Originally Posted by revjimk:
I met a guy who claimed to have been to 600 tracks...seemed honest enough! I went to 3 tracks as a kid, took a break for 40 years (!) & starting going to dirt track races again in 2010. Been to 30 tracks so far, have to travel cause Colorado is far from a hotbed

Pretty cool that you came back after 40 years! That is probably about the longest break I've heard of...😜

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Even with too many rain outs, I was able to hit 49 races this year. I have been going to quite a few races a year since 1982. I do not remember seeing more good races than this year. I did not see one bad show. I could not narrow it down to a top 5, but managed to pick my top 6.
6. Eldora May 12 USAC Sprints Been going to Eldora since 1982. That was the best race I have ever seen there.
5. Lawrenceburg June 10 USAC MidgetWeek A great race with many lead changes.
4. Terre Haute October 14 Another great race at Terre Haute, one of the best I have seen there.
3. Kokomo Klash night 1 Fantastic action from heats to feature
2. Montpelier September 29 USAC Sprints Great action from start to finish, with a great finish. Best surface I have seen there.
1. Kokomo USAC Sprint Smackdown One of the top 5 races I have ever seen.
Honorable mention goes to Terre Haute September 15 USAC Sprints, Waynesfield August 5 BOSS Jack Hewitt classic, December 16 Duquoin Junior Knepper 55 USAC midgets, March 18 Duquoin Shamrock Classic USAC Midgets.
Any other year any of the shows in my honorable mention list could have been race of the year. Sadly I had to miss the 2 Haubstadt USAC Sprint photo finishes or my list may have been different. Here's to a safe, great 2018

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by Kydehart:
Pretty cool that you came back after 40 years! That is probably about the longest break I've heard of...😜

Well, we moved from NYC to Shenandoah Valley of Virginny from 1960-66 (just south of Central Pa.) & I would bug my old man to take me to the dirt track races (the old coupes: jalopies, sportsmen, modifieds) In 1966 we moved back North, I went to 2 races on pavement & lost all interest. In 2010 I was visiting in upstate NYC, a friend gave me a Circle Track magazine that mentioned Central Pa. sprint scene. I was heading to southern Pa. the next day, looked for a race on the Internet (Clinton County, Pa, winged 360s, Gravel was just a beginner) When those cars accelerated out of the first turn, I was hooked. Next race for me was Sammy winning WG National Open
Took me a while to figure out I preferred wingless cars in a bullring... inspired by watching videos of Kokomo. Then I started going to Indiana...:31:

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by toledo47:
Its an interesting site, though numbers can be a little deceiving. Check tracks like Salem Indiana or Toledo Ohio on his list. They managed to count both of those tracks 4 times each due to figure 8 configurations, etc... Still impressive though

Well, i certainly don't share their obsession with going to hundreds of tracks, but its fun to see new ones & explore the good ole USA. Lots of them are in pretty scenic places. Last year i took the little St. Genevieve (?)ferry across the Mississippi to get from Farmington track to BelleClair (way cool!) I was just looking at Google Map photos of Fonda track in upstate NY... right next to Mohawk River, beautiful.... I'd like to check it out, maybe I can find a NY track thats not a follow the leader modified emporium....:29:
Actually 2 yrs. ago (ferry ride)... its 2018!

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Well, we moved from NYC to Shenandoah Valley of Virginny from 1960-66 (just south of Central Pa.) & I would bug my old man to take me to the dirt track races (the old coupes: jalopies, sportsmen, modifieds) In 1966 we moved back North, I went to 2 races on pavement & lost all interest. In 2010 I was visiting in upstate NYC, a friend gave me a Circle Track magazine that mentioned Central Pa. sprint scene. I was heading to southern Pa. the next day, looked for a race on the Internet (Clinton County, Pa, winged 360s, Gravel was just a beginner) When those cars accelerated out of the first turn, I was hooked. Next race for me was Sammy winning WG National Open
Took me a while to figure out I preferred wingless cars in a bullring... inspired by watching videos of Kokomo. Then I started going to Indiana...:31:

That's a pretty cool story of you regaining your interest in motorsports. I think sprint cars can be interesting to anyone. I've been hooked as long as I can remember. I was raised at dirt tracks on open wheel stuff, 100% traditional nonwing stuff. Other than going to IMS every May that was all I knew. Saw world of outlaws on tv back in the 90s but I didn't see my first winged sprint car race until the very first Let's Race Two at Eldora, and I enjoy them just as much.

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Well, i certainly don't share their obsession with going to hundreds of tracks, but its fun to see new ones & explore the good ole USA. Lots of them are in pretty scenic places. Last year i took the little St. Genevieve (?)ferry across the Mississippi to get from Farmington track to BelleClair (way cool!) I was just looking at Google Map photos of Fonda track in upstate NY... right next to Mohawk River, beautiful.... I'd like to check it out, maybe I can find a NY track thats not a follow the leader modified emporium....:29:
Actually 2 yrs. ago (ferry ride)... its 2018!

I agree, I love going to different tracks! Its always a fun new experience. I've been to over 150, have even made it out to one in your home state Colorado for a race!
I just don't get why they would count places like Toledo Speedway or Salem Speedway as 4 separate tracks on 1 persons list...

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by Kydehart:
That's a pretty cool story of you regaining your interest in motorsports. I think sprint cars can be interesting to anyone. I've been hooked as long as I can remember. I was raised at dirt tracks on open wheel stuff, 100% traditional nonwing stuff. Other than going to IMS every May that was all I knew. Saw world of outlaws on tv back in the 90s but I didn't see my first winged sprint car race until the very first Let's Race Two at Eldora, and I enjoy them just as much.

I always knew about sprint cars, but never got a chance to see them until 2010... I was curious. I did see WoO back in the 80s (90s?) on TV too

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

deleted

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Well, i certainly don't share their obsession with going to hundreds of tracks, but its fun to see new ones & explore the good ole USA. Lots of them are in pretty scenic places. Last year i took the little St. Genevieve (?)ferry across the Mississippi to get from Farmington track to BelleClair (way cool!) I was just looking at Google Map photos of Fonda track in upstate NY... right next to Mohawk River, beautiful.... I'd like to check it out, maybe I can find a NY track thats not a follow the leader modified emporium....:29:
Actually 2 yrs. ago (ferry ride)... its 2018!

Crossing the Mighty Mississippi. I was the only car, ferry held 9. Sign said "If ferry is on the other side, flash lights" Must have been a narrow stretch of river... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...ze=2048%2C1365

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Fonda Speedway, Mohawk River, bucket list: https://bangshift.com/wp-content/upl...5/05/fonda.png

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

This is what got me started, back in the 60s: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...f3a28cc36f.jpg

Originally Posted by revjimk:
This is what got me started, back in the 60s: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...f3a28cc36f.jpg

Those are sweet!

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Well, we moved from NYC to Shenandoah Valley of Virginny from 1960-66 (just south of Central Pa.) & I would bug my old man to take me to the dirt track races (the old coupes: jalopies, sportsmen, modifieds) In 1966 we moved back North, I went to 2 races on pavement & lost all interest. In 2010 I was visiting in upstate NYC, a friend gave me a Circle Track magazine that mentioned Central Pa. sprint scene. I was heading to southern Pa. the next day, looked for a race on the Internet (Clinton County, Pa, winged 360s, Gravel was just a beginner) When those cars accelerated out of the first turn, I was hooked. Next race for me was Sammy winning WG National Open
Took me a while to figure out I preferred wingless cars in a bullring... inspired by watching videos of Kokomo. Then I started going to Indiana...:31:

"inspired by watching videos of Kokomo"
Wingless sprints on a great bullring. It gets no better when it comes to grass roots racing. Hasn't changed much because its damn near perfect. I used to love the big block mod's in the late 60's and early 70's. All the cars were different and didn't weight much more then a sprinter. Now they are huge heavy sail panels on wheels. Thank God a nonwing sprint is still what it has always been.

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by toledo47:
I agree, I love going to different tracks! Its always a fun new experience. I've been to over 150, have even made it out to one in your home state Colorado for a race!
I just don't get why they would count places like Toledo Speedway or Salem Speedway as 4 separate tracks on 1 persons list...

On the TrackChaser main rankings there is a "Locations" column which shows how many unique places we have visited. If the track count bothers you, simply ignore it and look at the location count. Impressive numbers no matter how you look at them.

My brother thinks the same... that they shouldn't be counted more than once. Some people would argue that credit is deserved for seeing multiple track configurations. My opinion lies somewhere in between. One location on my list had a paved oval track that was converted to a temporary SODA off road truck and buggy circuit in the 80's. A completely different atmosphere. I would vote that counts as a second track, but where would I draw the line in other instances? It's not an easy call sometimes.

Years ago (before I joined), the TrackChasers group hashed out rules on how to count tracks. It was controversial, and a few members left the group and had their list of tracks removed from the site. The person who runs the group knows there is no perfect way to keep everyone happy, but the current method of counting tracks has been in place for awhile now and seems to be accepted. There are a number of reasons why a location is counted more than once - a change in track surface (asphalt/dirt), inner ovals and figure 8's within an outer oval, and a temporary road course on the site of an oval (as was the case with Toledo). Some examples are drastically different, while others seem trivial.

Earlier in this thread, I stated my count of 135, but nine of those are not recognized by the TC group, so you will see me listed with 126 tracks at 111 locations. It is what it is. Doesn't really bother me. I'm proud of my list either way. Recently however, we have been allowed to list non-countable track visits towards the bottom of our individual page.
My list: http://www.roamingtheraceways.com/ov...al.php?cid=162

The guys who have been to 1000 or more tracks have the means to travel almost every week of the year. One of them is Allan Brown, who sold his National Speedway Directory books at tracks across the country for many years. I wish I had his life!! I work 50 hours a week, but I manage to find a bleacher seat at a cool track as often as I can. I will say this... being part of the TC group has added a bit more fun to my hobby of being a race fan. And that's what really counts. :23:

My wife and I were able to attend 106 races this year up from 99 the previous year. We saw racing at 54 different tracks in 10 states and scored 26 new tracks to our list (see profile if interested in seeing the complete list). We also write for Hoseheads.com and moved to Indiana almost four years ago to be able to attend the best non-wing racing in the country on a regular basis. We visited Kokomo Speedway 14 times during 2017 and enjoyed every race there. Our three top races of 2017 were the USAC midgets at Macon (so much action you didn't know where to look), an awesome show. The USAC midget race at Susquehanna Speedway in PA was second with Justin Grant stealing the win on the last corner of the last lap as Spencer Bayston and Tanner Thorson ran each other to the limit on the last lap and both slid high in turn four. Tyler Courtney's first Kokomo win during Smackdown was a great race with him coming back from flipping earlier in the evening with Brady Bacon advancing from 18th to 2nd at the finish. As Mr. Goodnight stated earlier it was a good racing season with many quality shows witnessed.

Wishing everyone a healthy and Happy New Year and hoping that 2018 will be just as an exciting year of racing.

Bruce and Pat Eckel

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Nice thread to help start the New Year out with happy racing thoughts and the sub-zero wind chills howling outside here in the Michigan Winter Wonderland.
Great times with family members and friends help me with my race-chasing around a full time job and family. 20 different race tracks across only 3 states this year with MI-IN-OH. 6 new tracks for me moves me near 130 total live tracks.
-Biggest year for rainouts took me from first time at Williams Grove-PA along with Route 66 and Tri-City in IL. Also first time attempt rain outs at Manistee Fairgrounds-MI (twice!) and Baer Field-IN Dirt.
My racing group travels around as STAC (Short Track Action Club) that I organized several years back to have some fun.
*Top races to remember in 2017:
-Any SOD race with Ryan Ruhl and Chad Blonde going at it. (Butler and Hartford among others)
-A fantastic drive by Chad Blonde at Thunderbird from deep in the field, bouncing off the 3-4 turn wall multiple times riding the cushion and then pulling off the last lap pass for the win!
-First Little 500 at Anderson. LOVED IT....nuff said!
-Shady Hill with Lexi Adgate's big Feature Win in the Mini-Sprint. (wing/non-wing show and she nearly had the 2nd feature win also)
-Montpelier USAC show with 3 car last-lap scramble with a last lap pass for win!
-Mansfield 3 Main class show ($5000 ea. LM-Wings-NW) Awesome rim riding and slide jobs in all classes with several big name travelers on hand.
-Midvale-OH Must See Racing sprints slicing and dicing.
-Any other night with my butt in the stands..HELL Tour, Indoor racing, Speedrome, Mottville, Springport, Merritt, IMS, Attica, Plymouth, I-96, Berlin Dirt, Oakshade, Eldora........

Happy New Year in 2018 and Safe Travels to and from the race track!!
P.S. Remember to take a newbie in 2018 and support the growth of our great sport !!

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by toledo47:
I agree, I love going to different tracks! Its always a fun new experience. I've been to over 150, have even made it out to one in your home state Colorado for a race!
I just don't get why they would count places like Toledo Speedway or Salem Speedway as 4 separate tracks on 1 persons list...

Which track in Colorado? Only one I've been to was Calhan (El Paso County Raceway), & it was boring follow the leader both times. When i lived in the mountains in the 80s & early 90s, i would see ads in the Denver papers for midgets at Lakeside amusement park track, but never went... I could kick myself now, no more racing there

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by dirtinmynachos:
On the TrackChaser main rankings there is a "Locations" column which shows how many unique places we have visited. If the track count bothers you, simply ignore it and look at the location count. Impressive numbers no matter how you look at them.

My brother thinks the same... that they shouldn't be counted more than once. Some people would argue that credit is deserved for seeing multiple track configurations. My opinion lies somewhere in between. One location on my list had a paved oval track that was converted to a temporary SODA off road truck and buggy circuit in the 80's. A completely different atmosphere. I would vote that counts as a second track, but where would I draw the line in other instances? It's not an easy call sometimes.

Years ago (before I joined), the TrackChasers group hashed out rules on how to count tracks. It was controversial, and a few members left the group and had their list of tracks removed from the site. The person who runs the group knows there is no perfect way to keep everyone happy, but the current method of counting tracks has been in place for awhile now and seems to be accepted. There are a number of reasons why a location is counted more than once - a change in track surface (asphalt/dirt), inner ovals and figure 8's within an outer oval, and a temporary road course on the site of an oval (as was the case with Toledo). Some examples are drastically different, while others seem trivial.

Earlier in this thread, I stated my count of 135, but nine of those are not recognized by the TC group, so you will see me listed with 126 tracks at 111 locations. It is what it is. Doesn't really bother me. I'm proud of my list either way. Recently however, we have been allowed to list non-countable track visits towards the bottom of our individual page.
My list: http://www.roamingtheraceways.com/ov...al.php?cid=162

The guys who have been to 1000 or more tracks have the means to travel almost every week of the year. One of them is Allan Brown, who sold his National Speedway Directory books at tracks across the country for many years. I wish I had his life!! I work 50 hours a week, but I manage to find a bleacher seat at a cool track as often as I can. I will say this... being part of the TC group has added a bit more fun to my hobby of being a race fan. And that's what really counts. :23:

" If the track count bothers you, simply ignore it and look at the location count. Impressive numbers no matter how you look at them."... Makes sense to me. I guess if guys are obsessed enough to go to 1700 tracks, they're obsessed enough to quibble about details. Its all in fun...

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by WinglessLovers:
My wife and I were able to attend 106 races this year up from 99 the previous year. We saw racing at 54 different tracks in 10 states and scored 26 new tracks to our list (see profile if interested in seeing the complete list). We also write for Hoseheads.com and moved to Indiana almost four years ago to be able to attend the best non-wing racing in the country on a regular basis. We visited Kokomo Speedway 14 times during 2017 and enjoyed every race there. Our three top races of 2017 were the USAC midgets at Macon (so much action you didn't know where to look), an awesome show. The USAC midget race at Susquehanna Speedway in PA was second with Justin Grant stealing the win on the last corner of the last lap as Spencer Bayston and Tanner Thorson ran each other to the limit on the last lap and both slid high in turn four. Tyler Courtney's first Kokomo win during Smackdown was a great race with him coming back from flipping earlier in the evening with Brady Bacon advancing from 18th to 2nd at the finish. As Mr. Goodnight stated earlier it was a good racing season with many quality shows witnessed.

Wishing everyone a healthy and Happy New Year and hoping that 2018 will be just as an exciting year of racing.

Bruce and Pat Eckel

Wow... can I assume you're retired with a decent pension?
I think we met at Path Valley, no?
USAC midgets at Susky was my favorite race of the year too....

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Fonda Speedway, Mohawk River, bucket list: https://bangshift.com/wp-content/upl...5/05/fonda.png

From this photo, looks like car going too fast on Turn 2 could end up in the river.... wonder if its ever happened?

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by WinglessLovers:
My wife and I were able to attend 106 races this year up from 99 the previous year. We saw racing at 54 different tracks in 10 states and scored 26 new tracks to our list (see profile if interested in seeing the complete list). We also write for Hoseheads.com and moved to Indiana almost four years ago to be able to attend the best non-wing racing in the country on a regular basis. We visited Kokomo Speedway 14 times during 2017 and enjoyed every race there. Our three top races of 2017 were the USAC midgets at Macon (so much action you didn't know where to look), an awesome show. The USAC midget race at Susquehanna Speedway in PA was second with Justin Grant stealing the win on the last corner of the last lap as Spencer Bayston and Tanner Thorson ran each other to the limit on the last lap and both slid high in turn four. Tyler Courtney's first Kokomo win during Smackdown was a great race with him coming back from flipping earlier in the evening with Brady Bacon advancing from 18th to 2nd at the finish. As Mr. Goodnight stated earlier it was a good racing season with many quality shows witnessed.

Wishing everyone a healthy and Happy New Year and hoping that 2018 will be just as an exciting year of racing.

Bruce and Pat Eckel

106 races is really impressive... makes me think how impressive Brian Clauson's attempt at 200 was... & he had to do a lot more than watch! :23:

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Slight diversion: This is where it started for me, might be gone soon.... at the South end of Blue Ridge Parkway: http://www.eastsidespeedway.biz/speedwaynews.html

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Found this too... this old country boy was still racing at 74 in 2009
Check out Blue Ridge mountains in background of track.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QURatX2i84k

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Slight diversion: This is where it started for me, might be gone soon.... at the South end of Blue Ridge Parkway: http://www.eastsidespeedway.biz/speedwaynews.html

Tony Stewart to the rescue????

That is very impressive Bruce, especially with the amount of rainouts last season. I only had 54 and I think I saw you at most of those. I was down a few but I'm not real good at record keeping. Here's hoping '18 will be a great year. See you around the Ocala area in Feb.

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Well, we moved from NYC to Shenandoah Valley of Virginny from 1960-66 (just south of Central Pa.) & I would bug my old man to take me to the dirt track races (the old coupes: jalopies, sportsmen, modifieds) In 1966 we moved back North, I went to 2 races on pavement & lost all interest. In 2010 I was visiting in upstate NYC, a friend gave me a Circle Track magazine that mentioned Central Pa. sprint scene. I was heading to southern Pa. the next day, looked for a race on the Internet (Clinton County, Pa, winged 360s, Gravel was just a beginner) When those cars accelerated out of the first turn, I was hooked. Next race for me was Sammy winning WG National Open
Took me a while to figure out I preferred wingless cars in a bullring... inspired by watching videos of Kokomo. Then I started going to Indiana...:31:

Do you recall any of the tracks you attended when you lived in the Shenandoah Valley? Conococheague speedway now Hagerstown Speedway or Winchester might have been one's you could have easily gotten to. I started going to Hagerstown Speedway in 1965.

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

So 2017 was a good year for this guy race wise. I went to 21 races at 10 different tracks with 7 trips to Eldora as the most at any track. Down one race from 2016 which I went to 22. Got back to IMS for the first time in years to watch the Indy 500 and was reminded just how special that place really is. The race was great with lots of action. Made it back to T.H.A.T in 2017 for the first time in couple of years and the racing was great as well. But the high light for me for the 6th year in a row was the Kokomo Smackdown week with the final night being some of the best racing I've seen in along time. The feature was one of the best ever and full of drama and lead changes and battles through out the entire field. With all the restarts at the end and just how racing is you can lead all the laps you want but if you don't lead the last one then the other laps you led don't mean a whole lot. What a finish it was and afterwards was just completely nuts lol! Looking forward to many more adventures in 2018 and a goal of mine is to go to a few tracks that have never be to Next season. :):6::32:
_____________________
Scott McCloskey
BunkHouse Gang Member

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by davidm:
Do you recall any of the tracks you attended when you lived in the Shenandoah Valley? Conococheague speedway now Hagerstown Speedway or Winchester might have been one's you could have easily gotten to. I started going to Hagerstown Speedway in 1965.

The ones I went to were Eastside Speedway in Waynesboro (up for sale now) & Devil's Bowl outside of Staunton (long defunct). Winchester was the big rival to Eastside & their top dog Bill Nalley would come down to battle our star Smokey Stover.
My one visit to Hagerstown was a few years ago for Pa. Speedweek, race was slow, boring follow the leader, & after I read that my boyhood hero Smokey got seriously injured there, I'm not going back.
You should try to find a copy of self published book "Tales of the Track" by Steve Strosnider. It covers all those tracks & drivers, good pictures & stories.
The 3rd track I went to in my youth was Danbury, Ct. after we moved north in 1966. It had recently been paved, & 2 races there caused me to lose interest & begin my 40 year hiatus from dirt track racing

Originally Posted by revjimk:
Wow... can I assume you're retired with a decent pension?
I think we met at Path Valley, no?
USAC midgets at Susky was my favorite race of the year too....

Revjimk,

The answer to question one is yes. The answer to question two is yes and the Susky race was excellent from the beginning to the climatic ending.

Bruce Eckel

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Originally Posted by WinglessLovers:
Revjimk,

The answer to question one is yes. The answer to question two is yes and the Susky race was excellent from the beginning to the climatic ending.

Bruce Eckel

Hope to see you again this summer! :31:

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Went to 40 events this year, down from 60 last year, neither compare to the 90 to 100 races I used to be able to go to when I was shooting photos for NSSN and working official for URC and ARDC. Seven states (NJ, PA, IN, NY, DE, OH, and KY) with six new tracks. Lawrenceburg, IN for USAC Sprints, Woodhull, NY for 305 Sprints, Toledo, OH for USAC Silver Crown, Late Models at Florence Speedway, Union, KY, ARCA Stocks at Winchester, IN and 600's indoors on dirt at Trenton, NJ Arena. I agree with Bruce Eckel that USAC Midgets at Susquehanna was great! Biggest disappointment was USAC Midgets at Lanco, PA, especially after last years race. Why do Eastern tracks insist on pounding down the cushion? Surprise for me was the USAC Silver Crown show at Toledo, could have used a few more cars but there were three groups of cars (good, better, best) that ran together all night long which made for some interesting racing. I also finally saw a race at Winchester, IN with ARCA. Wow! I wished I could have seen USAC sprints or midgets there back in the day. Kyle Larson winning three PA Sprint Speedweek events was also neat. I actually saw more non-wing shows (15) that wing shows (13), two Indy Car Races (the 500 and Pocono) a few asphalt and dirt modifies races and two dirt late model shows for diversity. Really looking forward to enlarged USAC Eastern Storm, USAC Eastern Midget events, USAC-URC Non-Wing events and ARDC midgets next year. Disappointed that Silver Crown will not return to Williams Grove next year. New racing season starts for me Friday 1/5 and Saturday 1/6 with TQ's indoor at Allentown, PA

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

My first race was a cold one. 141 speedway Chill Chaser endro.
Temp of 2 degrees and a wind chill of -15, and it didn't get any warmer in the hour and a half they raced.
84 cars stared and about 40 finished. Winner check was $4,000. Next stop Tulsa for the Chili Bowl

Originally Posted by cornerthree:
My first race was a cold one. 141 speedway Chill Chaser endro.
Temp of 2 degrees and a wind chill of -15, and it didn't get any warmer in the hour and a half they raced.
84 cars stared and about 40 finished. Winner check was $4,000. Next stop Tulsa for the Chili Bowl

WOW!!! Temp of 2 degrees with wind chill of -15!!! You're a better man than me. That's dedication!! Enjoy the indoors at Tulsa.

Bruce Eckel

31 races mostly Indiana and Illinois. Quite a few new tracks including Fals,Fayette,Joliet, Springfield, in Illinois, Chandler,IN and Moberly,MO. Most were great first time experiences
(Minus the unfortunate events at Springfield). Highlights were Non wing returning to Williams Grove and Knoxville any race at Kokomo,Haubstadt or THAT.

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

Weather problems hurt me this year. Went to 37 events, down from my usual mid forty or higher. Started the season at the Southern Illinois Center with the Shamrock Classic and ended it there with the Junior Knepper 55. Hit my usual majors of the Indianapolis 500 (for my 53rd consecutive), The Brickyard 400, Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin and the Four Crown at Eldora.
Went to one new track, Gateway Motorsports Park for the Indy car race (my first ever under the lights). Made my usual regular stops at Bloomington, Putnamville, Haubstadt, Terre Haute, Lawrenceburg and Belle-Clair. Also hit the Silver Crown race at Salem, and one stop each at Brownstown and Paragon.
Not every event was an instant classic, but just being able to go the tracks and witness the competition and visit with fellow race fans is a treat in itself and I hope to continue doing so for sometime to come.

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

I was at 49, and the only reasonable chance to reach 50 was the Turkey Gobbler @ Moler, or a trip to Lake Cumberland, Ky, both Late Model/modified shows. Weather was favorable for Lake Cumberland (Moler Postponed), and my best friend growing up lives in Somerset, so I was able to catch up with him for a while and head south to the track for race #50. OK enough about late models. My 50 races (rainouts not included) were at 21 different tracks, which included IMS/32nd consecutive Indy 500, 28 USAC in 3 divisions, 5 MSCS (some Co-USAC), 4 BOSS, races at Kokomo (7), Lawrenceburg (6), Bloomington (5), Tri-State and Lincoln Park (4 ea), Eldora and Brownstown (3 ea), IMS and Montpelier (2 ea), Paragon, Lake Cumberland, Plymouth, Florence, LORP, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Route 44, Waynesfield, Salem and Du Quoin (1 ea). New tracks were Jacksonville, Illinois (POWRi Midgets) and Plymouth Speedway (USAC Sprints).:) Had 6 rainouts.:(

Re: Your 2017 Race Season
 

i lost count in August... i was somewhere in the 70s but then we went to 7 days at work and that really cramped my style.
started in Florida with the Bubba usac stuff and ended in upstate ny for the Gobbler. 8 states 20 different tracks 4 new ones.

Our racing family's had a great year of racing events. Looking forward to seeing all the great racing fans and racing teams and promoters in 2018 . Have fun and enjoy all the great things that we all love. God bless America. Thanks.