Soup Run

A soup run in motorsport refers to when a driver starts in a low-level preliminary race and must win or place well enough to advance through multiple races in sequence before reaching the main feature event of the night.

The term comes from the idea of progressing through an "alphabet soup" of races. At most short track racing events, especially in midget car and sprint car racing, drivers are divided into different qualifying races based on their earlier performance or time trials. These races are typically labeled alphabetically, starting with the C-main (or sometimes D-main), then B-main, and finally the A-main, which is the premier race everyone wants to enter.

When a driver has a poor qualifying time or mechanical issues early in the evening, they get placed in the lowest preliminary race. To reach the feature event, they must finish in a top position in each race to transfer to the next level. This creates a challenging night where one driver might compete in three or four races while the fastest qualifiers wait comfortably for the A-main.

For example, imagine a driver starts in the C-main race. They need to finish in the top few positions (usually top 2-4, depending on track rules) to advance to the B-main. Then they must perform well again in the B-main to transfer into the A-main feature race. Successfully completing this journey is called running the soup run or going through the alphabet soup.

This progression system tests both the driver's skill and the car's durability. Running multiple races in one night means more tire wear, more fuel consumption, and more stress on the engine and components. A driver on a soup run faces significant disadvantages compared to competitors who qualified directly into the feature event and have fresh equipment.

Despite these challenges, some drivers have become famous for their soup run victories. Winning the A-main after starting in the C-main is considered an impressive accomplishment in the racing community because it demonstrates exceptional driving ability and mechanical preparation.

The soup run format keeps racing exciting for fans and provides opportunities for drivers who had early struggles. Even if you don't qualify well initially, you still have a path to the main event through strong racing performance. This system rewards consistency and racecraft throughout the entire evening rather than just one qualifying session.