O.K. guys, I know it may be a little early to be thinking about this but I could use some help. I’m stuck down here where people think if it don’t have fenders you can’t race it! I normally get to see between 5 and 10 sprint car shows a year, if I’m lucky. The last couple of years I have had passing thoughts about heading north for Indiana Speedweek. This year I am going to get serious about it. I would like some info about the tracks, dates, motels, etc. Do any/all the tracks allow camping on site. Is there a group of you all that follows the shows and camp at each track (that is what I would like to do)? Which tracks normally have the best racing? I can’t think of a better place to get answers than right here on IOW.

Thanks
FatHead

[speed bump]

The racing at all tracks is great. My own perferance is Kokomo, Bloomington,
Gas City.Terre Haute has good racing, but sometimes they get spread out.
It is a 1/2 mile, where the rest are 1/4 or 3/8 mile.
You will see great racing all of sprint week.


COME ON UP , AND YOU WILL BE BACK AGAIN.

[cmakin]

Originally Posted by fathead19 O.K. guys, I know it may be a little early to be thinking about this but I could use some help. I’m stuck down here where people think if it don’t have fenders you can’t race it! I normally get to see between 5 and 10 sprint car shows a year, if I’m lucky. The last couple of years I have had passing thoughts about heading north for Indiana Speedweek. This year I am going to get serious about it. I would like some info about the tracks, dates, motels, etc. Do any/all the tracks allow camping on site. Is there a group of you all that follows the shows and camp at each track (that is what I would like to do)? Which tracks normally have the best racing? I can’t think of a better place to get answers than right here on IOW. Thanks FatHead

I know the feeling, living down here in the Houston area. I absolutely love Sprint Week, and you can see some pictures of the last two on my website. I don't camp, so I find hotels close buy. Some tracks, like Lawrenceburg, Gas City, Terre Haute, Bloomington and Haubstadt are extremely close to the tracks. In some cases, you can even see the track from the hotel.

There weren't any hotels close to Kamp, but Brownstown is now on the schedule instead. I haven't checked to see what accommodations are close yet, and I haven't been there before, either.

I do know that most allow camping in the parking lots, but also there may be limited places to tie into water and electricity.

There are most certainly a group of folks that travel to all the races and camp, and they are not hard to find.

It is hard to say which tracks are the best. I have seen good (and bad) shows at some, but I don't believe that I have ever been disappointed by the racing at Kokomo, Gas City or the new Lawrenceburg. Oh, or Haubstadt, either.

I certainly plan to be heading back up this summer. You are correct in that this is probably the best place for information. I hope to see you up there this summer.

[Mud Packer]

Fathead,

Welcome to the IOW. As one of many who travel and camp at the track you will find no better racing than here in Indiana for sprint week. Here is the schedule and a little information about the tracks.

7/9/10-Lawrenceburg 3/8 mile high banked track. The facility has recently undergone a facelift with an expanded track, excellent seating with modern facilities. Concessions are very good and the promoter and workers are extremely fan friendly. You can bring a cooler into the track as long as you don't bring alcoholic beverages. Located at the county fairgrounds across the street from the Hollywood casino. Camping area has some hookups with plenty of space from primitive camping.

7/10/10-Gas Ctiy/I-69 Speedway 1/4 mile semi banked track. Grandstands give you an up close experience as they are located on the front stretch. Turns one and two are open ended with no wall as well as the back stretch. Semi banked track and the promoter is also extremely fan friendly. A wide array of concessions are modestly priced. If you buy a 50/50 ticket, you can enter the pits prior to qualifying and meet the competitors. Adequate area for camping is all primitive. No coolers allowed in the grandstand area.

7/11/10-Kokomo Speedway 1/4 mile semi banked track. Recently redone from a flat track to a semi banked facility. The O'Connor family has made this an outstanding racing venue. Multi grooved racing provides an outstanding racing experience. Concessions are good with the pork chop sandwich my favorite. Primitive camping for self contained motor homes and campers. No coolers allowed in the grandstand area.

7/14/10-Terre Haute Action Track 1/2 mile semi banked track with a long history of USAC racing. It contains a large infield area where fans can bring lawn chairs and coolers to sit and watch the action. The seating area has both covered grandstands as well as open bleachers. Another fairgrounds facility located right in town close to many restaurants, shops, etc. Concessions are good and camping is primitive. Coolers allowed in the grandstand area. No carry in alcoholic beverages.

7/15/10-Brownstown Speedway 1/4 mile semi banked track. This is the newest addition to sprint week and the setting is an old fairgrounds track that has covered bleachers as well as an open grandstand. Traditionally a stock car track but the sprint car shows I have seen have been very good. Concession area is rather small but I have not be disappointed in anything that I have tried. You can take a cooler into the track but I don't remember about carry in alcoholic beverages. Primitive camping only.

7/16/10-Bloomington Speedway. This quarter mile bullring is a real treasure as you won't find many tracks like Bloomington. A bright red clay surface that has set back walls on three sides. Front stretch seating has open bleachers as well as hillside seating. Concession area is small but the food is excellent. Small primitive camping area but you need to get there early. You can also carry in food and drinks (no alchol) along with a lawn chair or blanket to "reserve" your seat.

7/17/10-Tri State Speedway in Haubstadt. The Helfrich family built this facility right on their farm property. The 1/4 racing surface is long straightaways with two tight high banked corners. The track prep is something to see as you won't believe the John Deere parade during intermission. Seating on both the front stretch as well as the back stretch is all open air bleachers. Camping is an open area with a pond that provides a rather picturesque view of the Indiana farmland. Very fan friendly and a great place for the finale of Indiana Sprint Week. Concession area on both sides of the track offers a wide variety of menu items and you can also carry in a cooler here as well.

A couple of other suggestions. If you arrive in Indiana early, a couple of places you might consider. 7/7/10 has USAC regional midget racing at the 1/5 mile pavement track known as the Speedrome in Indianapolis. 7/8/10 has the USAC Silver Crown cars racing at Illiana Speedway in Schererville in Northwest Indiana. A 1/2 mile pavement track is a nice facility and the Silver Crown cars put on a great show there. To wind up your experience, I might suggest on 7/18/10 a trip to Winchester Speedway in East Central Indiana. A high banked asphalt track is an exciting place to witness great racing. Although they won't have a sprint car show, the USA modifieds and the CRA Sportsman cars usually provide an entertaining day of racing.

Plan on coming and meeting a lot of IOW regulars and having a great time watching outstanding sprint car shows. Indiana Sprint Week is something everyone should witness at least once in their lifetime. I will forewarn that it is addictive and you probably won't be able to stay away once you have been here. I hope to see you in July. I am sure others will check in and add things I have missed.

[duel]

Well stated by Mud Packer. Not as well attended but in my opinion a best kept secret is usac midget week. most of the same tracks and you get a double header with local sprints cars at each show.

[jjones776]

nice informative post mudpacker. not being nit picky but just wanted to correct you on a couple tracks and carry in booze. last year you could carry in booze (no glass bottles) to terre haute, brownstown, bloomington, and haubstadt. i did it at all four tracks on a regular basis. hopefully that does not change this year.

[speed bump]

I agree that Indiana Midget Week is also a very good week to
come to Indiana as most or maybe all also run the sprints n
the same program.
All the USAC midget drivers also have their sprinters there also.
No street stock fillers all open wheel all night.

[Mud Packer]

Originally Posted by jjones776 nice informative post mudpacker. not being nit picky but just wanted to correct you on a couple tracks and carry in booze. last year you could carry in booze (no glass bottles) to terre haute, brownstown, bloomington, and haubstadt. i did it at all four tracks on a regular basis. hopefully that does not change this year.

jjones776,

Not nit picky at all. Thanks for the additional information. I guess I haven't tried to take beer into these tracks so I wasn't aware that you could. I also hope that this doesn't change this year.

[Z-man]

USAC Indiana SPRINT WEEK
09 - Lawrenceburg, IN - USAC Sprint Cars - ISW & AMSA Mini Sprints
10 - Gas City, IN - USAC Sprint Cars - ISW
11 - Kokomo, IN - USAC Sprint Cars - ISW
14 - Terre Haute, IN - USAC Sprint Cars - ISW
15 - Brownstown, IN - USAC Sprints - ISW
16 - Bloomington, IN - USAC Sprints - ISW
17 - Haubstadt, IN - USAC Sprint Cars - ISW
There is a group that travels and camps at the tracks, the most knowledgable member would be Sprinter, he is a little short legged and a little nervous at times(wears gloves to prevent from licking palms raw) but he has seen his share of races and would be willing to help you plan a most memorable week.

[Chris Nunn]

There is electric available at Brownstown