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Chronicle #5 The CASA Chronicles
(No. 5)
Keeping up with the
California Asphalt Sprintcar Association
By Glenn Hopper
January 5, 2004
San Jose, CA. In this chapter of the CASA Chronicles, I sat down
for a session of questions and answers with CASA president,
Scott Clough. The following Q and A
will shed some light on the upcoming 2004 season for the fast
growing asphalt sprint car club.
Q1. Producing a successful inaugural
campaign with such short preparation times, questions of car count,
and a track that had not experienced open wheel racing in a long
time must have been a huge challenge. What were the most gratifying
things to come out of the 2003 season at Altamont Raceway Park?
A1. That's easy. Establishing a
partnership with Altamont management. And getting some race
sponsors, Kenko Utility Supply and Acme and Sons. We had 27
different drivers compete in our series and had the largest number
of cars in any division at the track on a few occasions. We also
had great support from our core group of drivers, drivers who
attended every race. And we had such positive feedback from
everyone who saw us race. You know, we had several non-stop
features, lots of good close competition, and our cars were fast.
We had several drivers who qualified with average speeds of over
100 miles per hour and I saw some standing ovations from the fans
who really enjoyed our product on the track.
Q2. Given the collective successes,
what was the most frustrating aspect to 2003?
A2. We did have a few growing pains
but most were fixed as the season went on. Those weren't really
frustrations, just, growing pains. We had a few areas we needed to
be better prepared for like promoting ourselves and defining more
organizational situations. We focused so much on actually making
the races happen and being sure the fans and track management got
their money's worth that we had little time to address growth.
Remember, all the people in our club are active racers- car owners,
drivers and crews. We didn't really have any CASA dedicated
officials who
weren't also competitors. Myself included. So we did tax ourselves
pretty hard.
Q3. That said, are there any major
changes from last year?
A3. Yes and no. Yes, in that we have
solidified some things from an organizational standpoint. While I
felt last year was certainly a success, we needed to make things
less club-like and more business-like, more official. We are filing
incorporation papers for the club and will be taking a more
business-like approach. We needed to address a few business issues.
Historically, most successful racing associations have had strong
business models that enable them to last. We're in this long-term.
And we're better prepared this year.
Q4. How so?
A4. Our structure and responsibilities
are more clearly defined. At our board meeting this winter we
established our organizational structure. The Executive Board
consists of myself as President and
CEO. I'll still have primarily the same duties; working with track
management, coordinating
sponsorships and the like. Carla McCreary will continue as
Secretary/Treasurer and CFO. She'll
continue to handle the books, prize money payouts and keep all
official documentation. Mike McCreary is again the Vice President.
His primary duty is to provide his expertise and experience in all
competition matters from race formats, basic rules, and car
construction and safety issues. Speaking of which, we now have now
defined the officers of the club. Ronnie LaManna will be our Chief
Steward/Tech man. Ronnie's been a sprint car crew chief, a
fabricator, and he has lots of experience around these things.
Because we're a growing club, we anticipate him helping competitors
get acclimated and comfortable and being more supportive rather
than an enforcer.
Don't get me wrong, he will make sure the playing field is level,
but like every CASA member he will
also make everyone feel welcome. He will also have at least one
other helper.
Q5. So who are the other officers and
what will they be doing?
A5. The Executive Board, myself, Mike
and Carla, will be supported by our new Chief Steward, and our
legal counsel, Tim Hamilton, who will oversee our incorporation
process and keep us aware of all the legal things we need to attend
to. And you, you Mr. Hopper will continue to expand your duties as
Director of Publicity and Media Relations, right? You'll cover the
races and series for print and associated websites, coordinate
photographers, handle press releases and keep expanding CASA's
exposure, right?
Q6. Of course. Hey wait a minute. I'm
asking the questions here. (LOL) . Anyone else?
A6. Yes. We want to open a
member-elected position to the board. At our upcoming general
membership meeting, the membership will nominate and elect someone
who will be a sort of driver-owner-member representative, someone
who will act as a liaison for all the competitors. This is
important for a new and growing organization. At this point in our
development we need to retain continuity in our upper management
and still have solid input from the members. We incorporated for a
lot of business reasons but want to maintain a member-driven club
atmosphere. The elected
Member-at-Large will be responsible for helping maintain that
atmosphere. We anticipate the membership will elect someone who has
the confidence of everyone involved.
Q7. Earlier, you said yes and no to
the question of major changes for this year. What won't be
changing?
A7. All the good stuff! We still have
Altamont as our home track even though we will have at least two
travel races at other tracks on nights when Altamont is idle. We
want to venture out a little bit, but we will still maintain
Altamont as our base. What won't change is our commitment to put
forth the best racing possible- for the fans, sponsors, the track
and our members. Even though we have defined our structure more, we
intend to keep our informal, relaxed feel at the track. We're
hard-nosed competitors. We race hard. But we want to continue the
camaraderie we experienced
last year, with guys pitching in to help one another and keeping
the good of the club in mind. We all
worked well together last year and I expect that to continue. Like
I said, we race hard but we all have a good time. If we're not
having fun, we're doing it wrong. And we have our core group of
drivers returning and expect several more to support us this year.
That's unchanged. We're still growing. My phone still rings every
day.
Q8. That brings me to my next
question, growth. What is being done to expand the series?
A8. First, we have several new teams
who have committed to running CASA. Some new guys have bought
pavement cars and some are building brand new cars. And we have
many who ran a limited schedule with us last year that are
expecting to run with us more in 2004. Guys who ran limited
schedules with us last year all said that they had a great time
running our races and really enjoyed racing in a laid-back, relaxed
atmosphere. They all wished they could run with us more but many of
them had established commitments. So we're expecting several new,
dedicated CASA racers.
Second, our schedule will include a few more races than last year.
And we will have a few travel dates. Last year we got several
inquiries and invitations to run at other tracks, especially after
people saw the product, but we had to pass. We had to establish
ourselves to our own satisfaction before thinking of expansion.
That said- we want to keep all our options open for the future so
we're going to run a few travel dates under controlled conditions.
Q9. Controlled conditions?
Q9. Yes. We want to be sure we have
complete support from the membership so we can put on the kind of
show that will make sure we're invited back again. We don't want to
just have a track schedule us on their calendar and sanction a
race. We're working hard to form partnerships with all tracks, like
we're doing at Altamont, so we can build for the future.
Q10. The future. Okay, last question-
for now. Give us a glimpse into CASA's future. What do you expect
as we approach opening day, and what do you expect at seasons-end?
A10. Hey, that's two questions. (LOL)
Well the schedule will be finalized very soon, and I hope to
announce some series sponsors in the very near future. We have
several things pending already, and that information will be
released as it happens- and before opening day. I expect by the
end of the season we will have three track promoters that want us
to run with them again and that others will be calling to book
shows. We should average better than 20 cars a night and we will
have expanded our fan base accordingly. When we started this club
it was with a long-term future in
mind. We haven't changed that philosophy. We hope to grow and
develop as a series and use each season as a building block. I said
all last year that we were racing for more than that night's race;
we were racing for next year. That's still true. This year will
build on last year and build for 2005 and beyond.
Chronicle #6
The CASA Chronicles (No. 6)
Keeping up with the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association
By Glenn Hopper
January 31, 2004
Tracy, CA. The California Asphalt
Sprintcar Association held their 2004 pre-season general membership
meeting Saturday, January 31 at the Tracy Holiday Inn to review
last year’s inaugural season and preview the upcoming CASA racing
program. President and CEO Scott Clough formally introduced the
Executive Board and the Board of Directors to the large CASA
contingent assembled. Clough brought the new members up to speed
regarding CASA’s recent history and unveiled the latest information
regarding the second-year racing club.
Clough gave a brief overview of
how and why CASA is being incorporated in accordance with its
business plan and as a means to insure the long-term success of the
business. “CASA’s philosophy has not changed,” said Clough. Under
the articles of incorporation, the club will still be run for the
benefit of all members and in partnership with all CASA sanctioned
racetracks. All club expenses and books are open to members, and
all club proceeds are to be absorbed back into the club via point
funds and/or supplementing race purses. Both the Executive and
Directors Boards are deferring any salary or income in an effort to
insure the financial viability of CASA during its early efforts.
Publicity and Media Relations
Director Glenn Hopper reviewed plans to work with sanctioned tracks
to jointly promote CASA races at those venues. Members were asked
to assist in ways from displaying their cars at promotional events
to distributing promotional materials throughout the racetrack’s
region. Hopper also gave an overview of the sponsorship program
involving the fantasy racing game VirtualThunder.com.
Clough then covered several
issues from series sponsorship status, CASA’s partnership with
Altamont, and the addition of two travel dates, one each at Shasta
Speedway and Carson City’s Champion Motor Speedway. It was agreed
that with the latest revision to the schedule, CASA races stand as
scheduled with the three CASA sanctioned tracks.
Clough then presented the
guaranteed purse structure members had requested. He stressed that
it was contingent on a 20-car count at each race and that the
members needed to be aware of that contingency. “Members all told
me if we could pay a thousand to win and make it guaranteed, we
would get the car counts we need. Well, I got the thousand to win,
we raised starting pay fifty percent, and it’s guaranteed. Now I
need you guys to step up and support the deal with a minimum of 20
cars and we also get a guaranteed $250 per car added to the purse
for each car over twenty. If not, we revert back to the same deal
as last year.” All attendees were given a packet of information
that included a pay list from 2003, the guaranteed pay schedule for
2004, and a current 2004 schedule.
Clough then held an open forum to
discuss any issues members presented including Hoosier versus
American Racer tires, use of radios, and potential procedural
changes in the Altamont program which will involve car push-off
procedure and a possible move to transponder-based qualifying and
scoring. Clough also noted major improvements planned for Altamont
such as enclosing the main grandstands and assigned and improved
pit stalls. Members freely discussed and confirmed that CASA should
stay the course and do it’s own thing in the best interest of
California-based pavement racers. All input was received and final
decisions will be made at the next board meeting.
Clough then accepted nominations
for the member elected Director-at-Large position to represent the
general membership at all board meetings. In the end, new CASA car
owner Ric Carr was chosen by membership to serve in this capacity
for the 2004 season.
Most in attendance filled out
2004 membership applications and reserved their CASA car numbers.
The final preseason CASA board
meeting will be held before the Altamont home opening race on the
20th of March and members will be given final rules as soon as
printed versions are available. All are encouraged to visit
www.casaracing.com for the latest California Asphalt Sprintcar
Association information.
Chronicle #7
The CASA Chronicles
(No. 7)
Keeping up with the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association
By Glenn Hopper
May 5, 2004
San Jose, CA. The
California Asphalt Sprintcar Association has raced three of its 18
scheduled events for 2004 and is beginning to realize the fruits of
their labor. A great deal of hard work by management and member
racers has brought the car count up to, while still modest, record
numbers. From its inception in November, 2002, CASA knew that
producing a successful asphalt sprint car series, in both uncertain
economic times and within the generally difficult California racing
environment, would be a huge undertaking. Fortunately, Altamont
Motorsports Park management saw the potential in the new club and
provided the opportunity for CASA to begin operations.
While this is officially CASA’s second season, there have been only
12 CASA races to date. In that time, (approximately one-half of a
season for a weekly race schedule), 34 different racecar drivers
have competed with CASA, and five different drivers have won
feature events. In CASA’s short 12-race history, it has doubled its
core group of drivers, and there are still several CASA cars
awaiting completion. CASA has produced the largest field of cars
competing at Altamont on several occasions, and is expecting to
average over 20 cars per race as the season progresses. CASA now
holds the all-time Altamont sprint car qualifying track record, has
13 members in its 100 MPH Average Speed Club, and has run five of
their 12 feature events without a caution flag.
While not without growing pains, CASA has improved in nearly every
capacity as professional racing organization; enough so that they
have been invited to Carson City’s Champion Speedway and Shasta
Raceway Park for both stand-alone programs and special open wheel
shows. As more and more people recognize CASA as a viable,
professional race organization, CASA expects to continue to build
strength and market share.
Recently, sports writers and race columnists have taken notice of
CASA’s activities and are projecting possible scenarios where CASA
could continue to develop its successful race program, offering new
venues where they would like to see CASA compete. Negotiations for
2005 are already underway and many of those tracks, as well as
others, have been in contact with CASA President/CEO Scott Clough,
about booking dates for the future.
Yet CASA has, in no way, completed its mission. There is always a
great deal of work to be done to both maintain and grow an
organization, however, CASA looks to be right on track.
Chronicle #8
The CASA Chronicles
(No. 8)
Keeping up with the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association
By Glenn Hopper
May 16, 2004
San Jose, CA. I realized when I began this column that it was going
to be unique. If not in it’s content, then certainly in its
construction. I also am aware that unlike most columns, I never
formally introduced myself. I’d like to take that opportunity now.
My name is Glenn Hopper.
In most previous installments of this column, I have written the
content from a third-person perspective – as an observer rather
than the participant that I am. In my conversations with “CASA
Chronicles” readers I have found only a few who made the connection
that the name on the byline is also a CASA competitor and club
director. I was never quite sure what direction I wanted this
column to take but I was very sure which directions I wished to
avoid. Originally it was most important to both myself, and the
CASA club, to make sure we released CASA-specific coverage and
information. As is the case at nearly every track these days, the
racing bill has several divisions competing at the same track on
the same night. It became obvious to me that if CASA was to
prosper, we needed to present CASA information on a stand-alone
basis. Since we were brand new, I thought a brief history of how
CASA came to be would be a logical place to begin. And thus, the
“CASA Chronicles” was born.
Initially I hoped to give CASA accounts as anonymously as possible.
I didn’t want the primary focus of my column to be about me, or my
“exploits” or even, if those who know me can believe, my many
opinions. The column was never to be rumor-based or inflammatory.
While there is an intentional promotional slant to “CASA
Chronicles”, I have no intention of using the column to promote any
one individual, myself included. Or more accurately, myself
especially.
Towards the end of last season I was tasked with writing our race
stories, which provided an even greater challenge. I believe that
writing a quality race story is within my skill set but I do have
some major obstacles to writing such a story, not the least of
which is the fact I’m kind of busy racing out there! I’m certainly
close to the action, running at over a hundred miles an hour,
traffic swirling all around and trying my best to win, however, I’m
not really in a good position to note that “Racer X” passed “Racer
Z” on lap whatever.
Therefore, I write the stories based on my own limited
observations, conversations with drivers involved, and the help of
some trusted observers. I glean what I can from scoring but I
prefer to present the feel and flavor of the race rather than a
lap-by-lap account or analysis. So to those of you who may have
noted a lack of specific detail, I’d like you to understand it’s
not my intention to delete or ignore those specifics, but I can
only call ‘em as I almost see ‘em!
Another obstacle which compounds the problem of trying to be as
fair and as accurate as possible, what should I write if I should
do something noteworthy myself - such as win a race? That is after
all the primary reason I go to the racetrack - to win the race. I
decided that the only reasonable thing to do was be as honest as
possible to everyone involved. That said; my intention is to give
full credit where credit is due, regardless of the players
involved.
I hope this column has provided some insight to the California
Asphalt Sprintcar Association during both the club’s and my own
journalistic infancy. I hope to keep writing this column exhibiting
my best of intentions even though the format may vary. I’d like to
use whatever method needed to present the story behind CASA and
hope readers understand. And who knows, maybe some day soon, I’ll
get to some of those many opinions I have to share…
Chronicle # 9
The CASA Chronicles
(No. 9)
Keeping up with the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association
By Glenn Hopper
June 22, 2004
San Jose, CA. As the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association’s
second season nears the halfway mark, some remarkable things have
happened thus far. First of all, the racing has been outstanding.
But most notable is the fact that after a nine-race season last
year, we had 27 car/driver combinations on our roster. This year,
after only eight races, we have 37 drivers who have scored points
with CASA - ten more drivers, in fewer events. On many nights CASA
has had the largest contingent of cars competing at Altamont.
Altamont management is very pleased that with each race we have
added at least one, sometimes more, new cars to our count. On more
than one occasion, CASA has had the largest car count of any
pavement sprint car series competing in the western US and/or
California.
CASA’s first venture to Carson City, Nevada on Memorial Day
weekend, and the excitement resulting from that fantastic 100-lap
race, has prompted several new teams to contact CASA offices to
learn more about running CASA shows. We have received inquiries
from other Nevada racers, extreme Northern California teams,
Washington, Oregon, Salt Lake City, Utah competitors and others who
have heard good things regarding CASA events. While CASA is still
expecting to keep travel to a minimum, CASA shows are becoming an
attractive option to many teams.
As CASA continues to grow, provisions are already in place to
ensure those competing in CASA events will receive purse money
worthy of making a commitment to running with CASA. The issue is
that all these provisions are based on car count. Twenty cars is
our magic number. All track promoters ask of CASA, is to bring
enough cars to the track each race to ensure their fans of a full
and complete sprint car show. With 20 cars they guarantee all prize
money and pay bonus money for each car over twenty. Promoters are
not interested in having the same small handfuls of cars running
multiple races in order to fill out their program for the fans. And
CASA is working hard to show these promoters what can be done when
a dedicated group of racers have a common goal.
However, towards that 20-car issue, it is apparent that the core
group of CASA racers is carrying an excess of the load. Those most
committed to the CASA cause are giving their all to the dream of
quality, professional, sprint car racing with reasonable travel
expectations and expenses. This commitment includes working as
partners with track promoters to find common ground solutions to
enable pavement sprint car growth in the region. It takes a
tremendous amount of work, for anyone, to start a series from
scratch and make it into something all can be proud of. That the
“anyone’s” involved in CASA happen to all be car owners, requiring
the same level of commitment to running a competitive car, and all
the resultant hard work and expense required, on top of their CASA
duties, proves just how committed they are.
The core group of dedicated CASA racers is always excited to see
new cars and faces in the pits. Obviously, more cars equals better
health of the series. Specifically, more CASA cars equals higher
purses for all sprint car competitors that night. As a new and
growing series, CASA has created a unique formula for success.
Simply put, the racers control their own purse based on their own,
individual level of commitment. Those individuals who commit
collectively can reap the benefits of higher purses. Those who
leave their cars at home waiting to see what happens with CASA also
have a direct impact on the purses they want to see paid; a
negative impact. No race promoter has put a cap on the number of
CASA cars it wishes to see compete. They all respect what we are
trying to accomplish. They are equally committed to seeing this
series grow and actually anticipate paying the kind of purse money
racers want to be paid. But none of them are going to pay top
dollar until the pits are full of sprint cars.
While CASA is proud to have had more cars compete in our second
year, there is a concern that many of our occasional competitors do
not yet grasp the car count issue at hand. We have heard these
teams express their satisfaction with running CASA races, and how
they enjoyed the racing. We have seen teams pleased with the
quality of our cars and drivers. They like the option of having
CASA races on their schedule. Yet we have seen some of those same
teams, skip non-conflicting races in which they could have run CASA
races. Admittedly, some are reluctant to race for a purse less than
they deem worthy. While that position in understandable, it is also
near-sighted. We all want higher purses, everyone does. And we know
exactly how to get them - we earn them. We earn them by showing a
sincere commitment to pavement sprint car racing in the region. No
one owes us anything. We show up, prepared the best we can and we
race the same way. We understand we can’t put the cart before the
horse. We are a new organization, without a fifty-plus year history
to fall back on. It will continue to take hard work and dedication
to build CASA. Car count is the most important component in
demonstrating that dedication. Does anyone truly think other
successful racing organizations were built otherwise?
Chronicle #10
The CASA Chronicles
(No. 10)
Keeping up with the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association
By Glenn Hopper
July 12, 2004
San Jose, CA. As the California Asphalt Sprintcar Association looks
to expand and promote pavement sprint car racing in the Northern
California region over the coming years, it is apparent that CASA
will now have to entertain some of the many track promoters who
have contacted CASA about booking future dates.
When CASA was founded not quite two years ago, it was necessary to
establish CASA as a new racing organization by building car counts
and relationships with Altamont Motorsports Park. Without
Altamont’s help, efforts and willingness to take a chance, CASA
would likely have never hit the track. Together we scheduled a
reasonable number of events and presented a fair number of cars to
support them. Soon after our first race, other track promoters
began calling with inquiries about booking CASA events. Through our
website and office phone, fans asked when we might visit either
their favorite or local track. CASA’s response was always the same;
“We have to walk before we can run, BUT we will certainly look into
expanding when the time is right.”
The 2004 season schedule was expanded to 13 races at ARP with four
more scheduled in Carson City, NV and one in Anderson, CA.
Maintaining reasonable travel distance, time, and expenses has
always been a major concern for CASA management and membership.
Approximately ninety percent of CASA members live within 100 miles
or about 2 hours travel time to Altamont’s centralized location.
Carson City is about a five-hour tow for some of our Bay Area
members and about the same two hours as a trip to Altamont for our
Sacramento/Foothill teams, while Shasta Speedway in Anderson is
considerably farther for most all CASA teams. CASA’s travel goal
has always been that members can sleep in their own beds on race
nights without too much undo stress. For our racers who might be
just out range to accomplish that goal, CASA has worked with track
promoters to secure free lodging as needed. So while a CASA race
may take up our members Saturday and some of their Sunday, at this
time CASA does not intend to schedule races, which require Friday
travel and Monday return trips. With those travel goals in mind,
there are approximately ten paved tracks in CASA’s travel range,
including Ukiah Speedway in the beautiful Mendocino County wine
country.
CASA car owner, Mike Consani, working with Ukiah’s track promoter
Blair Akins arranged a CASA test session during Saturday, June
10th’s regularly scheduled Late Model race. Three CASA cars, Jared
Consani from nearby Santa Rosa, a one-hour tow, Ryan Baumgartner
from Citrus Heights, about two hours towing time, and Glenn Hopper
who made the three and one-half hour trip from San Jose, took to
the high-banked quarter-mile speedway for a couple hot-lap
sessions. Having just competed at Champion Speedway in Carson City,
all three teams left nearly identical setups on their cars. They
ran the same tires and stagger combinations and gearing. Consani
tried a slightly lower gear for the second session but all felt
that the track bore great similarity to Champion Speedway.
“Carson’s probably my favorite track in my modified and this is a
real close second” said Baumgartner. Lap times proved similar to
Champion with all three cars running in the low 12-second bracket;
12.00’s to 12.20’s on well used tires. “With fresh tires we could
be in the 11’s” noted Consani.
In the second session, the three ran in a close pack to verify if
close racing and passing could be accomplished on the bullring-like
track. While the groove proved somewhat narrow, Hopper felt
comfortable running the high side above Consani who noted that
while having to hold the bottom exiting the corners required some
throttle control, passing could be accomplished. Hopper felt that
passing would require some patience as cars really needed to
establish track space before completing a pass. Baumgartner tucked
in tight behind the side-by-side duo and said that the cars looked
pretty stable yet racy.
Preliminary discussions with Akins revealed the intention to pave
the remainder of the pit area before this season’s end – there are
level cement pit pads in place now, and set a schedule for a four
to six race series. “I’d love to have you guys come up and run once
a month or so.” Many pit personnel felt that that the majority of
the large crowd came to see the sprint car test as the Fairgrounds
marquee had advertised Sprint Cars for the last week. One track
official said, “If you guys bring a bunch of these fast-@$$ cars,
this place will be standing room only!”
As previously mentioned, the expansion of CASA will be careful and
deliberate. Membership will be presented with options, provide
input, and decisions on schedule, travel and tracks will be made in
the best interest of all parties involved. But one thing is
certain; CASA races are likely to be in high demand as we move
forward.
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