NASCAR MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (30 laps): CRAIG VON DOHREN, Brett Kressley, Brian Hirthler, Ryan Graver, Eddie Strada, Logan Watt, Carroll Hine III, Anthony Perrego, Louden Reimert, Jim Housworth, Kyle Smith, Eric Biehn, Ryan Watt, Rick Laubach, Chris Gambler, Jax Yohn, Justin Grim, Jeff Strunk, Mike Gular, Duane Howard, Tim Buckwalter, Ryan Grim, Kenny Bock, Nathan Mohr, Jack Butler, Mike Laise, Ryan Beltz, Mike Lisowski, Jared Umbenhauer

DID NOT QUALIFY: Cody Manmiller, Chris Esposito, Brandon Edgar, Jon Kellner, Darrin Schuler, Ron Haring Jr., Matt Yoder, Dylan Swinehart, Mark Gaugler, Bobby Trapper Jr., Bobby Butler, John Willman, Bobby Gunther Walsh, Craig Whitmoyer, Bobby Trapper Sr., Eric Kormann

Information is always available at www.grandviewspeedway.com or on Facebook, or by telephone at 610.754.7688.

Next Event, Saturday, July 18 – T.P. TRAILERS & TRUCK EQUIPMENT NIGHT - T.P. Trailers & Truck Equipment Modifieds & Sportsman, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage, BACK TO THE 90’S NIGHT – $10 GRANDSTAND ADMISSION – 7:30 pm

I think DNQ's are an essential part of the sport, and if the sport has reached the point where it can't survive because drivers/teams won't show up because they aren't guaranteed to start the feature, then the sport (weekly short track stock car racing) no longer needs to exist.

Think of the drivers and teams that created short track stock car racing.  Do you think they were a bunch of guys that would only show up if they were guaranteed a ribbon?  

About 15 years ago when my kids were involved with Little League, at the end of the season, they had a special "Awards Day" where every kid on every team got some kind of ribbon or something.  I guess the idea is that it built up some participants self esteem, but looking around our country these days, I think we've got a few too many folks out there, full of plenty of "esteem".... that never learned the difference between "everyone gets a ribbon no matter the results", compared to those who actually earned a trophy, or for those brave enough who threw their ribbon away and dug deeper to work on what they needed to do next time around to actually earn something.

The sport (short track racing) wasn't made up by drivers and teams that were guaranteed anything other than the hope that with determination, skill, and being able to avoid some bad luck...., that if they did things a little better than their competition, they had an opportunity to earn a spot in the feature for their division, and would be part of the big show... And if they didn't...., then they went home disappointed, and even more determined to figure out what to do differently next week to earn a spot.

On a national level, we see what has happened with the joke now known as "The Twins" at Daytona.  We see what happens when there are only 33 entries for the Indy 500.  The Daytona 500 and the Indy 500 will be just fine because they are "events", and although true fans of the sport miss the excitement and the COMPETITION and elimination process of the event leading up to the main event, we still watch the "main event."  But for me, pretty much knowing the starting field before qualification has even begun takes away what was once a very big part of the overall show/days leading up to "the show."  

As a former weekly fan in the stands..., at a local level... guaranteeing feature starting spots for all just doesn't work when it comes to a regular Saturday night show.  I understand why it is done.  I understand how you can't have a show if you don't have participants.  But I also understand that there is a correlation between "everyone gets a ribbon" and why less old time fans (like me) go to the weekly races anymore, and also an often unacknowledged reason why the sport isn't as compelling, or unpredictable enough for anyone to become fans of weekly stock car racing... as we all did.

How many of you remember the nights your favorite driver, or dad... or brother, or maybe even you (former racers)... didn't make the feature because of bad luck, flat tire, engine issue, accident.... or maybe they just were out performed on that particular night.  Did they demand a feature starting spot for the following week or else....., or did they go out there the next week and earn one?  (While we're at it, how many laps was your favorite driver guaranteed if during a race, they would slow down... causing a yellow.... so they could dart into the pits?)

Attending a short track show where everyone is guaranteed a starting spot in their feature, regardless of redraws... regardless of "getting their handicapping back,"....  feels like less than a complete show for an old time race fan like me.

I appreciate current race teams/drivers, but do so only if they don't feel entitled to anything other than what their performance has earned.  

There is an honesty to that, that I can't help but respect.

Well said Joe!  I couldn't have said it better.

Maybe a race for thé DNQ 

Don Jones had the best deal for everyone. Money earned line up and third heat race. He paid more money 30 years ago than most tracks today. He was fair to everyone.

Agreed Joe.  And here's a classic example: years ago I was helping out on Daryl Lewis' car at Shangri-La.  Not really pit crew, but just kind of hanging around, taking pics, and helping load the car etc.  One year at the Southern Tier 200 (big end of year race) he didn't qualify.  And he was furious at himself and how they would show up late at times, not getting in the seat time in practice needed to dial in the car.  The nature of his fury was "we are either going to actually freaking do this and get serious about it, or hang it up, and I am not ready to hang it up."  They got serious about finding a sponsor, getting a good engine, and doing the midweek work needed.  He eventually became a multi time feature winner, and now his sons and grandkids are successful racers as well.  Point being, nont qualifying gave him the impetus to improve.

Now, it is possible that some drivers who seem to never qualify may say "enough" and close up shop - actually, I know that has happened.  So I wonder if having a nonqualifiers race that maybe pays the top 5 positions enough to cover at least tow money may keep some of these drivers going?  Certainly it would give them additional seat time and for a lot of them, that's what they need to improve.