|
|
Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac spr
7/5/23 9:39 PM MACON AN ENTRANCE: SIX TOP GUN STORYLINES FOR USAC SPRINTS
https://www.usacracing.com/news/spri...r-usac-sprints https://www.usacracing.com/media/k2/...bdd35436_S.jpg MACON AN ENTRANCE: SIX TOP GUN STORYLINES FOR USAC SPRINTS By: Richie Murray – USAC Media Macon, Illinois (July 5, 2023)………Dating back to more than three-quarters of a century ago, we’ve seen our share of midget racing at Illinois’ Macon Speedway. USAC has been part of the fabric of midget racing at Macon from practically the beginning, making 12 appearances at the 1/5-mile dirt oval since 1959. Drivers such as Donnie Beechler, Christopher Bell, Don Boorse, Don Branson, Jimmy Davies, Tony Elliott, Danny Frye, Randy Koch, Brad Kuhn, Chuck Rodee, Bob Tattersall and Leroy Warriner have all found their way to several victory lanes across the country, and Macon Speedway is among those. However, we’ve never seen anything quite like what’s on tap during Top Gun weekend at Macon as the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship makes its highly anticipated debut at the venerable bullring. Nestled alongside the corn fields on Land of Lincoln soil, Macon awaits two full USAC Sprint Car programs on two consecutive nights, a 40-lap, $5,000-to-win feature on Friday, July 7, and the grand finale paying $10,000-to-win on Saturday, July 8. True to form, just as the poster says, it’ll be like “Fighter Jets in a Gymnasium” with today’s premier class of talent such as Jake Swanson, Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Justin Grant, Kyle Cummins, C.J. Leary, Mitchel Moles, Chase Stockon, Daison Pursley, Robert Ballou, Matt Westfall, Logan Seavey, Kevin Thomas Jr. and more all vying for newfound sprint car glory at Macon. Here’s six storylines we’re keeping a watchful eye on this weekend at Macon. * CUMMINS, ROCK STEADY ON THE BULLRINGS Right now, at this very moment, the name that first comes to mind when discussing 1/5-mile bullrings and USAC National Sprint Car racing is Kyle Cummins. Just a handful of weeks ago in mid-June during the Eastern Storm finale at Pennsylvania’s Action Track USA, the Princeton, Ind. driver was the fastest qualifier, then worked his way from 6th to 1st in a span of 25 caution-free laps to win the 40-lap feature. Cummins is among the few in the field who has won a feature event at Macon, taking a POWRi Midget round at the track in May of 2022.* Odds might put him as the favorite entering the weekend, and Cummins tends to agree. In a recent interview with Dr. Pat Sullivan, Cummins made clear his intentions and his expectations. “I plan to go over there and make a little money,” Cummins stated.* “If they keep moisture in it or rework it before the feature and the track doesn’t get black slick, it is my race to lose, especially if there is a big cushion by the fence.* If it is juiced and gripped up, then I am excited to go.” * MACON BACON Don’t look now, but Brady Bacon is starting to heat up. Since enduring a troublesome Eastern Storm, the four-time USAC National Sprint Car champion from Broken Arrow, Okla. has captured each of the past two series feature victories at Wisconsin’s Wilmot Raceway and Indiana’s Lincoln Park Speedway, helping him become the series’ first four-time winner in points races this season. Like Cummins, Bacon has also won at Macon in POWRi Midget competition, doing so as recently as 2013.* Now, Bacon aims to contend for his third consecutive USAC National Sprint Car win in as many weeks. Never before has Bacon won three consecutive USAC National Sprint Car features.* In fact, neither has the famed Dynamics, Inc. team, which owns an all-time series record 132 feature victories, but three-in-a-row has not happened as of yet. Macon presents that opportunity for the team to earn new accolades and push Bacon even closer to the all-time series win record.* Bacon picked up series win number 50 on Monday and now ranks third, two behind Tom Bigelow’s 52 and 12 behind Dave Darland’s 62 atop the all-time feature win list. * YOU CAN POINT TO SWANSON It’s been a continuous dog fight at the top of the USAC National Sprint Car standings so far throughout the first half of the calendar year.* Already, in just 17 events, the point lead has been exchanged eight times between six different drivers. Brady Bacon led the way from February 6 through April 8 and then again on June 3.* C.J. Leary has led twice, on April 14 and from May 6-23.* Defending series champ Justin Grant took the reins of the standings between April 15 and May 5.* Kyle Cummins took over from May 24-25.* Jake Swanson rose to the top from June 13-15 before Emerson Axsom elevated to the number one spot in the span from June 16-24. Now, entering Macon, Swanson is back on top of the title race and is in the pilot’s seat with a three-point edge over Axsom.* Swanson erased a 33-point deficit during the last round at Lincoln Park with a third-place result, which was his 13th consecutive top-10 result in USAC National Sprint Car competition, best in the series this year. * BIG HOPES, BIG DREAMS, SMALL PLACE We have a relatively “small” sample size to go off when it comes to USAC National Sprint Cars on tracks 1/5-mile or smaller.* Nonetheless, the cream always rises to the top regardless of the size of the venue, and that came to fruition in mid-June during the Eastern Storm finale at Kutztown, Pennsylvania’s Action Track USA. Kyle Cummins set the tone early as the man to beat by setting fast qualifying time.* In the feature, that very same prowess came through with Cummins winning the 40-lap feature. Meanwhile, Emerson Axsom came on strong and led a race-high 24 circuits before finishing third.* C.J. Leary snuck through to collect third late while Robert Ballou was a strong fourth and Justin Grant came home fifth. All are drivers with several starts under their belts, save for Axsom, who’s now been full-time in the series for two-straight years.* However, the track’s dimensions are also ripe for a first-time winner to make a breakthrough. Besides Cummins and Bacon, who’ve already won at Macon in their careers, there’s a guy like Zach Daum who’s won multiple times in both POWRi Midgets and MOWA winged sprint cars at Macon, and he’s already done that this season.* Daum is among the possible first-time winners in this weekend’s bunch in his own number 5d.* After all, he’s already been in winner’s circle this season with the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship.* A first USAC Sprint Car win isn’t out of the question. * 50-LAP BEHEMOTHS! Brady Bacon, Justin Grant, C.J. Leary and Logan Seavey have all won 50-lap USAC National features in their careers.* However, with that said, never have any of the four captured a 50-lap USAC National Sprint Car main event win. Bacon possesses a pair of 50-lap USAC Silver Crown wins at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway (2019) and the Belleville High Banks in Kansas (2023).* Grant has collected a single 50-lap USAC National Midget feature win at the Southern Illinois Center (2017). Seavey owns the most in the group with four 50-lap USAC Silver Crown scores at Eldora (2021-22) and Pennsylvania’s Port Royal Speedway (2022-23) in addition to one USAC National Midget win at the Southern Illinois Center (2018).* Leary’s lone 50-lap USAC Silver Crown triumph also came at Eldora (2018). In all, 50-lap USAC National Sprint Car events are rare, especially since the turn of the century in 2000.* Since that time, just four dirt 50-lap USAC Sprint Car races have been held, the most recent being in 2012 at Eldora with Dave Darland winning the event. * STRAIGHT TO THE (APPEARANCE) POINT Both nights of racing this weekend at Macon will award appearance points only with all licensed USAC National Sprint Car drivers and entrants receiving 50 points across the board each night regardless of finishing position. It was the same scenario at Action Track USA, and there were some drivers who indicated that the appearance points situation on that particular night took the pressure off their shoulders and allowed them to just go race without the fear or repercussions of having a bad points night. Similar instances may play out once again with championship stakes “at ease” for all intents and purposes at Macon.* Thus, with the removal of one aspect, that might allow drivers to place their sole focus on the win and the paycheck rather than settling, not that anybody is into “settling” in the middle of heated competition. You might see teams experiment a bit more with set ups.* Drivers may take different approaches to their plan of attack.* In fact, a handful of top teams at Action Track USA parked their 410 engines to compete with a 360 c.i. powerplant based on the tight confines, with the best of the bunch scoring a solid sixth place results.* However, when it’s go time, the 20 drivers and cars starting each night’s feature will find themselves in a never-ending vortex for 40 laps on Friday and 50 laps on Saturday.* You know, just like the poster says, “Fighter Jets in a Gymnasium.” * RACE DETAILS: Top Gun Weekend at Macon Speedway marks the debut of USAC National Sprint Car racing at the 1/5-mile dirt oval.* Two-straight nights of action commence for the series on Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8. On Friday, the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship is joined by the HART Non-Wing Micro Sprints plus a huge fireworks display.* Pits open at 3pm Central with the front gates opening at 4pm and cars on track at 6pm followed by qualifying and racing. Saturday’s event features the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship, plus Hornets and Vintage Full Body Stock Cars.* Pits open at 3pm Central with the front gates opening at 4pm and cars on track at 6pm followed by qualifying and racing. Advance tickets for both nights are on sale now at: https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/20...s/package/1005. General admission tickets at the gate on race day are $30 for adults and $10 for kids age 11 and under. *Pit passes are $40 apiece while pit passes for kids age 11 and under are $20. Single day advance general admission is $30.* Single day advance reserved tickets are $35.* Two-day advance reserved tickets are $65.* Adult two-day reserved tickets are $80.* Advance two-day tickets for children age 11 and under are $40.* Three-day advanced reserved tickets are $90 and three-day advance general admission tickets are $75. On Thursday night, July 6, during the “Hell Tour” for late models at Macon, three USAC drivers will face off against three late model drivers in a hornet match race. Fans can save $15 by purchasing a three-day general admission ticket in advance for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.* Adult three-day tickets are $120 while children age 11 and under are $60. Free camping and parking will be available as will a giant carnival slide for kids and the young at heart. Both nights of USAC National Sprint Car racing at Macon this weekend can be watched LIVE on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/3Kdc2na. * |
I thought I seen where this is not a point race. The Action Track in PA was also not a point race. If so can anyone tell me why it's not?
|
Show up points only if I heard correctly. As far as why that is, I would like to know myself.
|
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
There's a paragraph in the story about it.
But the short explanation for the reasoning of it being an appearance points only event is that it gives the flexibility to run an altered format. For instance, 20 cars transfer into the feature events this weekend instead of the normal 22. STRAIGHT TO THE (APPEARANCE) POINT Both nights of racing this weekend at Macon will award appearance points only with all licensed USAC National Sprint Car drivers and entrants receiving 50 points across the board each night regardless of finishing position. It was the same scenario at Action Track USA, and there were some drivers who indicated that the appearance points situation on that particular night took the pressure off their shoulders and allowed them to just go race without the fear or repercussions of having a bad points night. Similar instances may play out once again with championship stakes “at ease” for all intents and purposes at Macon.* Thus, with the removal of one aspect, that might allow drivers to place their sole focus on the win and the paycheck rather than settling, not that anybody is into “settling” in the middle of heated competition. You might see teams experiment a bit more with set ups.* Drivers may take different approaches to their plan of attack.* In fact, a handful of top teams at Action Track USA parked their 410 engines to compete with a 360 c.i. powerplant based on the tight confines, with the best of the bunch scoring a solid sixth place results.* However, when it’s go time, the 20 drivers and cars starting each night’s feature will find themselves in a never-ending vortex for 40 laps on Friday and 50 laps on Saturday.* You know, just like the poster says, “Fighter Jets in a Gymnasium.” |
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
actually first uttered by Eddie Cheever about racing his crapwagon at Dover
|
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
Quote:
|
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense now.
|
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
Quote:
Bruce Eckel :6: |
Quote:
|
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
Quote:
|
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
I personally think a race without chances to earn and lose points is bunk.
MLB, NFL etc. all games except all star races count in the standings and runs or points are the tie breaker. I don't understand committing to a series then getting the same points everyone else does. It should be a chance to advance or decline depending on your performance. |
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
/\/\ I totally agree with this /\/\ :5:
This season has seen plenty of rain out. Now they are racing twice for no points, er, participation points. Bill Joe has a carburetor, Franky is runnin' a sleeved down 305! I will suffer thru Chet |
I’ve never really understood the outrage over having a race as show-up points only. It takes nothing away from the race you get to see, and the vast majority of competitors affected agree that it is better.
Plenty of races are that way, including the Knoxville Nationals & Kings Royal. Some tracks prefer their events to be this way. They want competitors to race the event to win, not to worry about points. In this instance, it gives the freedom to make adjustments to the program to ensure the most entertainment, and takes away the potential pitfalls that could strike a competitor due to the format or challenges of track layout. Ultimately, the competitors actually affected liked being able to race for appearance points at Kutztown, and I expect the same this weekend. And missing one of these shows is really a bigger hit than a regular race, so any competitor with intention to race for points knows they can’t skip. |
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
I wouldn't call it outrage and certainly you would know what teams want more than me. But common sense says that any team not in first place wants races to be a chance to gain in the standings.
True it is somewhat of a neutral track but Say it's Cummins going to Tri State or JG going to Kokomo and that race gives the same points for everyone else, They go, Win as they often do at their best tracks, and come out in the same position. Like I said, You know a lot more than me what teams want, But teams include car owners and while winning is the game. The series is for a championship. While USAC is, and I applaud upping payouts and having more higher paying races. There's a huge difference in Kings Royal and Knox Nationals payouts and draw. Yes, Bacon is one of my favorite drivers and drives for a local team. But I like em all and may the best team win. I also wish I could get to more USAC shows but in current family health situation. I'll be at Burg sat and Burg Sprint week if conditions allow. Good luck to everyone! |
The way it is set up makes perfect sense. Cummins would have loved the extra points at Action Track but admitted he understands why the decision was made. It is a first trip for the sprint cars to very small track. Will it work for sprint cars? We will all find out. The money is the same which puts the promoter at risk given the purse. Consider what this track has already gone through. If a race offers appearance points those with title aspirations will go. For the promoter that means you know you get Bacon Grant Swanson Leary etc. If it is a track that doesn't work for sprint cars the participants don't take a big hit on points but still get paid. So both parties (promoter and participants) are "protected". If it works for all you can consider an alternative in 2024.
|
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
It's a dead horse at this point but sprints have raced on every sized track there is and most of these drivers the same. The straights were a big longer but old portsmouth was as tight as LBurg motorcycle track and All stars ran ohio sprint week races there.. Boss ran on Osgood IN quarter midget track I beleive. They could race a the chili bowl if you could contain em.
Hope everyone has a great safe weekend and may the racing be fabulous. |
OUTRAGE, really. 🤣🤣🤣 I ask a question and got a answer and I said it still doesn't make sence. Than you Spridge, call that a outrage.
|
Quote:
The MSCS co-sanctions on the first day of Sprintacular and at Haubstadt in September are also appearance points. Huset’s was last year, as was the Knoxville two-day race when it had some rule differences. All effort is made for uniformity from race-to-race, but sometimes it is the best way to do it for everyone involved. Enjoy the race. Forget the math for a weekend. |
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
Quote:
The two different sanctioning series is a no-brainer. The Spridge response made me Chuckle. (No pun intended) :44: :8: |
I wasn’t outraged but I wanted to know the reasoning behind the decision. Spridge layed it out pretty well I think, and I’m satisfied with the logic. Not that it couldn’t be argued, but I now have have a better understanding of it. Meanwhile after a blowout on the way to Macon, I’m now rolling again. See y’all soon
|
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
Quote:
Have a great weekend and certainly racin is better than no racin at all. |
I understand why they only do show up points for these tiny tracks like Macon since they weren’t designed for sprint cars and it’s a crap shoot just to get through the night. But what I don’t understand is when they don’t award normal points for special shows on larger tracks simply because the show doesn’t follow the typical format. Enlighten me on what exactly were the rule differences at Knoxville that caused it not to be worthy of full points?
|
Quote:
|
Re: Usac: Macon an entrance: Six top gun storylines for usac
What a race! Has to be top 5 of year
|
Chet: Unbelievable! Oh race fans - you guys need to go pay again. You got more than your money's worth. Classic line! Wow...what a finish! 🏁
|
Wow! Stellar track prep, love the old school black gumbo like Knoxville USED to have, not a spec of dust. A bit small for sprint cars but they managed to put on a great race once it got going and a wild finish. Congrats to Moles and Garrett! Now if Flo racing could learn to film the finish of races correctly that would be great!
|
Throwback, I couldn’t agre with you more about the track prep, outstanding! NO DUST! Dust is rarely a deal breaker for me, but consider it a fabulous bonus when you don’t have to deal with it. My whole thoughts on this was I remember the Allstars used to run here, and Late Models have been running here forever, so wingless Sprint Car’s should be fine. And they were. Fantastic, actually. My recommendation to folks is to pack up the car and head to Macon, you won’t be disappointed
|
You guys make great points. Macon's black gumbo makes for unique dustless racing. Kudos to Bob Sargent's group over the years for his track prep. Reminds me a little of Haubstadt and their track car. I'm sure new ownership will be just as caring.
I saw my first Herald and Review 100 in 1982 when I moved downstate IL. Couldn't believe they were pitting late models in the infield! Later years, as Flag says, I saw the All Stars at Macon and will never forget seeing Jack Hewitt with his big bushy afro. 🤣 He was driving the blue Murphy car that year. Midgets are slide job city at Macon. Jerry Coons Jr told me he loves racing midgets at Macon. Back in those 1980 days, Macon on Saturday night and Little Springfield on Sunday night were quite the weekly shows. Sure hope this Macon USAC weekend is repeated in 2024! |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 6:58 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2005-2024 IndianaOpenWheel.com