Forgot to ask where was the epperson ride? Kyle cummins? The-mez,?just sickening the lack of cars sad sad sad a Nd to think I sac was prestigious series at one time sad

Exactly dork boy

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

Do they still subtract purse money if car owner is not a USAC member? Used to be $100, I am sure that makes an owner feel welcome! Charge them more to get a pit pass and pay them less, "hell yea Bernie,load up the trailer "!!

I got a good laugh from this thread. Goodness. Happy Thursday.

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

They should make it a weekend show with the dirt cars. Mid week you're asking the locals to support the show and that's not gonna happen. It's tough to risk the weather and lose sleep before work . Then you factor the young crowd can only spread so much cash with so many nights of racing this weekend. Most of all folks say a prayer the soldier's that gave all this weekend so we have the freedom to choose where we go and enjoy. Veteran's day is for active duty and those who served, this day is for who gave the ultimate. Semper Fi ..

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

Epperson has slowed down their racing program the last couple years, But still field a car when they're up to it. They pretty much announced this a couple years ago.

Kyle Cummins runs a full time business and it's far from the first time he's missed USAC shows, As they say, No Bucks, NO Buck Rodgers. I love the fact that he cares more about his long term goals, than a night or two of racing that could hurt or put business behind. He still puts on a hell of a race when he's out there.

There were also other's missing, Tyler Thomas and others.

Many of the teams that race are one car or one motor or both teams. Most work full time The schedule is brutal for that kind of team. And some of these trips are in the tens of thousands in cost.

Like others said, I've seen some lower budget teams take podiums at THAT, But not on a tacky track.

Congrats to Chase Stockon, Nothing should take away from that. Enjoy your riffle. still one of the coolest trophy's there is.

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

The thing I think hurting racing everywhere is this: shows running too long.

Now Terre Haute last night ran pretty quick but there were only 3 heats and a feature. I am sure a Wednesday night doesn't help much.

As a fan I would pay more to see -- time trials, 4 heats, consi, feature and go home. Hopefully 32 cars. Even three heats works with good cars. I hear a lot of complaints that people don't like to sit on wood bleachers from 5:30 to 11:30. Get rid of the support classes and run sprint car races.


I love going to Terre Haute to races but I can't remember the last time sprint car's ran on Saturday night there. Tough for out of towners, out of state folks to make a Wednesday night race. I realize this race was part of the Indy week, hopefully Indy fans drove down.

You left before the feature because there was nothing to watch? I bet if you hold your hand over your left eye at the start of the feature you won’t even notice the missing cars!

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

The stands were pretty darn full last night. Very good crowd for a mid week show. For the guy that left after the heats, Really?!?! You missed the feature and a good modified show! Got to remember that 1; this wasn't Indiana Sprint Week, and 2; most of the weekend warriors have day jobs that pay their bills ( mortgage, food, water, etc...). Some are just going to gripe if the car count is to low and it's a quick show, others are going to gripe if there's a large car count and they don't leave the track until 11-12.

We were glad to be able to just see a race! Hats off to the track crew for the job they did.
Let's hope they can do the same tonight,we're heading north around noon.
Tomorrow is the Josh Burton Memorial,
MCSC Sprints,purse keeps climbing,$4000.00 to win,$1000.00 for Modifeds.
Everyone have a Happy & Safe Memorial Day weekend,let's not forget the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

Kudos to the track crew for delivering a pretty darn good track considering all of the rain we had. Too all of the nay-sayers, you missed a damn good race with the best non-wing drivers in the world, your loss. Don't believe USAC missed your $25. Much rather see that race leaving at 10 pm verses at 3am Paragon Marathon. Appreciate what you got and if you stayed home and watched on FLO verses going to track, unless unusual circumstances abound, you are part of the problem. Congrats to Chase Stockon for the Big Gun Win!

I don't understand why they rescheduled the Eldora USAC race for a Wednesday night, I won't be able to go and why can't you use your wristbands to get in at the 4 crown?

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

So, we both go to a Steak House ,we both order a 16 oz rib eye....when the salad comes ( heat races) yours has no cheese, or dressing, but mine is complete...when the steak comes yours is only 10oz, but mine is 16 oz (no semi)....the steak is average ( last nights feature was average at best, yes, there was a few that put on a little bit of a show, but that was just the way it played out, good track, average show). We both pay the same amount...are you going to get on yelp and rave about how great your meal was?

If I am the problem, its not the 1st time ( that makes me laugh). If there are several like me ( and there are) , that want a complete show (meal) or we keep our money...then there is the problem and it is not mine!

Lost in all of my post was giving credit to the twitter post giving me the heads up from a car owners wife after last Saturday!

All I got from your post is that the guy that actually went to the race got steak while you stayed home with your bologna.

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

Absolutely believe that, thanks for sharing.

Funny stuff right there!

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

The track stayed fast all the way to the very end and that usually presents a challenge, because everybody's fast. Guys were turning qualifying speeds up until the very end. So, after a while all the top contenders were just chasing one another. Leary was on the hunt and was the fastest car on the track, at the time he slowed to a stop. He had just passed Ballou and was catching Courtney quickly, at the time. And Grant ended up 5th, but that doesn't tell the whole story, because at one point, he brought out a yellow and had to go go the back, so he ended up passing most the field. Isaac Chapple ran a good race again, just like he did at Granite City this past weekend. And both winged guys (Balog and May) made a nice accounting for themselves. So, it wasn't one of those Action Track Instant Classics. Wasn't one of the worst, either.

Now, as far as the complaining on the thread is concerned, a couple of the people mainly come here to complain. And people take that into consideration. Even though one of them is someone who is in the know and always lays his points out well. The third guy who raised issues, non wing lover. That's a race fan's race fan, right there. One that I've always thought outranks me, in hierarcy of race fans. And if he's raising issues, like with EF Hutton in the 70's commercials, they'd better listen. And finding ways to get more non-regular teams to come and compete at their events was a glaring issue last night and probably the most important riddle they must solve to insure their future.

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

Anyone who doesn't believe the stunt pulled by Track Ent at Granite City was at least partially to blame for the car count is delusional. It appears that they pulled the plug so not having to pay the purse (yes from what was relayed as far as butts in the stands would have been a big loser) resulting in nobody getting paid for their efforts. I commend the racers for standing up for themselves.

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

:3::3::3::5::3::3::3:
Last night was bologna too as it was a real off night for Floracing. Bad audio all night, then no audio, and then 10 second delayed audio in the features. Oh well, they can't all be winners.

Joe thank you, expressed my thoughts exactly. I sat in front of some guys that had never been to a sprint car race before, and they thought it was insane cool. (Also saw DD in stands, and Pippa Mann.) Well worth the trip from Cincy for me. Was wondering why DD didn’t just race his own car?

Believe DD hurt a motor last weekend in his car

First, compliments and thanks to the TEI and THAT crews that worked their butts off to turn a track that was a mud hole at noon in to a darn fine racing surface by 6:30 PM. The easy thing for them would have been to cancel, but they didn’t.

Yes, I would have liked to have seen 28-30 cars for the nights events, but I’ve been around the sport long enough to know that the numbers go up and down over the course of the season. The heats were entertaining. Yes, Stockton led wire to wire, but never was it a real runaway, and if you watched from about 5th-12th they put on an absolute donnybrook of a battle. And CJ Leary restarted 14th or 15th with seven to go and finished 9th. While it would be nice if every feature ended with a photo finish for first rarely does that happen, and you darn sure don’t need 30 cars for it to happen, just two.

Finally, let’s not lose track of one other important fact here....not all that long ago THAT was all but dead and buried. Were it not for a groundswell of support and some intervention by TEI and others, the Vigo County Fairgrounds would have have NO racing and the Action Track would just be a memory! So, complain and moan about short fields and everything else, but I am thankful that I got to see 20 cars and another race at the legendary Terre Haute Action Track!

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

This is probably hurting USAC car count more than most people know, even though the Granite City incident is getting more attention right now....I am sure this rule was implemented with good intentions back in the day as they were trying to protect the drivers who supported them every race. But in today's world with low car counts, this needs to be removed. I know that in our case when we run with USAC, it is very irritating to know that we have to pay more for higher pit passes just to get into the gate...then get paid less at the pay window....No,,,,then wait 6-8 days for a check...that is very tough on small teams.

I think USAC should offer some incentives for small teams or non-members to come and run with them. The old saying "to be the best, you have to run against the best" don't help pay the bills. Maybe something like a free pit pass for the driver for the first 3 shows or something else to entice us "local" guys to run with them. I have heard that Spridge and Levi have helped some teams out in the past, but it is very low key and hasn't been made public. If it has been made public, then I apologize for not staying up to date. Been kind of out of the game for a little while with motor issues.

Is it common for sanctioning bodies charge non members extra for pit passes and subtract purse money?

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

I don't know what ya'll think or even if USAC's insurance is as good as it once was. But whatever the membership is or fee to have it is well worth it if you get messed up bad.
co
I remember Staab saying it paid everything but the helicopter cost and even paid half his normal salary when he got messed up bad at Kansas. That was a bankruptcy type accident and he came away owing a couple grand for a chopper ride was able to heal and get paid while he was healing.

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

How can you say this if you don’t really know the benefits?
Are you assuming again or do you have facts?
I have no clue how good USAC insurance is and I will not speculate.

I just erased a three paragraph diatribe about the carping that goes on here about any perceived slight from an attended race. I did so because I was falling into the negative pit some of you swim in. I’m no Pollyanna, but negativity has become systemic in this country and really serves no purpose, particularly here where there are so many posters who are boosters and who care enough about there favorite sport to accept the occasional imperfection without complaint. I, for one, will focus on the many positives and will ignore those of you who choose negativity as your saber to rattle. It truly serves no useful purpose.

I love Terre haute action track I just hope they don't build the proposed casino on that property stop yet bitchin we've lost the fairgrounds that was rich in tradion gone to horse and ponies shows we do not want to lose another track rich I n tradition that being Terre haute

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

It's looking unlikely that the casino would end up there. Just last week, when they were doing the grand opening for a new hotel off the other Terre Haute exit (exit 12), local developer Greg Gibson said that was where the casino should be. And he heads up the group that will more like than not, end up with the gaming license. Plus, they just picked the property right behind the mall as the location for the new Vigo County jail. So, that area is getting ready to be even more congested than it already is.

https://www.newsandtribune.com/india...de1ffab4c.html

Jerry

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

First, the promoter/track sets the pit pass prices. Second, most sanctioning bodies USAC, Woo, All Stars as part of their sanctioning agreement have a clause where their members get a discounted pit pass (usually $5-10 cheaper) or free pit passes to so many members per car.

To my knowledge USAC is the only sanctioning body that subtracts a $100 from non members feature purse. Now Woo mandates you must be a member to even race with them so you have to pay a $150 membership fee to even pull your first pill draw. Other local tracks or smaller sanctioning bodies have a $20 or $30 entry fee at pill draw.

Thank you

Re: USAC National Sprints @ Terre Haute?!
 

Charles might not have firsthand knowledge, but I do. USAC's insurance if you are injured is the best you will find anywhere and worth every penny of the membership fee. I was injured at the Belleville nationals and spent the night in the hospital there. All of the expenses (ambulance, E.R., doctors, hospital expenses, CT scans, MRI's, etc.) were all covered 100%. I never paid a dime for any of it and no one ever even asked for my personal health insurance along the way. USAC's insurance paid it all. I'm sure the bills would have amounted to well over $15,000 based on what I've seen for other family members bills from other things. I'm am so glad that I had their coverage and would tell anyone and everyone that the smartest money they could ever spend would be on the USAC membership with the insurance.

Good to hear firsthand from someone who has used it. Sorry you had to use it but good to hear that they have good coverage.Thanks for the facts.
Maybe your testimony here will convince others to become USAC members and run with them.

Been following this thread. Negativity can certainly be a detriment, however, to ignore obvious short-comings is also a problem. Sort of like a teacher never grading your work. I know of very few endeavors where things are not evaluated for quality.

Random question not intended to derail the thread: the USAC members’ insurance only covers injuries incurred in a USAC race, right? I only ask since the guys racing for a living tend to run a lot of non-USAC stuff as well. When I got hurt at Paragon, I was lucky to have great primary coverage through my wife’s work. She had already covered our deductible that year, so it was all at 80/20. The track’s supplemental covered the 20%. All I paid out pocket was under $500 in the end; if I had pushed on co-pay for physical therapy it might have been under $100. All I could think about after the fact was the number of times I strapped in with $0 of my own insurance.

I believe USAC's coverage through its membership and pit passes is strictly for USAC sanctioned events.

If you expect to have 32 plus cars at every race you will need a time machine and have to go back about 15-20 years! In 2019, not gonna happen. But, the racing was great! Especially in the heats before they got the track smoother. Feature was good with Stockon holding them off and Leary and Short coming from the back after blown tires. It was just cool to see the "Action" back in the Action Track with some ruts and heaviness early on. The modifieds filled out the show nicely and the good racing they provided made it a "full show" with 5 heats and two a-mains.
Finally,I hope the moderator of this site bans the troll that claims he left early. This person is obviously a wing fan bashing USAC for no good reason. People on here need to ignore posts like that and laugh it off, not make any more comments about it.