Sports are supposed to be about competition.

Competition is supposed to be about beating the other person.

So can somebody please explain to me the concept behind provisionals in the world of dirt track racing?

The Firecracker 100, one of the premier Late Model events on the World of Outlaws tour, took place Tuesday at Lernerville Speedway. The winner received $40,000, so there was plenty at stake.

With such an event, the hosting track is awarded two provisional starting spots in the feature race. Thus, Lernerville Speedway was able to insert two local drivers in the back row to start the race.

The two drivers in this case were Alex Ferree of Saxonburg and Lynn Geisler of Cranberry Township, who sit first and second in Lernerville's current Late Model standings.

This is not to knock either driver. Ferree won the Late Model championship at Lernerville last year, grabbing nine features along the way, and Geisler is a track champion several times over and has more than 100 wins at the Sarver track.

Despite all that, shouldn't every driver have to earn his way into the big dance?

Ferree opted not to drive his No. 4 car in the B-Main Tuesday because he knew he'd be getting a provisional starting spot in the feature.

Generally speaking, race fans have no problem with provisionals and how they're used.

But the whole concept of provisionals bothers me.

Pardon the pun, but nobody should get a free ride here. Every driver at the Firecracker 100 — or any other feature event, both local and national — should have to earn his or her way into the main event by qualifying through heat races, C-Mains or B-Mains.

That's the whole idea of competition.

Handing a driver a spot in a race he didn't otherwise qualify for, just because he's leading in points and having a great season, is wrong.

No other sport does such a thing.

If provisionals existed in baseball, the New York Yankees wouldn't have to worry about catching Tampa Bay or Boston in the American League East. They would be awarded a playoff berth based on past performance.

The same could be said for the Dallas Cowboys in football, Boston Celtics in basketball, Montreal Canadiens in hockey.

Hey, you guys have already proven you deserve to be competing for the big prize. Here's a playoff spot. It's on us. Go for it.

As bizarre as that sounds, it's basically what the provisional is all about in racing.

Ferree, Geisler and drivers like them don't need any help. They've won plenty of races on their own and they'll continue to do so.

Handing them a gift-wrapped starting spot isn't necessary — and isn't fair to other drivers in the race who had to qualify for positions.

Do away with the provisionals. Please.

They're an honorary gesture based on accomplishments. Got it.

Qualify on that day anyway. It's sports. It's competition.

It's the only way to go.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.