The Summer Showdown at Evergreen Speedway kicked off Thursday, with a entry list containing over 30 cars, but the story quickly became about the technical inspection process instead.
It was no secret there would be more scrutiny in the inspection process from previous years, as teams have been asking for stricter rules, especially regarding the ABC body program Super Late Model teams use. Evergreen Speedway responded by hiring SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour chief Noel Dawson to shore up the process for all races taking place on the 5/8th mile oval.
Dawson quickly implemented the full ABC template program, giving competitors a preview at the end of the 2016 season and making it clear that this would be the standard for the 2017 season.
Dawson would meet the competitors again at the Galloway 150 Shootout in May, Evergreen Speedway’s first big event this season, making it clear that the full ABC template program was in full effect. With the Galloway 150 Shootout quickly becoming a tune-up race ahead of the biggest event of the season — the Summer Showdown — teams got a good look at what they were in for as Dawson’s tech line was beginning to be talked in the same spirit of Ricky Brooks.
Thursday morning saw the tech line open and teams began to attempt to make their way through Dawson’s Northwest version of the “Room of Doom.”
While many teams struggled to meet the strict criteria set forth by the new tech official, others ultimately chose to load up and head back home. Both the No. 10 and No. 15 of Owen and Tayler Riddle along with the No. 29 and No. 39 of Pete and Shane Harding would ultimately bow out of the competition before it even began.
The issue at hand for one team appeared to be how the rear overhang was being measured. Based on the disagreement they chose to load up and head home. Exactly what the issue was with the other team has yet to come to light.
In a statement from the Speedway:
“No one was sent home from the race. Every driver and car has to go through the same tech, to pass and try to win the $25,000 prize. If a driver chooses not to change their car to pass tech and leave, that is their choice. We have a great field of cars that have passed tech and we will have an amazing Summer Showdown.”
Whether the rules are being enforced correctly is a debate for the ages. Make no mistake, Dawson has proven that rules will be enforced and teams will be expected to follow them, his way.
Editor’s Note:
Tim McDougald is the driver of the #68 Race Car Help / Clevenger Associates / Voeller & Associates Toyota Camry in the Whelen All-American Late Model series at Evergreen Speedway. When Tim is not driving the car, he helps the 3-car family owned team on the pit crew. Tim is the HayWire Racing team’s web site editor and Media Relations Director handling all team pr, media obligations and sponsor relations. Tim is an avid blogger, active Twitter (@TerribleTim68) and Facebook user and a published author.
