44 entries @ Pocono

[Chris]

only 44 entered at Pocono...
And one of those is still a TBA... when it is all said and done MAY only have 43...
We'll see,...
But entries have sure dropped off from the first of the year.

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I guess the Goodyear tire bill from Indy hurt a few teams.

 Shayne

[Blu]

only 44 entered at Pocono...
And one of those is still a TBA... when it is all said and done MAY only have 43...
We'll see,...
But entries have sure dropped off from the first of the year.

Its Prolly cause they have to go home  to change the tires on the haulers  after being at Indy.

That place is hard on tires ya know.

[scott b]

I wonder what the entry list will look like for Cali and Phoenix?  Maybe Brandon Ash or some other West Coast based part timers will show up.

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I think the teams with limited resources don't want to wad up any race cars at tracks like Pocono.

 Shayne

[FSBryan]

Pocono's entry list is typically sparse. If we get to Bristol, Charlotte, etc. with only 44 cars though, dang.

[scott b]

Pocono's entry list is typically sparse. If we get to Bristol, Charlotte, etc. with only 44 cars though, dang.

Exactly. Dover is usually pretty thin, too.  The car count does seem to be off everywhere from what it was the last couple of seasons, though. 

[20forLogano]

This is typically one of those races the low budget teams skip because of funding and qualifying is mostly about HP.  They figure why go there when we are limited already and waste the tire and gas money, etc.

[zebmonkey]

There were only 44 cars there in June. There have been several races lately that only had one or two cars that were left on the outside looking in. 

[20forLogano]

and it is going to continue.  Without the proper funding limited budget teams cannot do it.  Geez, the BIG teams have to get 2 major sponsors just to make it work these days.  I am waiting for my sponsor to take care of my expenses when i go to the races

[FS_Amy]

It's not just Pocono.   There were only 47 cars at Indy-a track whose huge purse usually attracts over 50 teams.  Last year I think ten teams went home.

When it's costing upwards of $1000 just to get the hauuler to a race-and that's not counting the West Coast races!-and $16,000 for tires, not to mention the cost of a chassis and engine capable of qualifying, entry and inspection fees, hotels and salary for the crew...

It's getting to the point where last place money at many tracks isn't covering the bills.  And if you think it's bad in Cup...look at the Nationwide Series

[Chris]

and $16,000 for tires

Oh.... just a note,,, thats JUST the race tires (10 sets).... there were 10 MORES sets of tires for practice and qualifying... thats ANOTHER $16,000
SO really for a race weekend you can be looking at around $32,000 in tires.... per team.
Take and owner like Roush who has 5 teams... now multiply that number by 5 and you have a tire bill for the weekend of $160,000

[scott b]

At Pocano, Chad Chaffin in the #34 ran only 4 laps in first practice, and was the only DNQ.

Eventual race winner Carl Edwards ran 22 laps in first practice (tied for most), points leader Kyle Busch ran 21.

That probably ain't coincidence.

The poor teams can't afford to burn up tires or put their gear at risk of a crash or blown engine, even though they need the track time.

[FSBryan]

It's amazing to me that Front Row Motorsports has managed to contest as many races as they have this season.

[Chris]

It's amazing to me that Front Row Motorsports has managed to contest as many races as they have this season.

Ya know...
It DON'T cost much to show up.. run a few laps in the first practice session... DNQ and go home.
Don't tear up any cars,... don't have a race tire bill,... don't have to rebuild motors every week... and so on