Scott Owen, Leader Columnist
Years ago when I attempted to race, a wise man said to me, “Learn to drive where they aren’t.”
Lately, I have seen the subject of a “one-groove racetrack” bandied about online. Now I have an interesting perspective in that I watch every race each week at the Shawano Speedway and, except for the few nights I have taken off in the past 13 years, I have done so every week since 2004.
Last week was a prime example of what some consider a one-groove racetrack. The preferred line to race in for much of the night was in the higher groove of the track, closer to the wall than to the infield. Some may call this a one-groove racetrack; others call this an opportunity to pass.
For example, feature winners Lucas Lamberies and Travis Van Straten each started his respective feature in 10th place. This means that each of them found a way to pass nine cars on his way to the front of the field. For these two, many of their passes utilized the inside of the track.
Lamberies and VanStraten have won a number of features this year at Shawano (Lamberies five and Van Straten seven), but many nights earlier this year when the inside groove of the track was the best place to race, they were able to make passes in the outside line.
The point is that both of these racers, who are both two-time defending track champions, have found a way to get past other racers in the easiest way possible. That is, they make passes where others are not running.
It is a simple enough theory and it is not limited to these two racers, but when I go online and hear racers complain about a one-groove racetrack I have to question what it is they are looking for in a race track.
Simply put, if the inside racing groove and the outside racing groove were equally as fast as each other, it would be awfully difficult to pass.
I have been to racetracks that were one groove — by that I mean that anyone who got out of the racing groove attempting to make a pass went backward. This scenario doesn’t make for the best racing. But what I have seen in recent weeks in Shawano being referred to as a one-groove track is just false.
What’s more interesting is the great divide of varying opinions among drivers. There are those who have taken to the one-groove racetrack mantra as a way to explain their finishing positions. There are others who have stated that the track has been racy and fast.
In the end, it might have more to do with the midsummer doldrums. There are those who have become a bit weary and worn down over the course of the season, especially as the temperatures climb.
The key to speed may be a one-groove racetrack — and a driver who can make his machine work where others cannot.
See you at the speedway.