that is co-hosted by bill ryan himself) from what i could tell, bill knew exactly where i was coming from. i think people are reading too much into the word "replace".

finally, as far as promoting the race as new england's premier event... again, as far as prostock / SLM racing goes, he was probably right (again .. the context issue). i've worked in the field of promotion for over 25 years...far longer than my 16 years at wiscasset and i would have pushed it that way myself if i was calling the shots. no promoter would be in business long if they promoted a race of that magnitude as "the 4th best race of the year - according to the well traveled race experts". all of the feedback really does help... we've just got to filter through the complaints to get to constructive input that will help make this a prestigeous event that even comes close to what the oxford 250 has established to this point. thanks again travis

[Scott]

The common comments I've been hearing is that the fans and teams WANT this event back next year and are confident that it will only improve.

It's important to remember that Doug White hasn't been a racetrack owner/promoter for that long and some minor glitches in planning (too long of a program, limited number of bathrooms, etc.) should not only be tolerated but expected.

I have August 15th and 16th marked on my calendar for next year, as long as there is a willingness to continue to hold, promote, and improve this event, in five years it WILL replace the T.D. Banknorth 300 strictly stock cars to attempt to qualify 250 as New England's biggest and best one day short track event.

From TB:

While I hardly challenge your will to see this race through, I can confidently tell you that you will not replace the Oxford 250.

Period.

Continuing to hold a points-paying PASS North race to a 35-year-old Maine/New England/national tradition will only leave you frustrated from banging your head against the wall on so many occasions.

Why is everyone out to "replace" the Oxford race, anyway?

[Brad Bellows]

I really wanted that pizza!

[Bill Ryan]

Hi Ken,

How about this, I won't compare anything that I do to the Toyota 250 if you do not compare your race to the TD Banknorth 250? In fact, how about you guys promise to never to say the words "Oxford Plains Speedway" again?

That way we will avoid any "misunderstandings."

Fair enough?

Bill

[Mark]

Here's my question: IF (and I can't capitalize that "IF" enough for this) there was one common set of rules for all of these cars that are essentially full fendered, after-market race cars, couldn't there be three mega races in this state in the summer?

If those 40+ cars were combined with the 85 that ran at OPS for the 250, why couldn't Wiscasset run a $15,000 to win in June with 70 cars on hand, OPS holds its 250 with the largest purse\marketing (and grandstands!), in July, and then Beech Ridge gets 70+ cars on hand for its big fall show.

Every one of these track could have 70+ cars at their biggest race of the year and ALL of the names would be there which means all of the fans would have ONE single place to go watch a race for those weekends.

I also don't mind diversity in racing, but let's face it, the late model division is fragmented and there really just is not enough difference between "pro stocks" and late models in my opinion.

Please note: I did not say to adopt the current ACT rules either. I think those particular rules\specs could be tweaked a bit as well...if only a move to a 400 HP motor and 10" tires as I think that slight change would draw many Pro Stock teams back and some of those guys wouldn't feel so much like they are taking a step back. Leave everything else the way it is.

I just do not understand. Can anyone tell me why Wiscasset wouldn't have wanted up to 70 late models there this weekend if it was marketed correctly and run in conjunction with a three race Super Series with OPS and Beech Ridge?

Why wouldn't it work? Probably because of stubborness more than anything.

From TB:

Wow! Now you sound like Mike Harnish and Steve Reny!

[Bill Ryan]

I totally agree Mark and would work with anyone that wanted to work towards that goal. In fact, we have tried to work towards that in the past.

There are two major problems as I see it. There are a number of teams that have a huge advantage in Pro Stock racing because of outsized budgets. They will always howl that any change is turning the cars into Strictly Stocks (see Scott above). I am not sure that they believe it, but they do not want to lose their advantage by having equitable rules so they will always fight any change. Second, there still exists series and tracks that cater to these cars. Those series and tracks believe that these "stars" are what brings in fans. (An aside, these "stars" were mostly created by Bob Walker through the great job he did at public relations at Oxford over the years. Bob was always selling and he developed many of these drivers into the "stars" they are today. Kudos to Bob.) With a unified rules package, PASS is out of business. I think a unified rules package and corresponding purse package would help the other tracks in Maine.

Will this happen? Of course it will. See my blog post regarding CART/IRL. Will it happen tomorrow? I do not know. It depends on how deep some of the pockets are in the racing biz in Maine.

The funny thing is, there is literally no difference in the racing. There can be good Pro Stock races and bad Pro Stock races, good Late Model races and bad Late Model races. Trust me, I have seen around 100,000 laps of racing over the last ten years.

Have we really been debating how many angels will fit on the head of a pin for two years?

[Wayne]

Mark makes some good points. Open up the motor a little more tire but i think a different shock deal like a 150.00 rebuildable shock. And racing brakes not passenger brakes along with a alum. drive shaft rule. Tweek here and there and BINGO. Look out for the Pro Late Model being worked up by a little groop of people it may just take off.

[Ken M]

hi bill

i'm not going to jump into the LMS v.s. SLM battle royal. i really don't care. i actually still like both of them. i agree that Late Models have been the way to go from the "cost effective" standard(remember Dave St Clair headed in that direction even before you). doug simply feels that there is still an audience and drivers for prostocks and that is the "nitch" he's looking to fill with our 250. i just wanted to point out that i think people were overreacting to the word "replace". i dont think they were taking doug's entire statement in its proper context.

as far as the constant comparisons to your track and your marque event (i still haven't said the words .. lol) i would hope you would be flattered in a way. i think all the comparison has been brought up because most people (myself included) consider your biggest race as the "benchmark" for others to shoot for. i dont think it's a case of "track-size envy" or "event-size envy", but merely looking at a level of excellence and prestige that our track and other tracks can shoot for. this was the first of what i hope are many toyota tundra 250's and travis baret' and others are correct in saying it would be foolish for anyone to think this will "replace" your event. i hope the prostock thing sticks at wiscasset and it continues to be an annual event to mark on people's calender...but in the bigger picture, i just hope that the event itself continues to be a success regardless of what type of car it is for.

as always, i wish you guys all the success that we are striving for at our track ... in the end everyone will win. i promise i'll drop it ... it's giving me a head ache anyway listening to people complain so much about a sport they claim to love so much.

oh yeah, one question though ... if i can't say the words (you know where), then what do i say next time some of your guys come to wiscasset to race when they have an offday? i prefer to actually tell people where some of these outsiders race... just joking of course (insert nervous laughter here).

thanks!
ken
p.s. say hi to kallee

[GREG T]

Mark and Bill are spot on with this, and I agree with Bill that this will eventually get done, if you put the 400 hp crate and big tires on the act cars, and tone down the P.A.S.S cars, dont you basically have a carquest tour type race car?
I think we are "singing from the same choir" on this.
Mark, who do you envision will sanction this mini series?
I beleive it could be a combo.

[JustAProStockFan]

You have already seen Johnny Clark and Travis Benjamin race with the Carquest/Speedway 660 rules. The Cushman car has raced this package also. It only seems like a couple of teams would be hindered by this change. This is a change that needs to be made. Look at the success that the Carquest Tour has had. Good crowds and car counts in the low 30's for every event.

[Bill Ryan]

Ken,

The only two media reports I saw, Travis' and WGME's, both leaned heavy on the comparison, both with strong negative connotations towards Oxford. It is hard to be flattered when I hear that we are being "replaced" and that the Wiscasset race had a "bigger" purse than the 250. I actually saw one other in the Brunswick paper that had some of the same negative stuff, but that was not coming directly from the track. Regardless, my reaction was based on those reports.

Not really a question for you I guess, but one that no one has ever been able to answer for me:

Where is the growth in Pro Stock racing going to come from?

I wish that every track in New England had 20 Pro Stocks. I would have never had to make my change and we all could have countless wasted hours of our time back.

Wishing it were so and the reality of the situation are two different things.

When an Oxford guy comes over, tell the folks that they run at "Pure Evil Speedway." Actually, that would be a cool name for a track.

I am curious, why bigger tires and 60 more horsepower? What significant difference will that make?

[Mark]

"I am curious, why bigger tires and 60 more horsepower? What significant difference will that make?"

Bill, from what I've seen and heard talking to some drivers, those items would bridge the gap better for a Pro Stocker to make a switch in their racing philosophy. Also, I was under the impression the true "crate" motor was at 325 HP but maybe that's off a bit. I was thinking of the extra horsepower as +20%...which is pretty signifcant.

I don't necessarily think it is needed for a good race or a good car, the late model races have proven that, but my thoughts are more directed at getting those Pro Stockers (see the Mike Harnish\Steve Reny type of guys) more in line with one type of car.

Maybe that will never happen and the ACT type late model will never be flexible either. However, I think everyone involved should keep their eyes open on what is actually the best type of car to in the region. The extra horsepower and wider tires are two items that seem to interest some of those "lower" budget Pro Stockers.

Maybe other tracks...like Beech Ridge, Wiscasset, Speedway 95, et al, WOULD be interested in that spec of car.

Just throwing it out there.

[OPSMedia]

Hey Ken,

When one of your guys visits, I do the David Letterman thing and tout their accomplishments "on another network."

:)

K.O.

[Andy B]

So is the rumor about a big dust up in the pits after the race true?

And if it is, how come not word one about it?

By anyone!!!

If there was an "incident" involving one of the PASS series signature drivers which was serious enough to result in a suspension of some type, that's major news that this site and "others" failed to cover in a timely fashion.

Credibility in the motorsports journalism takes another hit!!!

[shredder]

i see the weekly late model car count at ops dwindling, lee speedway even worse,rumors of some teams running only the bigger races, the cost of everything going up. 15-16 pro stocks at beechridge, and the 95er & unity nearly closed. the pro stocks and late models at the end of their innovative run. sounds like something that needs to be re-invented. the evolution of the modern pro stock doesn't have anywhere to go anymore. the thing desperately needs drastic changes to have a prayer of a chance to get people excited about it again. it turned into too much like nuclear physics and splitting hairs to get the thing to go around the track a millionth of a second faster at great expense too. the changes i'm talking about are either cheap or free compared to what components cost for them nowadays, the best ideas are always the simplest ones. its time for us to put our de-thinking caps on.

[Bill Ryan]

The Late Model weekly car count has remained steady all year at OPS. You will have slight differences from week to week, but that is only natural.