Since there hasn’t been much on track racing action to write about I thought I would attempt to give the fans a peek at just how a race is scored from the scoring tower. Many times speedway officials are the recipients of crude remarks and unjust criticism. I think if the fans and drivers saw the amount of hard work involved behind the scenes they would have a new appreciation for the track officials.
Our scoresheets have a grid on the left side where we place the starting lineup. Readers should note that we use only car numbers, not names. The middle of each heat race scoresheet has approximately 15 horizontal lines on which we write down the running order as each car crosses the start-finish line. The feature scoresheets normally have 30 horizontal lines. The middle portion actually resemble a writing tablet. Finally the right hand side of each scoresheet has a grid where the race finish is written.
In the Western PA/Eastern Ohio area most tracks use a pill draw to determine the starting lineups for the qualifying events. Once the lineup officials determine the heat race lineups they are given to the scorers and our work begins. It is also important to note that if there are any duplicate numbers in the original lineup we have to assign a letter to one of the cars to differentiate between the two. For example if we have a car numbered “1C” in the race he would be scored as “C” and the car numbered 1F” would be scored as “F.” This is an attempt to avoid any confusion throughout the night. Drivers should also understand that if they are assigned a letter by track officials it is in their best interest to be sure the letter is clearly visible at all times and on both sides of the car.
As the cars roll onto the speedway we have to be sure each car is in the correct position. Often times we are getting information on late arrivals from the pit officials via our headsets or the track radio. Cars that do not come out onto the track are marked as “Did Not Start.” This is important documentation for the individuals responsible for calculating the event’s points and payoff.
Once the lineup is correct and the green flag is waved the scorers set their eyes on the start/finish line to write down the numbers/letters of each car in the order they cross the flagstand. Since we only have a few seconds to write down all of the cars “2L” often becomes an “L” and “20D” is usually scored as “D.”
In longer events we are also responsible for indicating which cars are lapped. Most scorers circle the lapped cars as they cross the start/finish line. At the conclusion of the event we then review all of the lapped cars to determine how many laps they are down to the leader.
Once the checkered flag waves we have a few minutes to review the finish. The head scorer usually reads aloud the finish from the final lap on their scoresheet. We then write the official finish on the right hand side of the scoresheet and move onto the next race.
Fans and drivers should note that in most cases the scorers are not responsible for determining which cars are charged with a caution. Since we are only watching the start/finish line we often do not even see accidents on other parts of the track. The on track officials normally determine which cars are involved in the incident and relay the information to the scoring tower. At the same time this information is being relayed to the scorers we are talking with the lineup officials to realign the starting field. The scorers highlight or underline the cars that were involved in each accident. This is necessary to assist in compiling the finishing order at the completion of the event.
Many times drivers and fans alike will criticize a scoring decision but they need to understand that the rules differ from track to track and when a traveling sanctioning body visits their rules normally override the normal track rules. For example, some tracks count a lap as completed if the leader crosses the start/finish line while others require the leader and another car to cross before the lap is considered complete.
I remember as a small child always looking up at the scorers and thinking that “I would really like to do that someday.” Well that someday is now here and I am thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Hopefully I have explained some of the inner workings that go on behind the scenes at the racetrack. At times it can be a thankless job but one that needs done just the same.
If all goes well I am off to the Hagerstown Speedway for their season opener on Sunday, February 22nd. Until then be safe in your travels and remember that news, notes and constructive criticism are always welcome at sprintcarfan@comcast.net
