Yes Lenny the old days of handicapping are gone.  You qualify in the top 6 in each heat and were handicapped by money's won over last three weeks.  The driver with the most money would start 18th.  Now they take the top 4 out of each heat and have a pill draw.

When it became the norm that all racers made the feature due to a low total car count (and no consi needed), I think the tracks went to the "re-draw" to make the heats have some purpose.   I read, or heard from someone that most tracks do not pay any heat money.  If thats true, I understand why the re-draw has become the norm.  I recall that Windsor was paying $200 to win a heat back in the 70s.  Scott Ely

Additional info:  At some point, East Windsor was paying at least $300 to win a heat.

$500.00 to win the third heat in the late 80's

He's a college educated engineer. He's got the Bicknell on coils figured out better than everyone, including Bicknell. He has very, very good engines and he can drive. Stew is a better driver at this point, but Matt is much more dominant because of the complete package.  I am hoping, because over the last ten years, Matt and Stew run on two year domination cycles and Matt is in his second year. I hope it flip flops back to Stew next year.  We will see! 

First lets agree that Balls have nothing to do with it. They might get you a win or two but to dominate you have to have all your ducks in a row. The cars and engines for that matter are all close because of the rules a racer has to live with these days. Sure there are things to make one motor run better then others but I don't see Matt having a big HP advantage. He has definatley hit on something with the set up. Most times that is the case when one guy is better then others. He's got an educated right foot. Very smooth with no panic in him (different then Stew). The thing that some don't realize is it takes a lot of work to be as dominant as he has been. The little bit I know about him is he eats, drinks, and sleeps, Modified dirt racing.

I've heard talk that STSS doesn't tech anyone. Kevin Eyres, can you confirm that? There's always the conversation about traction control, cooling the fuel etc.  It's reminds me of a conversation with Tony Siscone when back in the day Tony was winning a lot and NASCAR (who were racing at Dover that weekend) were sent to Flemington to check out the car. They were looking for traction control, but they found nothing. Dick Barney, the car owner said , I have traction control and he pointed to Tony's right foot and said, that's my traction control. lol. Tony said the next week Dick found an old wire harness in his shop and strapped to the frame by the rear so the competition could see it. Great story.

Dick told Tony, don't be upset, it's the ultimate compliment.

I think Tony is on 3wides as a observer only. Tony, we'd love to hear more about this subject from you.

For the record, I'm not saying Matt is cheating, but he knows something no one else does.

STSS does tech after most races. Tuesday Stew finished third but was not tetched basically because he had a big block. You had Sheppard, Perrego and Stew in the top three, all from upstate New York and have been teched multiple times in STSS and Bret's local tracks.  They are legal so let them get home early.  If there was a surprise guy racing into the top three than I bet you would have post race tech. 

College educated engineer and his dad being a racer has to help. Always seems smooth as stated above. Matt's cars come feature time appear very balnced in their stance. Not much lean in any direction. Reminds me of a time that Bloomquist was dominating the late model world when most were hiking the left front high in the air. Scott's car seemed very level through out the night. 

Allen

Same plan as the last 6 years. Full time Trucks.  A slight hint at cutting back on the Mods, I wish the other way around!