When did Sunday afternoon racing die

david mitchell · 9/26/16, 8:49 PM

Eldora, New Bremen, Winchester, Dayton,Salem,Terre Haute,etc.all ran Sunday afternoons for years. When and why did this stop.IT's like we can't run in the day anymore.I want any and all explanations on why this is the case.Other than a few dirt champ races the entire usac schedule is night.Same way with most other sanctioning bodies.Sunday afternoons always meant USAC sprint car racing.

snoopy · 9/26/16, 9:26 PM

Three things.
Napcar (In it's hayday) was on tv most sundays.
Indy car about died.
All americans got used air conditioning. Never used to see races cancelled for heat.

BrentTFunk · 9/26/16, 9:27 PM

Air conditioning, bigger motors, bigger tires

Bill Angel · 9/26/16, 9:48 PM

I'm guessing when tracks were prohibited from using calcium chloride.

Charles Nungester · 9/26/16, 9:56 PM

When calcium Chloride was banned to reduce dust
When Tire rules preventing using a tire that would last.

badcoupe · 9/26/16, 10:03 PM

Def dust and moisture, we ran the same track this last Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The dust/lack of visibility and poor track conditions made for a miserable day.

btg1963 · 9/26/16, 10:21 PM

I hate to admit it, but just like the Indycar series, the local tracks can't afford to buck the NFL in the fall... It's too easy to sit at home with the TV on.... But that's not all of it...

I agree with Charles... Dust control is tough in the daytime...

Many folks were complaining about last weekend's race at Eldora. In the years prior to 1985, we had the World 100 on Sunday afternoon. We chewed a little dust, but the racing was great. Switched to Saturday night, or, as we saw this past weekend with the 4-Crown, Saturday/Sunday, and it has turned into a drunk fest. Years ago, our local track switched from Saturday nights to Sunday afternoons once the weather got a little chilly. It was a great time to take the FAMILY to the racetrack. Would you want to take a 10 year old kid to the 4-crown or World 100 under today's Saturday night scheduling?

Rhody · 9/26/16, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Angel

I'm guessing when tracks were prohibited from using calcium chloride.

I third this motion.

ThrowbackRacingTeam · 9/26/16, 10:58 PM

Pavement racing died out. Terre Haute and Eldora switched to a more powdery type of dirt that is more dusty at night and unraceable during the day. As far as calcium chloride, I know of one track that still uses it according to a track employee I spoke with. I actually like it and have seen many good day races. They have a different atmosphere that seems more prestigious for special races. Another plus is getting home early or catching another race that night. I remember some big crowds during the day, especially at Winchester. I quit watching the NFL so I'm free on Sunday's!

oljonesy · 9/27/16, 12:00 AM

winchester lives.come over sunday the 9th.not open wheel,too fast for todays drivers,but real racing none the less.

9/26/16, 8:49 PM	#1 When did Sunday afternoon racing die
david mitchell Banned Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 333	Eldora, New Bremen, Winchester, Dayton,Salem,Terre Haute,etc.all ran Sunday afternoons for years. When and why did this stop.IT's like we can't run in the day anymore.I want any and all explanations on why this is the case.Other than a few dirt champ races the entire usac schedule is night.Same way with most other sanctioning bodies.Sunday afternoons always meant USAC sprint car racing.

9/26/16, 10:03 PM	#6
badcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,000	Def dust and moisture, we ran the same track this last Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The dust/lack of visibility and poor track conditions made for a miserable day.

9/26/16, 10:58 PM	#9
ThrowbackRacingTeam Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,001	Pavement racing died out. Terre Haute and Eldora switched to a more powdery type of dirt that is more dusty at night and unraceable during the day. As far as calcium chloride, I know of one track that still uses it according to a track employee I spoke with. I actually like it and have seen many good day races. They have a different atmosphere that seems more prestigious for special races. Another plus is getting home early or catching another race that night. I remember some big crowds during the day, especially at Winchester. I quit watching the NFL so I'm free on Sunday's!

9/27/16, 12:00 AM	#10 Re: When did Sunday afternoon racing die
oljonesy Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 246	winchester lives.come over sunday the 9th.not open wheel,too fast for todays drivers,but real racing none the less.