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Tracks >> MERCED SPEEDWAY >> The "New" Merced 7-18-10
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Message started by fan_of_4p on 07/18/10 at 2:48pm

Title: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fan_of_4p on 07/18/10 at 2:48pm

I will try and give some updates tonight on the New West's fastest 1/4 mile dirt track Merced Speedway.
won't be able to do names so bare with me and I will be hanging out with bunch of old friend's, so maybe a little help from them. I hope Kartracer8 don't get us into any trouble with the "other" offcial's that I'm sure will be there checking it out.
Yes it's HOT out (104 today) and the new clay didn't get put down yet and with a start time of 5pm it might get dusty, but with all the cars that will be there I'm sure it's going to be GREAT.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by roeman00 on 07/18/10 at 3:51pm

Just got here. Drove around on G st. The pits are packed. There are trailers in the old over flow parking lot. See ya in the stands Ray.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fan_of_4p on 07/18/10 at 5:30pm

mods that are here..
98.1.5r.69m.16b.14p.75x.10.9xxx.3.15x.15.72b.86u.21c.66p
ss here
41h.3.88.71x.36k.61.00.07.77.15.54.71.67.15x
hobbys here
14p.38.17.40.01m.7.10.78x.70l.07
like 11 mini 4 and 6 sportmans..

the track is starting to dry out, and was very wet when I got here, it's going to be very CLOSE racing tonight on this new track..
I will try to get a couple of pics

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fan_of_4p on 07/18/10 at 5:31pm

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fan_of_4p on 07/18/10 at 6:37pm

hobby heat 1
55.38..07.7.17.77x
heat 2
10.01m.14p.70l.40.78x
ss heat 1
15x.15.00.61.41h.71.09.3
ss heat 2
71x.07.4.54.77.88.36k.67
mod heat 1
10.72.98.3.66p.9xxx.5r.86u
heat 2
1.75x.69m.21c.14p.15.15x.16b.dns

now trying to knock down some of the dust

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fan_of_4p on 07/18/10 at 6:37pm

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by steph on 07/18/10 at 7:42pm

pictures posted for fanof4p:

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fan_of_4p on 07/18/10 at 7:49pm

hobby main finish..
55.01m.38.14p.17.70l.10.7.77x.40.78x

ss main up now and they just put down water

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by Rodney on 07/18/10 at 8:06pm

40 cars in three classes, on a Sunday, this late into the season is impressive.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fan_of_4p on 07/18/10 at 9:19pm

not offical results but from a fan in the stands
ss..15.00.15x.09.41h.54.71.88.61.36k.4.67.71x.77.3

mod...98.1.69m.14p.21c.75x.66p.9xxx.3.72.15x.86u.15.16b.10

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by weaver11 on 07/18/10 at 9:36pm

ok on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being bad,and 10 being good. what you give it?
i will just say i'm glad my cars where at home.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by kartracer8 on 07/18/10 at 9:53pm

its def short track racing i think a little wider will be better and i think that exit out of 2 is a matter of time before someone gets pushed over that wall but its nice to have a nice car count and something to do on a sunday..not bad for a first show there and in the middle of the year..

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by roeman00 on 07/18/10 at 9:56pm

weaver11 wrote on 07/18/10 at 9:36pm:

ok on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being bad,and 10 being good. what you give it?
i will just say i'm glad my cars where at home.

What do you give it? The cautions were caused by the same guys who cause cautions no matter what size track there on.

Overall, all the races were pretty racey throughout the entire field.

I'll give it a high 7, low 8 .

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by roeman00 on 07/18/10 at 10:10pm

fan_of_4p wrote on 07/18/10 at 9:19pm:

not offical results but from a fan in the stands
ss..15.00.15x.09.41h.54.71.88.61.36k.4.67.71x.77.3

mod...98.1.69m.14p.21c.75x.66p.9xxx.3.72.15x.86u.15.16b.10

SS finish with names

1 Mike Shepherd
2 Bob Williamson
3 Larry Damitz ( 82 yrs old)
4 Mitch Enos
5 Roy Hart
6 Michael Baballe
7 ?
8 Buddy Thatcher
9 Ricky Thatcher
10 Steven Hannah
11 Ty Shelton
12 Michael Shearer
13 George Leffler
14 Phillip Lust
15 Sandra Sandoval
Hey Ray, you missed the 07 of Robert Diaz. That's the names I know

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by roeman00 on 07/18/10 at 10:28pm

fan_of_4p wrote on 07/18/10 at 9:19pm:

not offical results but from a fan in the stands
ss..15.00.15x.09.41h.54.71.88.61.36k.4.67.71x.77.3

mod...98.1.69m.14p.21c.75x.66p.9xxx.3.72.15x.86u.15.16b.10

With names
1 Alex Stanford
2 Randy McDaniels
3 Chris Shannon
4 Ryan Porter
5 Derrick Colvin
6 Jim Digiovani
7 Paul Stone
8 Chet Reeves
9 Nick Sagmiller
10 Aaron Barnell
11 Wassenberg
12 John Digiovani
13 Bill Eggelston
14 Randy Brown
15 Ryan McDaniels( back and forth with Alex for the lead until something broke)
16 dns Karl Rose

As Ray stated, these are Unofficial. Just some fans in the stands.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by roeman00 on 07/18/10 at 10:39pm

fan_of_4p wrote on 07/18/10 at 7:49pm:

hobby main finish..
55.01m.38.14p.17.70l.10.7.77x.40.78x

ss main up now and they just put down water

Wants again, finish with names
1 Shane Haussman (sp)
2 Raulie Rodriguez
3 Ryan Hart
4 Shannon Porter
5 Danny VanTassel
6 Robbie Loquaci
7 Ryan Larimer
8 David Soares
9 Jacob Owens
10 #40 ?
11 Aaron Widick
12 07 dns Willie Hammond ( steering box )
These are Unofficial. Just a fan in the stands

8-)

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fan_of_4p on 07/18/10 at 10:55pm

thanks Roeman00 for the help.
don't know where the 07 was, I need to revert back a lap and check my transponder in loop 3 but seeing it was not the last lap I didn't score him manully.
kartracer8 is right that turn 2 wall is RIGHT there when you come out of the turn, the first 3 wide there will put a car over the wall.
What's up with that 67 SS never letting up on the 36k?

it was nice to hangout with some of the "pot stirs" tonight, saw AW10 checking it out also.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by ministocker56 on 07/18/10 at 11:02pm

Wow good job Larry Damitz still getting it done

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by that61ss on 07/18/10 at 11:17pm

well it was ok i think going into 3 needs a little more bank or something you couldnt run the high line up there on 1 and 2 was pretty good you had 2 lines but you lost anything by going high on 3.. track was very dusty and slick like on marbles and short ... nice to see all the cars there but maybe more clay and a little wider for better racing.. alot of cars got tore up cosmetically tonight though.. i personally like the old track better as of now but a few weeks maybe it will be better ... jmo..

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by 01M on 07/18/10 at 11:36pm

i personally loved it. it was perfect for the hobby stock race. very close-quarters racing and made for a good show. it was a pretty dusty for the streeters and mods but what central valley track isnt. from a 1-10 i would give it a 8.5 and this is just the first race hopefully it only gets better.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by justrace on 07/19/10 at 12:00am

My favorite thing was that they kept the show moving. We did watch track prep twice but it wasn't bad and the next race was already waiting to go. And it didn't take forever to get the cars back in line on the yellows. For fans its great...for the drivers it's pretty tight alot of rubbin.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by MikeShepherd on 07/19/10 at 12:19am

I have agree they kept the show moving,that being said they should move the show back a hour or so,might help the track,and that sun in turn three was brutal.
It was cool to race with damitz,man enos has to get the hard charger award I think he started like 13th or so,good run happy to see you guys back,hard luck has to go to thatcher I thought I seen him way up front for a while then got caught up in some crap.
Racing was tight not alot of room,great for fans not so much for drivers,good first night though,with a little more work track could be real good

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by 07 on 07/19/10 at 8:20am

The track was nice and everyone seem to like it. The 07 broke a steering box.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by nobody_u_know on 07/19/10 at 8:48am

fan_of_4p wrote on 07/18/10 at 10:55pm:

What's up with that 67 SS never letting up on the 36k?

The 67 never letting up? Look at how the cars are parked on the wall, 67 was always infront of the 36k. That kid pushed them half way down the stretch up the wall and judging by how fast his tires were still spinning he was hoping to make it out to Childs Ave.... You could hear the 36k car laying his foot into it whole time... You also heard the 67 hit the gas a couple times, probly hoping it would get that kid off him.

Show was fun though. I too loved how they kept that program running fast. Track is going to need quite a bit, but I would bet Tom is probly out there already working it. Big difference after that farming session. He knocked down alot of the dust. Obviously still not a great track but much better then it started. That entrance needs work, bad. Its too hard to come on the track over there cause you cant see. Flag man so busy telling the car entering to stop, he forgets the throw a green till the last second.

Still great to see racing back at Merced, hopefully get some clay into that track and they can get it racey......

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by MikeShepherd on 07/19/10 at 9:29am

Dude I was just getting on here to say the same thing about the 67-36 crash,Ray don't know which race your were watching ,but I just seen the video and the 67 and the 4 got into it ,turning the 67 into the wall and along comes 36 wide open hits him stays in the throttle all the way down the wall. ????? Then Hannah is out in the pits throwing a tantrum pointing the finger at the 67 he needs to chill out.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by HookedUp25 on 07/19/10 at 9:32am

It was a tough weekend with the HEAT. Antioch was a dust bowl but did take some rubber with the 410's running. Glad to see everyone being honest but positive on this thread. I'm happy you guys having a track back up and running. First nights are always a bit difficult but good car count and many quality drivers from all classes.
Take Care,
Seano#7
Dirt Mod
Antioch

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by AW10 on 07/19/10 at 9:41am

I thought it was a decent show. Some things need improving, wont go into what, dont want anyone gettin butt hurt, good to see a short track reopened though.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by scottwhitley on 07/19/10 at 9:44am

thought the action made up for any 1st night mishaps. hope 4 bangers got squared away in the pits cause i think the guy that took the checkered was 3rd or 4th at best.all classes had tight racing 15 mod on a trailer would have made for better mod race but the outcome wasnt affected luckily.thought raulie might have made for a good battle in hobbies if 38 wasnt all over the place and just in the way. i give em a 9.short track kept it exciting. no lights and same old flagman and nobody got destroyed mabe a 10.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by crazy2020 on 07/19/10 at 1:15pm

Well i think the night went OK i should have worked the track before the streeters heats and maybe the top of the track before the Mod main. The track does still need some work on 2&4 and that will alll be fixed very soon As far as the crew i think they did a great job and ran a very tight and fast program.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by scottwhitley on 07/19/10 at 1:58pm

i agree tom the show ran smoother than ive ever seen on this 20 mile stretch of hwy even the down time for farming was well organized and it was needed. im stoked cant wait for the next race. are you running next week?

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by Ryan38 on 07/20/10 at 2:02pm

"thought raulie might have made for a good battle in hobbies if 38 wasnt all over the place and just in the way"...HMMMMM Well Scott, idk if u had ur eyes open or not..but im pretty sure 38 lead the first half of the main after multiple restarts..haha i guess anybody could have passed me then if they were so much faster huh? ..oh thats right i was leading. Hats off to the 55 and 01M they drove a good race and finished strong...maybe it looks different in the drivers seat but I was hangin with Shane until Raulie got between the two of us. Well no need to debate, Wheres your car at Scottie Boy..Come show everybody how its done. Or will You just get in the way?
Ryan Hart #38

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by MikeShepherd on 07/20/10 at 4:23pm

Dam Scott I think you just got called out!

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by 01M on 07/20/10 at 4:43pm

hey ryan we all had a good run. when its dry slick like that its hard for anyone to keep the car straight. i know my car stepped out from under me a few times coming out of turn 4 but luckily i was able to save it. i know towards the end of the race i slowed down a little because i had fluid pouring out over the right rear wheel from the axle seal so it was making it VERY hard to keep the car from spinning out. all i could do was pretect the bottom line. i know you were faster than me but i wasnt givin up any positions if i didnt have to lol. i denfinitely had fun racing with you, shane, and shannon and it was too bad larimers car broke because i know he would have been up in the mix too. i dont think im racin this weekend we are makin some changes to the car but i cant wait to race with all you guys again.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by 01M on 07/20/10 at 5:00pm

oh ya and i am definitely getting a tinted visor for the main i couldnt see sh!t in turn 3&4!!!!

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by Ryan38 on 07/20/10 at 5:11pm

ha no doubt it was reall slick comin outta 2. u ran good tho, 4 was a bit on the slippery side too. thought i was gunna get that tractor tire a couple times tryin to stick my nose down to the bottom

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by scottwhitley on 07/20/10 at 7:16pm

ryan u were in the way when u were leading and i believe raulie is politicing u were all over the place. try lifting,mabe have someone film the 01 or 14 compare that to the video of yourself and you will understand.your car is faster than the 01 no question only thing slowin that car down was ur lead foot.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by 09crew on 07/21/10 at 9:17am

crazy2020 wrote on 07/19/10 at 1:15pm:

tom i agree things went pretty good concidering some of the unknown problems.
not having the signal light was very un fortunate. the on track flagmen had to wait for the yellow by the main flagman which meant some racing back to the stripe when the push truck already had the lights flashing when the feild went down the th back stretch. some things like that and the sun being so heavily in the driver eyes when going into 3 during the main, were just things that came up and had to be dealt with. maybe next race if you are able to start at 5 the extra 30 min will help the vision of the racers. that is not a slam just yhe show did start a little behind sched. things flowwed very well and even the down time to work the track went very quick. and as far as the signal lamps what can i say, STUFF happens. great job to john,tom and all those that run the show. we know that you saw what all the racers saw and will work at improving what you have the ability and time to improve. :)

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fandreyracing on 07/21/10 at 1:44pm

I hope they put some more clay back into the track so the fans in the lower stands do not keep getting covered in dirt .That was the main thing I think people will have a problem with other than that I thought that the racing was very good and program ran relatively smooth. I am going to bring out my sport mod this weekend and give it a try hopefully there will be a good car count for this class . Also when I raced chow. last race in the sport mods the payout did increase some so hopefully the class keeps growing then it will get bigger payouts

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by Wally_Stewart on 07/21/10 at 7:54pm

Wasn't there so can't comment on track conditions, but will say it has to be tough with your first race starting in the afternoon in July. Sounds like they did a great job for first race of the season.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by 09crew on 07/23/10 at 6:25am

wet or dry is not the case. no dust is what is perferred.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by pit dude15 on 07/23/10 at 12:06pm

I like the track no matter how it is dusty,tacky,dry,just as long as Chuck G. doesnt have anything to do with it,I am happy.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by jimbob37 on 07/23/10 at 5:55pm

pit dude15 wrote on 07/23/10 at 12:06pm:

I like the track no matter how it is dusty,tacky,dry,just as long as Chuck G. doesnt have anything to do with it,I am happy.

You would mess up a good thread by mentioning that guy..... ;D

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by Ryan38 on 07/24/10 at 12:22pm

I was in the way while i was leading? Now theres some funny stuff!!!!

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by 01M on 07/25/10 at 2:09pm

more good news about the "NEW" merced speedway.

hobby stock payout is 90 to win, 60 for second, and im not sure what third is but i think 40 or 45, then from 4th on down gets 30.

everyone i talked to is very happy with this. way to go soares!

im leaving to the track just found out 92.5 the bear is gonna be there awesome radio station here in merced and great to see that soares is gettin people to the track to get the word out even had the spanish tv news univision there last week

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by short track fan on 07/25/10 at 2:31pm

what time do the front gates open and the cost for adults
dean Gray

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by scottwhitley on 07/25/10 at 3:28pm

i believe they open at 4 $10.00 adults

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by MikeShepherd on 07/26/10 at 8:54am

Well last weeks race only paid $300 to win with 16 cars,I was hoping it would be at least $500 with that car count.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by hogracer3d on 07/26/10 at 9:29am

MikeShepherd wrote on 07/26/10 at 8:54am:

Well last weeks race only paid $300 to win with 16 cars,I was hoping it would be at least $500 with that car count.

Man, cant travel for that.

In the past 3 or so years, SS purses went from $1000, to $700, to $500, now some in the $200-$300 range?

A team doesn't even stand a chance of recovering their expenses

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by that61ss on 07/26/10 at 9:57am

MikeShepherd wrote on 07/26/10 at 8:54am:

Well last weeks race only paid $300 to win with 16 cars,I was hoping it would be at least $500 with that car count.

hell you got paid already??? they mail it or did you pick it up?

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by MikeShepherd on 07/26/10 at 10:02am

I went by after the races and picked it up

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by pit dude15 on 07/26/10 at 12:18pm

hogracer3d wrote on 07/26/10 at 9:29am:

MikeShepherd wrote on 07/26/10 at 8:54am:

Well last weeks race only paid $300 to win with 16 cars,I was hoping it would be at least $500 with that car count.

Man, cant travel for that.

In the past 3 or so years, SS purses went from $1000, to $700, to $500, now some in the $200-$300 range?

A team doesn't even stand a chance of recovering their expenses

thats probably why you will not see 16 supers ther very often

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by mighty16x on 07/26/10 at 12:33pm

what did it pay back though? the win money isnt bringin cars these days, thats showing everywhere! ck just cancelled the hobby rumble in fear of car count. if it wasnt so much to enter, and payed more to the back, more of the guys in the back of the pack would show.
heard that merced payed the 2 sport mods $100ea for supporting the show. if word gets out, the rest will show. merced wont be able to pay like that very long, but they know they need to invest for a while. kudos merced!
the tracks all need to start thinking about that. if there is a full field, the fast guys are coming anyway. and if they choose to stay home, you still have a race with everyone else. jmo

Sart taking care of the little guy. and fields will start to grow.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by mighty16x on 07/26/10 at 12:39pm

you know cks race payed back good. my bad. but the cost to race keeps the guys that dont stand a chance away. it always has.
when i ran hobbys at bako in the early 90s, there were always 35-45 cars racing for 200 to win. when they had a big race that payed $500, there were only 20 cars. nothins changed.
why pay a whole lot more to run the same b-main for nothin?

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by justrace on 07/26/10 at 12:42pm

At least they gave the grandstands a buy one get one free for next weekend for coming to a low car count show. That shows that they are trying to get the fans and drivers to keep coming back. I hope it works Merced could be a great place to race.

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by scottwhitley on 07/26/10 at 5:01pm

yeah terrible car count but buy 1 get 1 free next week is a pretty cool gesture

Title: Re: The "New" Merced 7-18-10
Post by fandreyracing on 07/27/10 at 11:13am

yes there was a low car count but they did the best with what they had i was running the 17r sport mod i am still trying to figure out my car so i tried to stay out of the way as much as possible but still had fun i was happy to be told i was going to receive $100 for starting the race i hope more sport mods start coming out to both merced and chowchilla as i will continue to race both tracks and if car counts stay low they can put me with the modifieds any time it was fun even getting lapped lol