I don't know who to be more pissed off with. Belleville Midget Nationals for not having their races sanctioned by USAC, or USAC for scheduling a race on that weekend. I had this on my racing calendar, but now I have to really ponder what to do.

The other problem that I have is that I am normally a huge USAC supporter and a Belleville Nationals supporter. I know that the High Banks have been trying to determine a way to improve thier car counts and their show, and have decided to get away from the USAC sanction. By adding this show, USAC has a decent speed weeks in the heartland, and why should they allow Belleville to benefit from having the ability to use all of their drivers.

Not the way I wanted to start my day.

Here is the USAC Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 16,
2011

CONTACT: Dick Jordan

SPRINT CARS HEAD FOR EAGLE RACEWAY AUGUST 5; 6-RACE SWING INCLUDES
KNOXVILLE, OSKALOOSA, DODGE CITY & GRAIN VALLEY

USAC's AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series is headed to Nebraska for the first time in its history! The Friday night, August 5 race at Eagle Raceway near Lincoln will serve as the opener of a six-race swing Great Plains swing which continues at Knoxville, Iowa August 7,
Oskaloosa, Iowa August 9, Dodge City, Kansas August 12 and 13 and Grain Valley, Mo. August 14.

Eagle Raceway hosted 16 USAC National Midget races between 1987 and 2004 but the August 5 appearance will be the first for the Sprint cars at the banked one-third-mile dirt oval.

"We are thrilled to be bringing the "Thunder & Lightning" of USAC's AMSOIL Sprint Cars to Eagle," says USAC National Series Competition Director Dave Brzozowski. "Eagle has always produced exciting competition with USAC's Midgets and I can't wait to see the Sprint cars
in action on what is one of America's most competitive short tracks."

A total of 24 USAC events have been conducted in the Cornhusker State, the most recent being Midget events at Rising City and McCool Junction in 2009. The first Nebraska USAC events were at the now-defunct Midwest Speedway in Lincoln in 1974, both Midget races won by Steve Cannon.

USAC race winners at Eagle in the Midgets have included such luminaries as Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Jason Leffler, Tracy Hines, Dave Darland and Sleepy Tripp.

"USAC races at Eagle have always produced memorable competition," adds Eagle Raceway race organizer Roger Hadan. "We look forward to showcasing USAC's AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series at our track and hope to establish an annual event our fans can target each
year."

--USAC--

Would love to get back to Eagle,

There is not near as much crossover between USAC sprint point chasers and midget point chasers. It will however probably keep BC from going for 3 in a row at Belleville. I'm sure he isnt too happy about it. Besides him there is Hines and just a few others that are affected by this.

I went to a USAC midget show at Eagle some years back, when USAC listened to ESPN too much and put starters on the cars. Great track, should make for some fabulous traditional sprint car (non-wing) racing!

USAC have a new sprintcar Competition Director?? First time I have noticed that name.

I've been waiting to get back to Eagle myself for sprintcars and or midgets. I might have to venture out there,and luckily it doesnt go up against the "other" Belleville (Little Belleville) the following week.

Looks like I will have to do Belleville Thursday, Eagle Friday and back to Bellville Saturday.

[QUOTE=Andrew S. Quinn;217844]USAC have a new sprintcar Competition Director?? First time I have noticed that name.

Dave started at Ocala last month and did a great job. He's an asset for sure.

The problem is the drivers that do cross over are usually the top drivers. The other problem is the general lack of car counts in the midgets. if 6-10 cars stay home, it will deffinitely impact the quality of the show.

Eagle is only a couple of hours from Belleville. Is it possible that some drivers will run Eagle, then do Belleville Saturday night? I suppose that's wishful thinking on my part, but it could work. Belleville is an awful lot of money to pass up.

The sport has enough issues, especially with midgets to be fighting among themselves. What has the car count been in the last 3 years? This has been a race I have wanted to see but never gotten to yet. Hope they don't manage to kill it before I can get there.