WoO Late Models at Winston & Hartford in 2011

[Stevensville Mike]

Now, before anyone goes berserk and points out the obvious, that this is not open wheel racing, please bear with me here.

The WoO Late Models are going to be coming to both Winston and Hartford in 2011, on 8/19 and 9/16 respectively.  From the article on www.whowon.com, this was also stated:

"A first-ever WoO LMS event at Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Mich., on Aug. 19. The race, which brings the tour to the Wolverine State for the first time since 2007, will be paired with another event on Aug. 20 that series officials will soon announce.

Hartford (Mich.) Motor Speedway will host the tour for the first time on Sept. 16 – the eve of the Pepsi Nationals on Sept. 17 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., which has become a popular stop on the series itinerary."

So, where on August 20th do you think?  It's a Saturday Night.  Crystal?  Thunderbird?  Butler?  Mt. Pleasant?  Maybe in Indiana?

Anyways, I think it's GREAT that both Winston & Hartford both landed dates for the WoO Late Models.  It's a BIG STEP up for both tracks these days.  I hope it all works out for them, and I hope Winston can find enough room to get all of the fans in (a promoter's dream).  Hartford has plenty of room.

So, why not WoO Sprints?  How much difference in purse money might there be?  The WoO Late Models are paying out $10,000-to-win at each on the aforementioned nights.  Hartford's owner is an big Late Model guy, so I see the logic there, but Winston has been very "open" to SOD running there over the past few years.  Just wondering....

http://www.whowon.com/sResults.asp?SanctionID=265&StoryID=301492

[Mudclodbob]

Oh man................I'm going berserk

[Stevensville Mike]

Remain calm, Bob.  Ice fishing season is right around the corner.   

[dirtracer]

I am shocked that Winston can fit enough fans in the stands to pay the purse. JMO

[Stevensville Mike]

I am shocked that Winston can fit enough fans in the stands to pay the purse. JMO

Exactly!  Makes you wonder what the price of the ticket will be if they have to limit the number of fans entering the track.   They do have the long hill walkway to stand on.

Either way, I hope they pull it off and it's a success for them.

[dirtracer74]

Winstons owner is a late model guy.

These events are curious though. The Lucas Oil Late Model Series is about the same purse, but a much bigger draw for the fans. The fans want to see Moyer, Bloomquist, Owens, Pearson, Jr, O'Neil, Cook and the likes. With the WoO, Josh Richards and Darrell Lanigan are the only two who ran the whole tour, and Likely the only two outlaws who will show at Winston.

That Aug 19-20 weekend is a bad weekend as well. The same weekend as the topless 100 in Batesville AR. All the names will be at that race. To me, it looks like a throw away race weekend for the WoO lates as the big boys will be down south with the TV coverage.

Could be a huge chance for some locals to score big!

I would guess the Saturday, Aug 20th date would be Butler. They have ran them in the past.

[Stevensville Mike]

Thanks for that insight, 74.  An interesting light has been shed.

[TommySalami]

I am shocked that Winston can fit enough fans in the stands to pay the purse. JMO

I've never been there...how many fans would you estimate can fit in there? 

Here in Ontario, Merrittville ran the WoO Late Models last year...A lot of people thought that place wouldn't hold all the fans, but it didn't draw as well as expected and in fact wasn't rebooked this year.

I'm wondering what they're going to do with all the fans at Brockville for the WoO Sprint show in July...That place is packed just for ESS, SOS, and Patriot shows.

[Stevensville Mike]

I've never been there...how many fans would you estimate can fit in there?  

If you sat shoulder to shoulder, maybe a tick over 1000 (and that might be a stretch)?  Anyone else with a guess?

[dirtracer]

My guess was 1500-2000. They are not large and really no room to expand on the front strech. They could add seats on the backstretch if they add protection for the fans. Wish Winston good luck on the show. They have put a lot of effort into turning the place around.

[racerguy6n]

I think I remember hearing between 800-1000.  They have said that the stands have to be full in order to cover a SOD show (with the support classes of course).  

I would imagine they'll bring in some temporary seating along the backstretch, plenty of room for it, some port a johns, and some fair type concessions.

[drdoug]

I am thinking with a show like this, they would have to use the same back pits that SOD uses. If they put in temp seating off the back streatch, it would be tough to access the seats seeing the entry to the track from the back pits is off turn 2. May be a tough time trying to regulate folks walking back and forth. At any rate i wish them the best of luck. If no SOD show that night, i just may be in tha stands myself.

[dirtracer74]

I think I remember hearing between 800-1000.  They have said that the stands have to be full in order to cover a SOD show (with the support classes of course).  

I would imagine they'll bring in some temporary seating along the backstretch, plenty of room for it, some port a johns, and some fair type concessions.

Wow, if they need to fill the stand to cover a SOD show, they do not stand a chance without alot of outside help.