Don O’Neal is looking forward to the Gateway Dirt Nationals

You seem excited about that race?

“I am. I mean, it’s racing in December,” Don O’Neal told RacingNews.co just before he swept the LOLMDS show at Pittsburgh’sPA Motor Speedway.

Related: 2017 Pittsburgher 100 results

“It’s something a little different. The atmosphere was really great there last year.”

But, it’s not just the spectacle of the event itself. Don O’Neal didn’t forget the most important aspect of the event stating, “And the racing was good.”

Don Oneal Scott Bloomquist Racing Photos 9152
Don O’Neal in the 2016 Gateway Dirt Nationals

Changes?

Leading up to the event, as well as after the event. Many fans, drivers alike stated that they wished they’d make the track a little bigger. Before the race, Scott Bloomquist, “If you ain’t going fast enough to die. It’s not a race.”

But, the Gateway Dirt Nationals was the best race of the year. Personally, I don’t see how anyone would want ANY changes to the track itself. The event, the track, it was perfect. I’m part of the ‘Don’t change a thing’ camp.

Don O'Neal talks Gateway Dirt Nationals
Gateway Dirt Nationals, the indoor race in downtown St. Louis

How about Don O’Neal? Would you want to see any changes?

“Well, I’d say with the room they have and for safety reasons, there probably wasn’t much more they could do with it. I think, like I said, as long as the racin’ is good, like it was,” Don O’Neal stated of the Gateway Dirt Nationals.

It was a little choppy. But, that just gave it a little character.

-Don O’Neal

“It was a little choppy. But, that just gave it a little character. I don’t see nothing wrong with it all all.”

“It was good. Especially, for the temperature it was outside and us getting to race indoor’s. It was cool.”

Staging?

This is the one thing that might become an issue. They staged these cars, outside, in the bitter cold and exposed to the elements of the weather. Last year, it was negative something, as far as temperature. At the same time, black ice hit the city. Heading the the race, I saw a bus sliding down a hill in the inner city. He couldn’t stop it. Just sliding, sideways, blocking multiple lanes as the bus driver slid at 1 mph.

I stood out in the negative degree’s, just to take this picture. It took several attempts because my hands wouldn’t stay still, it was that cold.

Gateway Dirt Nationals Outdoor Staging Area 6034
Gateway Dirt Nationals Outdoor Staging Area

 

How’d you like staging in the bitter cold winter winds?

“Yeah, if it happened to be pouring down rain, that might be an issue. They got lucky, it just did some freezing rain last year. If something happens with the weather, they might have to do something different there.”

Last year was the inaugural event for the indoor dirt late model event in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Don O’Neal finished 2nd.

Related: 2016 Gateway Dirt Nationals results

Links

Don O’Neal
Website | Facebook

Gateway Dirt Nationals
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Shane Walters
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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