[treecitytornado]

9 RACES AT 4 TRACKS FOR 2011 PAVEMENT SPRINTS

The 2011 USAC pavement Sprint car slate currently includes nine races at four tracks, including the return of the popular “Thursday Night Thunder” program at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, Ind.

One of USAC’s most popular programs ever, the “Thursday Night Thunder” series produced sensational talent and racing action in the 1980s and a total of six pavement Sprint races are on the 2011 slate for the .686-mile paved oval.

The pavement calendar kicks off May 12 and is scheduled to conclude October 13, both races at ORP. In between, events are also scheduled at the Salem and Winchester (Ind.) Speedways and at the Toledo (Ohio) Speedway.

All four pavement tracks involved in the 2011 schedule have extensive USAC heritage. Winchester has hosted 138 USAC Sprint events, while Salem has witnessed 104, ORP 77 and Toledo 30.

2011 USAC PAVEMENT SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE

5/12 – Indianapolis, IN, O’Reilly Raceway Park
6/16 – Indianapolis, IN, O’Reilly Raceway Park
7/1 – Toledo, OH, Toledo Speedway
7/7 – Indianapolis, IN, O’Reilly Raceway Park
TBA – Winchester, IN, Winchester Speedway
8/6 – Salem, IN, Salem Speedway
8/18 – Indianapolis, IN, O’Reilly Raceway Park
9/8 – Indianapolis, IN, O’Reilly Raceway Park
10/13 – Indianapolis, IN, O’Reilly Raceway Park


I was under the impression that USAC would not have any Pavement races for the Sprint Cars but as you can see they are! I guess it will be a separate championship for Pavement and not count toward National Points. Bring on Thursday Night Thunder!!

[D.O.]

Why would you be under that impression? Nobody connected to USAC ever said Pavement was gone? Somebody saw a preview of the dirt schedule and started the rumor that there was no pavement on that schedule which was true. Remember USAC made a seperate Pavement and dirt Championship last year and both races where on one schedule. This year USAC put out seperate schedules cause not everybody is a dirt racer so they could plan their season.

[spankytoo]

This is a Regional series. Therefore regional payouts. Can't get cars now and then you cut the purse?

[Seadog]

Originally Posted by spankytoo This is a Regional series. Therefore regional payouts. Can't get cars now and then you cut the purse?

Were does this info come from? Heresay? Do you have a link to these "facts"?

You could be correct, but maybe not. If you are right, please accept my apology for doubting what you said.

[treecitytornado]

I know they did separate champs this season but still had an overall national champ that ran both. As much as I love dirt and haven't ran pavement for a few years, I still think the overall national champ should be the best of both worlds. JMO.

[ASPHALT24]

sad to see only one usac race at winchester again this year. back in the day roger had three sprint-midget doubleheaders, and 4-6 stand-alone events for either the sprints or midgets in a single season. the doubleheaders were the best, lots of drivers doing double duty. didn't matter how many cars showed up, roger always filled the stands when usac rolled into winchester. my how times have changed....

[767]

Hopefully this will help rejuvinize the pavement program, having 6 races right there in Indy. Facts are USAC has to get this program back to the point where it can drawl 25 to 30 cars at each event. Its really a joke when you show up and see just enough cars to fill the feature, but they still run a consolation events. Those races turn into a big follow the leader race. Nothing to race for. I actually think this is one of the smartest moves they have made.

[Charles Nungester]

1200 to win, So it cost a team a with a two hundred mile round trip 400 just to get the car there and back, pay driver, tires, fuel, wear, You couldn't even break even with a win. Not saying a regional wouldn't work, But IMHO its doing everything it can to keep names and existing teams OUT.

Your going to associate the name Thursday Night Thunder, Pay a USAC purse or the TV cost to make sponsors happy. You certainly aren't going to charge less.

[terrehautian]

I wonder if USAC has someone to replace Dean Mills yet? I sure hope they continue to stream without him.

[Seadog]

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester 1200 to win, So it cost a team a with a two hundred mile round trip 400 just to get the car there and back, pay driver, tires, fuel, wear, You couldn't even break even with a win. Not saying a regional wouldn't work, But IMHO its doing everything it can to keep names and existing teams OUT. Your going to associate the name Thursday Night Thunder, Pay a USAC purse or the TV cost to make sponsors happy. You certainly aren't going to charge less.

Where did USAC say $1,200.00 to win? I didn't read this. Do you have a link to it? Is this a fact or a rumor? Heresay? Whatcha say Chuck?