Where's the racing spirit, anyway?Moments after winning the Norway Savings Bank 100 for the PASS Outlaw Late Models at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, J.R Baril announced he was packing up his ball and heading home. Truly.
Baril had a choice -- take the $2,000 payday or take half of that and head into a starting spot in the D.J. Equipment 300 later in the afternoon. For the 1st time most of us can remember, the racer chose the very un-racer's way.
"I'm going to load up the car and go home," Baril said, to a shocked silence from the grandstands. "We've got 1 (Outlaw) race left. 300 laps is a long time, and anything can happen... We want to start that last race next week."
Remember when racers lived to race? It's a sure sign of the times, folks.
When it comes to racing in the 21st century, it's about a whole lot more than living for the moment. It's about big budgets and putting yourself in the right circumstances. For Baril, the right move was not racing.
Funny thing is, were he to start the 300, he'd be guaranteed the same payday, even if he finished dead last.
*****
Unofficial results
PASS Outlaw Late Models
Norway Savings Bank 100
1. J.R. Baril, Haverhill, Mass.; 2. Tony Ricci, Westbrook; 3. Joe Decker, Chesterville; 4. Chris Staples, Brunswick; 5. Jim Rosenfield, Middleboro, Mass.
PASS Outlaw Late Models
Norway Savings Bank 100
1. J.R. Baril, Haverhill, Mass.; 2. Tony Ricci, Westbrook; 3. Joe Decker, Chesterville; 4. Chris Staples, Brunswick; 5. Jim Rosenfield, Middleboro, Mass.
2 comments:
i believe that last years winner also passes on racing in the big race. Maybe if there was a little more incentive. Say $1500 for the outlaw win and a starting spot or take the 2 grand and go home. wrecked race cars are expensive to replace these days
It's a good point, and in today's racing market, added incentive is always a good thing...
But we all remember the days when a "racer" lived for getting into the "big show." It's just not that way any more.
It's too bad, too, when you consider that 9 teams were sent home after not qualifying for the '300.' Bet they would have loved the chance to start at the back.
TB
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