One of the most prestigious short track racing events in the country, the All American 400, will be more affordable for racers in 2016. Announced on Monday by Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville (TN) officials, the 32nd running of the 400-lap Super Late Model race on October 1-2, 2016 will feature a new controlled cautions concept.
In recent years, many Super Late Model races in the Southeast region have featured live pit stops. While that format adds strategy and excitement for the fans, its downfall is larger costs for the racers. The goal for the All American 400 is to minimize the cost of running the race, while also providing the most excitement for the fans in attendance at the historic 5/8-mile Nashville, Tennessee race track.
After much consideration, Head Tech Official Ricky Brooks and Track Promoter Tony Formosa made the decision to introduce controlled cautions for this year’s race.
Controlled cautions will consist of controlled pit stops during the 400-lap race, meaning no car may lose a lap under caution while pitting. In addition, no car will lose positions in regards to other cars that pitted during the controlled caution period.
After 50 green flag laps without a caution, a competition caution will be utilized within the next 15 laps. For example, if there is a caution at lap 22 and the green flag is displayed again on lap 30, if no cautions occur prior to lap 80 a competition caution will be displayed prior to lap 95.
Pit road will be open for a minimum of four laps under each caution unless declared a “quickie yellow,” which will be when a simple caution occurs within 15 laps of a previous caution.
“The idea came from ARCA Midwest Tour president Gregg McKarns who has already proven that it makes for exciting racing,” Brooks said. “I spoke with several teams about changing the format from two breaks to this and have had nothing but a big yes from teams, especially since it keeps the cost down and puts more money back in the racer’s hands.”
“I think it is a great idea to add excitement and strategy back into the race,” Formosa added. “The drivers will really have to use their heads with only 10 tires in the race. Racers and crew chiefs will have to decide on each pit stop exactly what will be the best move to make to advance in track position. My goal has always been to keep the cost of racing down for racers, especially in these big races.”
The Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville management have decided to extend the due date for Super Late Model teams to register for the race. The original due date of the entry form would have been September 1. With Monday’s announcement, the new date for entry forms to be received by will be Friday, September 9.
The 32nd Annual All American 400 is now less than one month away. Thirty-two cars will take the green flag at the start of the All American 400 on October 2. Twenty-eight fast qualifiers will be locked in by time and four will transfer from the always-entertaining last chance race.
All of the racing action starts on Friday, September 30 with Super Late Model and Pro Late Model practice. Saturday October, 1 will have a full line up with all quarter-mile races, Super Late Model and Pro Late Model qualifying and last chance races if needed. On Sunday, October 2 the Super Late Models will race for a chance to win over $24,000, with the Pro Late Models on the line up as well for their final 100-lap, $5,000-to-win race of the season.
