What
happened after the SEF Small Engine Fuel 200
By
Tom Avenengo
October
10, 2011
I
had a chance to go up to
After
reading what was transpiring, I thought I’d copy and save what was being said –
some serious stuff, some kind of comical and also how some of the race fans
felt about what had or was transpiring. So, what follows is about 90% of what was
being said on the Dirt Track Digest/Adam Ross race report – less, in most
cases, the names of those that were posting, since some used “screen” names
while others, it seems were using their own.
At times a name will appear in some of the comments, but to take them
out might make things more confusing.
Also I did not correct any “typo” errors.
So,
here ya go – sit back relax and see what was being
said. Must tell ya
though, it is a little long.
“The
pace car just picked up the wrong car. The pace car just picked up the 7 of Laubach...he went to go around, and the official told him
he'd lose another lap if he passed the pace car. Laubach
could really get screwed up on this deal.
Everyone
is in the pits...
Friesen
gets to his stall first, and he's now off out of the pits..But stuck in traffic...let's see who gets out
first.
Friesen,
Decker, Coffey, Tremont.win the race off pit road.
115
- penalized for being too fast off pit road.
And
how do they know?
How
are they checking the pit road speeds?
The
crowd is booing like crazy that Laubach was penalized..but it's cuz the announcers don't know why he was penalized. He came
in under green at about 90 miles an hour
I'm
arguing with media members as i type this. Nobody
knows the rules.
There
was a pit road speed limit and Laubach blistered it.
Wow.
Media
members are arguing that there's no pit road speed limit under green, but that's
a little ludicrous.
The
pit road speed limit was announced as 35 miles per hour.
There
should be no pit road speed limit IMHO, BUT there is, green or yellow, hence
the need for the
how
do you come off a track under green and be doing 35 ?
You
slow down.
yea
read the rules and stick to them duh.media just like makeing waves
THere's heated discussions going on in here. LOL.
You
can't let cars run full speed with human beings standing around trying to do
their jobs.
Common
sense slow the f$&@ down in pit road
How
can u make a judgement call with no evidence?
Amen
They
are entering the cinder track from the back stretch are they not?
They
announced how they were doign it. Radar
guns and timing zones.
I have dumped fuel many times at syracuse.they need a speed limit
I
think Dirt needs to have these rules printed & handed out to the teams
BEFORE the race begins.
The
teams need to listen closer.
This
is my LAST Dirtcar sanctioned event. Between the McCreadie deal yesterday and what I just witnessed with the
7, it's clear that if you aren't a Dirt Regular your
screwed!
The
announcers didn't explain things right, and that's their fault. I feel badly.
I'm
goign to lay off comments for now, but the announcers
just created a HUGE problem for the officias with the
fans. Shame, really.
Adam
Ross: FINISH: Friesen, Decker, Coffey, Fuller, Ward, Phelps, Hebert, Tremont, M
Flach, Vitale, Haers,
Marshall, Perrotte, McCreadie,
Bresnahan, Godown, Swarthout, O'Brien, K Flach, Corellis, Scagliotta, Sears,
Currier, Heffner, Britten, Varin, Laubach,
McGannon, Sheppard, Roy, Murphy, D Johnson, Dunnn, Wight, Hearn, Hulsizer,
Steiner, Horton, ,R johnson, Bachetti,
Bellinger, Humes,, Storms, Brchmann, VanInwegen.
Thanks
Adam job great ya kept me in the race since Dirtvision couldn't get the job done. Congrats Stewie 2 in a row
Glad
Stew won,saved a temper
tantrum
we'll continue to cover post-race inspection, post-race celebrations, and
we'll continue updating the site.
Still waiting for the post race press conference to get stgarted.
We'll
have more as the evening progresses.
Apparently
Decker was FURIOUS about the gas n go. As speculated
the pace car really slowed him up.
The
press conference has come to an end. We'll be here for quite a while covering
post race inspection. We'll update if anything comes up!
Tech
and the Friesen crew are in a heated discussion regarding the fuel cell.
what dont they like about it adam
ok..Scott Jeffreys is the crew
chief for Billy Decker. He's in a heated discussino wtih tech.
The
top three finishers' fuel cells are sitting on pit road. The cell out of
Friesen's car is CLEARLY bulging in the center.
Scott
is pointing out that the rules clearly state the angles MUST be 90 degrees at
every side of the fuel cell box.
They're
taking measurements and debating right now. We'll keep you posted.
What
could be wrong wit fuel cell?
multiple tbings
been there done that lol
fuller could be the winner
Well
at least we don't have to worry about stewie
protesting on the track
there cell are built to max measurmwnt and bulged
out in center
Are
all 3 bulged out or just Stewie's?
Only
Stew's is bowed visually. They're measuring hte
volume now.
just got home from races...have we already covered what happened to Laubach? from where i was it looks like he was 100% screwed but Im willing to listen to what WRG says..lol
Laubach - in my opinoin - was wrong. He came onto
pit road too fast, and broke the speed limit. The officials called it right
away.
He
later pulled off hte race track. Allegedly his
feeling was he was so angry he was "a danger to himself and others"
according to one person on the scene.
The
announcers made that situation infinitely worse with misinformation.
Suspense
at the mile keep us updated Adam kinda
putting lil rain on our stewie
wins 2 in a row at the mile party
Wow!
So where do they go from here? Do you really think they would DQ the top two?
How was Stewie's cell last year after making it 130
plus laps?
Adam
Ross: oh I don't know what they'll do, but we're about to show you what we
know. If anyone has a rule book, I'd like to see the exact rule referenced that
explains "no bulging fuel cells".
with
all due respect adam...i
pitted as the jackman for decker
from 04-06 and in 05 when he one on the green flag pitstop
he was at least going as fast as laubach was
today...plus i cant find anything in the competitors
guide about the speed on pit road under green
Adam
Ross: But THIS year they told the drivers they were enforcing a pit road speed
limit, and they would be doign so with radar guns and
timed sections of pit road.
I
don't mind disagreeing. The pit road speed limit - to the explanation I was
given - was under green OR yellow.
It
was hot today and stews had a bad vent....thats
y it bulging
and
what was the exact speed that they "clocked him at"....?
The
offical radar said "too damn fast"..it was called IMMEDIATELY when he entered the pits.
Friesen even alluded to that in the post race interveiw.
Dirt
let's Williams go with tampered bolts might as well stay the course and let Stu
go to!
no
rulebook here dont tbey
have steel rectsngle gauge. that
fits over the cell or am i dreaminf
"too damn fast"..lol im sorry that made me chuckle.... from where i was he was no faster than anyone else who pitted under
the same conditions... i wouldve
loved to see if they would have called the same thing on TMac
Hard
to say - but the reason I'm in agreement with the officials is they called it
before he even came to a stop. They immediately recongnized
he was outside the intent of theri rule..It WILL give people
something to argue. I'm going back outside to see what's up
What's
the verdict Adam doesn't take that long to measure it and fill it
You
wouldn't believe how longi t's
taking!
They
painstakingly filled a number of jugs with VP fuel....then they filed the
cell....it was measured, but I don't know what it was measured to.
Then
they slowly put more fuel into an additional jug, adn
they put THAT fuel in.
From
our vantage poitn..which was
pretty good...the cell was able to take the additional fuel.
15.2
Fuel, Fuel Cells and Fuel System
A.)
All cars must have fuel cells that meet and/or exceed SFI 28.1/.2 and/or FT3
specifications and must be not be older than five (5) years from the date of
manufacture. The fuel cell must have a maximum capacity of 24.5
B.)
The maximum capacity of the fuel when measured empty and/or dry will be
measured in cubic inches utilizing the standard formula of length (minus
1⁄2”-inch) x width (minus 1⁄2”-inch) x depth (minus
1⁄2”-inch) will be 5,660 cubic inches.
C.)
The foam in the fuel cell must remain unaltered. A minimal cut in the foam will
be permitted in the shape of a square or a rectangle. The cut may be no more
than 1,000 square inches. The foam must retain the factory cut.
D.)
The fuel cell must be enclosed completely in a rectangle and/or square
container that is a minimum thickness of 20-gauge magnetic steel. An aluminum
container may be used as an option and must be a minimum of .060”-inch in
thickness.
E.)
The fuel cell and/or the container material around the fuel cell must not be
able to expand in any way. Tank panels that are bowed and/or bellied and/or
positioned to create additional capacity of the fuel cell will not be
permitted. Overs
dq or not?? anybody
know for friessen.
They're
stil fillling and
refilling.
just
got home from dirtweek myself didnt
the pace car keep decker from going any faster on pit
road when stewart pitted pace car lost it for him
there!
In
Decker's post race press conference...I believe his words were "Actually
it was a crock of shit"..he
feels the pace car held him up.
Glad
I stuck around captivating stuff The Mile hasn't changed since I last was there
in 201!!!
They
will pull a NASCAR. They keep the win, lose the money
and some points. Not paying the top 2 would give some WRG management some nice
bonus pay at years end.
randy - i agree; and they seemed to be able to rip
that SDS win away from bob mccriedie pretty fast when
his spoiler was an inch too high..lol
Happy
they have finally decided to pull cells after all these years...there are many
ways to cheat them when you know tech wont pull them.
if
you have ever dealt with Dini you would
lol actually adam id say its been about 38 min judging the timestamps of
your details..lol
plenty of past winners at
But
we weren't here in past years with video cameras and still shots. LOL
So What was Decker's crew chief arguing with tech about? Or do
you know?
Adam
are they looking at bully's and freisens
They're
looking at each of hte top three fuel cells.
Need
to be a lawyer now to figure this out...great coverage Adam and DTD crew
Unfortunately
- in my opinion - no law degree necessary.
Section
E of that rule: E.) The fuel cell and/or the container
material around the fuel cell must not be able to expand in any way. Tank
panels that are bowed and/or bellied and/or positioned to create additional
capacity of the fuel cell will not be permitted.
That's
a visual check, and I saw the cell and container as did everyone else looking
on.
It
violates the rules.
it
was a crock stupid idea to have 2 pace cars and lets have more sweepers on the
track every time a caution comes out what a joke I ddint
pay to watch caution laps
I'm
going back out. Back in a bit.
I
am half way home and still don't know who is gonna
win
If
they are found illegal, shouldn't they lose all of their race points just like
Danny Johnson did in
In
theory that's what would happen. It's not so much about the points as it is
about the money though.
I
like stew friesen but a his cell clear as day when
filled was bowed and he should be DQ'ed
who
cars apoints...its about bragging rights, records,
and 50,000 USD
agree adam...the pic is
worth 50k....its bowed
We
do this in Grand-Am. Tech fills the cell as full as it gets, then pumps it out
and measures what comes out. This is a 10 minute deal. WRG maked
it look like a monkey humping a football.
If they were going to attempt filling the cell
like this then they should have done it while it was still in the car Seems to
make more sense that way.
According
to the rules if the cell is bulging it's NFG.
the only time out of.our 3 wins the cell was questioned and taken out was 98 dini said dont bring it back
because it bulged but the rules didnt rwad like they do now
taking it out is the best way to test it.
Glad
you shared that. I would have thought the other way.
Shouldnt this be a pre tech item?
It
is. But what's teched in pre tech doesn't mean
something shouldn't be teched in post race.
Adam
what's for Thanksgiving dinner?
seriously not picking on canadians but what is your
thanksgiving for?
Don't even joke. I had two donuts 12 hours
ago, and that's all I've eaten today...I'm dyin here.
LOL
i
always figured you guys were just showing thanks for the hockey season starting
great everybody in thestands pretty much leave and
their might be a position change after all great !!
It's
simple enough to do with these cars. I pump my cell out every week. Electric
fuel pump, attach it to the fitting in the cell and start pumping. done deal
According to sources: Friesen's cell took more than 27 gallons.
Coffey's
cell took 24 gallons before it overflowed.
Great
job guys,thanks for sticking
around for updates
Time
for fuel cells to be handed out like nascar,so they can pick the winne
You
have to check it before and after or you would have teams blowing them up with
air to get them to expand like Nascar
teams used to do
The
metal used in the box around Friesen's cell is visibly thinner than the metal
used in Coffey and Decker's cells.
mine is a real tight fit i bet i could get more in with it removed
All
they used to measure was hight and width of back
panel...and depth of top panel...."asuming"
it was actually rectangular.....the front of the cell could have been 2 inches
larger both in width and height...and still looked rectangular when it was far
from it....the only way to test it and measure it correctly is to take it out.
Right...as
soon as it's visualy bowed the inspection can end
how
much are you allowed??
The
rule states 24.5 gallons maximum.
my
question what's taking so long the rule is black and white DQ ste
Two
words: Dini.
thats one word but its tru and funny
now
we know how he went 131 laps last year
several ways to hold more fuel run a extra fuel filter noo
guts alittle more hose. cut
the foam down inside all thos r ways to
"cheat" .but 27 vs 24thats a huge
mistake
They
will ;et him keep the win, and WRG will fine him the
money won
If
he's illegal that's what should happen. That's my opinion.
the
loose strap trick works great as well..allows the top
to lift off the can and the cell to expand when packed full...then goes back
down when the fuel burns off...can esily get 3 -4
gallons extra in that way
just guessing but probably not a mistake
Sources
tell us that Decker's cell also took just 24 gallons.
Glad
we don't have worry bout this in our 30 lap sportsman races
For
those interested - I just spoke with Joe Skotnicki
the race director - the teams were told the pit road speed limit was in effect
under green AND yellow.
Rick
Laubach was in the wrong.
Was
Decker's fuel cell legal?
Yes.
We were just told that Decker and Coffey's cells took 24.5 gallons to be
precise.
and
WRG will pocket the money and have a bigger Christmas party.
if
dirt sets the rules what is the problem with the drivers abiding by them?
u
do what u gotta do but keep it some what real...lose
strap trick easy fix do what nascar does tourque the bolt and put a seal. very
simple fix....in the famoue wrods
of cole trickle watch espn
...u would be suprise how much u can learn
will they include this when they show in on speed or just show the
winner?
Hard
to say! The winner of this race is and was Stewart Friesen.
What
happens next will determine penaties, fines, etc.
It
will be just like Nascar.. keep win and fine him
Jj
No but I'm sure the rule exists anyways
also shame on dirt if they missed that much in pre inspection. but they could have rigged it after pre
In
pre inspection the cell would have been fine. It would only bow once it's
filled with a quick fill.
Is
Stew a wrg dirt member or an outlaw like laubach?
Little of both.
how
much did stus
Stew's
held 27 to 27 1/2 depending on what report you listen to.
My
opinion they don't like Stewie and are using
everything in the book, because Decker won all weekend and didn't win the big
one. Stewie is a great guy!!!! This is totally Nascar crap.
Adam
Ross: Stewie IS a great guy. And
personable and young and appealing.
Any
sanctioning body woudl welcome him. I do'nt see where this is political. Just simple rule enforcement..and that's where DIRT
has traditionally lacked.
Tech
is now complete. A meeting is being held in the event office.
We'll
let you know as soon as we haer!
If
it's Nascar crap then Stew
will get the win and be fined Denise
Decker
is far from a dirt member, and he almost had a clean sweep of the weekend...I
think we should put the conspiracy theories to rest
The
rules are the rules, its not personal.
dosnt the money taken away from dq'ed cars go into the tech fund? if
so maybe dini will finally retire!!!!
We'll
find out where it goes. I wouldn't be too disappointed if he retired.
Adam...the
tank probably wouldnt just bow from filling unless
the box was made from tinfoil...it was either like that prerace...or filled
with air to bow it.
It
appears quite thin, Dave.
i agree with u push when u can hell the driver
may not even know his cell was cheated . so dont blame him unless he knew.
if
this was nascar our ears would be bleeding with DW
and kenny wallace...dont insult Adam like that!
Id
still vote air
not
that I have ever done it...:)
Come
on dirt do the right thing
stop with the conspiracy theories. I think they would like to screw decker more than stew because john wight
is at direct opposite ends than wrg is.
officials are people to they can make mistakes unfortunately its up to dirt not
us
I
love the comments though.
what if the breather malfunctioned and with today being a hot day could it
expand?
It
would be a mistake to allow a clear black/white rule go
unpunished in my eyes.
doubt they'll take the win now that there has been a presser and its gone
out to news outlets. thanks for the hard work
Adam
They
can't take the win because of tv
and media coverage.
Damned
if they Do or Don't
You
have to be consistent with what you have been doing all year..Were people DQ'd or
fined??
Why
didnt Tobias start the race as was published earlier today ?
He
would have had to attempt to qualify.
no
way.
an
alternative is they could take deckers car and film
victory lane again tomorrow :P
What
does tv and media have to do
with being fair?
i agree kari!
It's
just the process...happens everywhere.
stew should get last place money
just on wind tunnel a minute ago...
What
was on Wind Tunnel I am watching it, I heard nothing.
Susice: Dave Despain
threw a shout out to stewie for winning again...it
was at the begining when they were showing highlights
from weekend
Cheating
or not, DIRT needs to let the win stand and send him home with the money. If
the sportsman winner keeps the win and money with an illegal engine, Stewie should keep the win and money with an illegal fuel
cell.
you
can probably guarentee that next years tech line will
just take even longer when they make everyone pull deck lids and measure and
inspect all the cells haha..maybe
pre tech can start on monday!
just put a disclaimer or something up after the broadcast that Stew cheated
his fellow competitors and was DQed. it's that simple
The
thing with tv and media is
this- people went to a race and a winner was crowned. anything
that happens after that is just a financial thing. NASCAR has done this for
decades
Waiting for the meeting to come out.
was
deckers cell legal???
to
our knowledge it was.
If
Joe Marotta said it......then there's a 50/50 chance
it had something to do with the race being run.
But
less of a chance of being accurate..I"m
sorry.but he didn't have a stellar week.
you
shoulda heard him explain the laubach
thing...crowd went nuts
so
whats the punsihment
No
punishment. The sportsman deal was swept under the rug, if DIRT wants to remain
consistent, this needs to be swept under too.. anything else is selective enforcement of the rules
That's
cuz he was entirely mistaken with the Laubach thing. It's hard enough to be an official let alone
when the announcer throws you under the bus..and i know..I'm
an announcer and I've thrown announcers under the bus.
what did happen with the sportsman winner...did he bet dq'ed?
The
press release showed no infractions inthe sportsman
race.
thanks for finding that out
80%
chance that what came out of his mouth were lap times
the people went nuts
when they had 1 extra lap to get the sweeper ofhe track..lol
Stewie just posted a picture of the check and trophy in his motorhome and the caption reads take that
THis just in from Dini- Stew dont
get comfy with our trophy and check just yet.
I'm
going to hang out outside the production office.
how
long is the meeting adam?
Longer than it should be.
that is the same car and cell from last year it past tech lst year
With
the 'alleged' oversize cell of 2.5 gallons, how many laps did Stewish go on bulgy tank
It
may or may not have affected the outcome, but it's a rule in black and white.
All
the pit stop did was force every team to have to come down pit road slowly, and
then fan out five wide and nearly run over each other...it was still fuel
mileage.
the
officials are drawing straws to who tells Stu he's illegal.
Guys,
the winner of the most prestigious dirt race of the year was just found
illegal. On top of that, theyve fronted 50,000 for
the winner of this prestigious race. I think its
understandable to work this one out
The
mandatory pit stop was total bs,
ruined the race imo
All
of this drama and the fans are gone, the stories been written and the winner
declared. Done. If you want this type of post race
rules enforcement, then don't do victory lane until your
done with tech. I'm sure the understanding fans will hang out to the bitter
end.
yea
i had that diamond ring apprssed
a few weeks ago $540 they said it was worth $7.500 lol
The
officials are still in the meeting....
What
the heck... is this a case of tech on Sunday, release the penalties on Tuesday?
wrg will probably keep the 1st
place check and pay decker for 2nd place
Should
be given in cash the day of the race..
we
all had to pay in cash or cc before we could get into the event..
that cell would have to be way bigger than normal to hold that much more i could see maybe an extra half gallon not 2.5
does stewey have 2 hang around or can he pack up
and leave?
Stew
isn't around the building that i can see.
remember Adam..you have to
stay put till we all get the official statement..lol
I'm
staying put.
Victory
lane = Pull the top 5 to the front strech after the
race and announce "one of these drivers will be the winner, stay
tuned"
what ever happens gotta give credit to guys like
m flach, vitale, perrotte, swarthout, o'brien, and k flach on thier finishes at the moody mile
if
this was nascar and you cheat you get dq'ed. if dirt doesn't start
enforce the rules drivers will pee on them and show no respect. This isn't a
$2000 to win race. There is big money on the line and its
not fair to the competitors that abide by the rules. If he got caught cheating
now you wonder how many other times he has done it. All these profilic winners get excused for cheaters because of their
name and its time its stop and examples are set
adam u going to eatern states or agerstown ?
No,
but I'll be in
this is adown right shame after a 200 lap race
I
said last year they should have pulled and filled the tanks
Just
like our local track, cheat and get away with it.
on
the phone with john wight telling him the will dq stew if his tracks join dirtcar
next year
was
a great show at the point last night cept for Stewie's temper tantrum
if
some no name won it i bet they would dq him
If
he gets away with this I'm totally done with DIRT
word from
i
lose respect for all dirt racing if no dq. Everyone
should of been allowed a bulging tank. If t mac had one just think about the finish he might of had.
I'm
lucky.. my hometrack will never be Dirtcar
its
getting ridiculous....and the announcers were totally clueless.....don't they
have spotters to help them out
spotters were drunk like most of the fans
glasses would be a good start..lol
how
long has the meeting been going on now?
too long guest
whoever ran out of gas should protest that they should of ran the same bulging
tank. He should also be suspended from ESW if found guilty
Anything
yet adam
Adam
Ross: I can't say waht happened in the meeting..I don't know yet..but chairs stsarted flying and officials ran to the room. To my knowledge
in the room were Joe Skotnicki, Stewart Friesen, and
Matt Hearn.
awesome
We
were all waiting outside and joking and laughing...there was no yelling...there
was just the sound of objects hitting the walls. People ran to the
room...Stewart and Matt left..the
noise stopped..that's what I
know for now. No more comments for the time being..
Stewart
Friesen just delivered a broken trophy to the hauler of Billy Decker. I
literally ran after him wtih Matt Hearn telling me to
give him space..just wanted
some reaction..to knwo what happened..
"Get
outta here Adam"...I can certainly understand
that...
Quote
from Friesen - "The win is ours. That's all that matters."
We
still don't know the exact result, but we'll be here until weknow.
I
hope everyone understands that I stopped the comments.
We'll
still show thenews from here.
It's
heated in the infield building right now.
vic Coffey is HEATEDLY
discussing the situation. He's basically saying that they're lucky they won
last year. ?They sould.n't
be that upset about this year.
Vic
is saying "if I was in your position I'd be mad, but how do you not know
what was wrong"
This
is gonna be interesting
Friesen
gets $25,000 for his win. He was basically penalized half.
Coffey
is in a dispute with Matt Hearn. Matt is Bobby's son and Friesen's crew chief.
He
also had heated words with Friesen's father.
Stewart
Friesen wins SEF 200...during postrace inspection
violation found in fueling system, car was fined $25,000. [via
Twitter]
Bullshit
Dirt
is a joke. Basically dirt is saying go ahead and cheat you still get half the
money
As
much as I appreciate the comments...I'm continuing to hold off on comments..wish i
knew why doctor27j's are still coming through. lol If you want to discuss further, feel free to
visit our Facebook page or our forum!
We'll
continue to cover post-raceinspection and meetings,
and they're still ongoing.
And
I stilll have no dinner!
It's
all good, Doctor..just not
sure why or how...
The
sherriff has now told evereyone to vacate...but we're working media.
We've
been told the penalty goes intot he points fund.
HOWEVER>..we don't know if that helps pay the pionts
fun..or if it gets ADDED to
the points fun.
I
haven't logged out yet since I left the track not sure if that has anything to
do with it
It
appears that things are done for the night.
Friesen
was basically fined $25,000.
I'm
headed to the campground to enjoy the rest of the night. It's been a blast, and
it's time to have a beer or ten. Sunday October 9, 2011 9:40
Turn
out the lights. The party's over (or is it just beginning?)
Let's
talk about it on the forum and on Facebook!”
So
ended the nights activities on the Dirt Track
Digest/Adam Ross race report and follow-up.
There’s a lot more said on the DTD’s forum
- http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/
some things that are VERY interesting.
My comments, and thoughts, on the whole deal will be in my weekly
column, due out on Thursday.
As
usual, I can always be reached, via e-mail, at:
ygordad@yahoo.com