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I am no track prep guy or have I ever prepped one.
Maybe they are lacking equipment there but still even if that is true they should have found some.

IMHO I would have dug the track up pretty deep and let it rain on it.
let all the free water get deep down in the surface. Then start wheel packing that thing when the sun came up. Even if it is a bit snotty in places you can still scrape it off a bit. Would have caused a rut or two? Maybe, but they didn't call it terrarut for nothing.

I grew up at MANZY and back in the day they worked that track at least 3 days before a show. If you showed up early the track would look way way to wet to race on but after an hour of wheel packing it was close enough to let the sprinters wheel pack it to their liking.

Were the cars just covered in mud after wheel packing? Sure... put that stuff scrapes right off if you put in a little effort. I remember walking across the track after all the A mains were done and the track could suck the shoes off your feet.

If MANZY could keep a tacky track with a nice cushion in the desert from hell there is no reason they could not have done this at TH today.

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The fair board had their chance until they hosed the O'Conners. After the way the last two races went under their direction, last year, you'd think the fair board would get smart, it didn't.

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When they started to regrade the track after the red flag you could see there was still moisture under the surface, they just packed it too much.

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with out the fair board nothing can be done so I guess it is a lost cause a promoter needs at least a 3 year contract to even think about taking a chance and the fair board needs to invest in some repairs But That ain't going to happen

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I noticed that, too. I was standing there thinking I might be in a "Twilight Zone" episode. With an jolt of irony right before the credits roll. Only they were a half hour long, not SEVEN HOURS!!!!

Jerry

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My 2 cents worth, it was a TOTAL USAC deal. they were the promoter, the concessions, the track prep...everything. The inch or more of rain wasn't the problem, it was the fact that the track wasn't worked...PERIOD. They (USAC) or their crew could not have worked on the track all week, as is required for a day race, because if you looked real close, there was grass growing in turn 4. The rain was THE EXCUSE, not the problem .
Don't blame the the track, blame the morons at USAC (morons is the kind term, I was going to say dumb f..cks). I, like Jason McCord, have fond memories of my father, unfortunately, he's dead, just like day racing, I KIND OF THOUGHT THAT WAS THE REASON USAC WASN'T GOING TO COME BACK IN THE 90'S AND MR. HOPTON HAD THE F' ING LIGHTS PUT UP!!!!

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There is always a bright side. You could've watched Scott Bloomquist win the last two nights in a row like I have. :34:

I hate to see this happen at the THAT. Definately some poor decisions were made. Today, nobody was a winner. USAC and THAT got horrible press, drivers didn't make any money and the fans are pissed.

Fortunately Sprint Week starts in less than a week. Good time to redeem themselves. See you'll there

P.S.- Yes, I admitted that I am also a fan of dirt late models. Might as well admit that I like winged sprints too, just not as much as non-wing!
Guess I am just a fan of dirt track racing in general:6:

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This is right on the money. There just is not enough time to fix this mess before sprint week. Moving it to Putnamville would be a smart and logical move. It would only cause more damage to have another show like they had today. I think it would at least show the fans that USAC is trying to do the right thing.

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USAC = USUC when they pushed cars off the knew what was going to happen Thomas is very lucky, glad he is ok but none of the drivers should have been put in that spot today :deadhorse:

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Oh now.... It couldn't have been that bad. :5: Wow, those are some ugly photos and video.

:).
Posted via Mobile Device

---------- Post added at 10:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 PM ----------

A picture is worth a thousand words!!! Vote Putnamville for sprint week!!!
; )
Posted via Mobile Device

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Bill,

As you can see, you can't see a thing.:5::14::10:

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lps IS MY VOTE ALSO

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I had a bad feeling it would end up like this. can't use calcium chloride is one reason not to run a day race on dirt in the midwest in the heat of the summer. glad i went to Toledo and watched some really good feature racing last night and didn't drive 300 more miles. Indiana sprint week should help heal the wounds. Kevin are you listening? i must be one of the others....

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i say stick with terre haute ,we need atleast one 1/2 mile track for sprint week.

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I've been enjoying a day with family... so I guess I'm just like the rest of you... I didn't see a thing.

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[/COLOR]
A picture is worth a thousand words!!! Vote Putnamville for sprint week!!!
; )
Posted via Mobile Device[/QUOTE]


GET OVER IT!! Putnamville does not have a Sprint Week race this year. Some of you people need to get on with your lives instead of trying to push LPS for a Sprint Week show all the time.

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Ekohl what's the beef with the Put ? A bad day there was better then anything I saw at THAT today.

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This has been my thinking exactly. First, on the race today: What experienced racing fan gave this arrangement even a thread of a chance to be anything other than a debacle? It's the 21st Century. Tracks have lights now as a result of NEEDING to race at night. This event was debcale-doomed from its conception. And that real estate is simply going to become something else in the near future. It is too valuable a tract of land in a high-commercial area. I expect the facility's failure is a welcome result to some in charge (and obviously tired of being in charge of such an enterprise)

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You obviously weren't there saturday night.

---------- Post added at 01:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:21 AM ----------

]]
You obviously weren't there saturday night.

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Not 100% on what I heard, but what I did hear, it isn't as simple as the fair board wanting to sell the land. (don't ask what I heard, as I don't want to spread rumors that are very specific and could be untrue) There could be provisions in the occasion the fair board wants to sell it that they can't. I hope there is, but there is only a few people who know for sure.

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Here's the video guys:

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My Dad worked for USAC from before I was born till I was almost 13 Years old. He was Chief Steward of the Midgets until 97. So I have seen just about every race track imaginable traveling with him growing up. I can honestly say that my Dad would be highly dis-appointed in the way USAC represented themselves on Saturday night. All the guys he worked with at USAC would have never allowed a race like that to even come close to happening.

After watching that video USAC needs to take a hard look at their future in this sport because their decision making abilities here in recent years are making the club a joke any more. I just hope they take this one to heart and realize that they need to hire some people like they use to have working for them, like when I was growing up, or they will end up with no fans or cars showing up for any shows.

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All I can say about that video is :8:T-Mez.Sums the day up better than anyone else could.It's a shame the only way to watch the big cars is through an organization that seems dead set on destroying them.

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Spent a wonderful day on Hidden Valley Lake, Grilled out on the beach, Swam in the lake three times. Took part in a Pontoon Boat Parade for over a hour and finished off with a decent fireworks show.

Don't regret it at all.

As for that, Im sad that it turned out that way. Can't blame Eldora as they did the prep at their track and told USAC to have at it both openers, This year and last. This ones all on USAC :(

Last year I went and it had rained all night and all morning. Sargent had sealed the track the night before but he had watered it and worked it too. About one pm he said we were going to race that night and I'll be damned if he didn't water it some more. Was a great evening of racing, Sprint week 2010

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and what was wrong with saturday may i ask

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well at least the fair will be going on and the kids will have something to do while the parents sit for 7 hours and visit waiting on cars to come to the track oh it won't be that long at least this time the Curfew will save the poor Fan and also if that track ain't a whole lot better I will bet you the Drivers and Owners will halt the show

---------- Post added at 06:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:04 AM ----------

Hey if you don't like putnamville then move it to Paragon they have put on some good shows I Just say don't take a chance and screw everyone again either move it or cancel it and no one wants a show lost during sprint week Putnamville is just my Choice it will be a hell of a deal if USAC sits on there ass all week and then come Tuesday or even Wednesday and cancels do to the fact you can't get it ready

you don't need a 1/2 mile track to sit and drink beer and visit you can do that in your own back yard for FREE

I still think that you write this year off at the action Track and Get some people together and get it ready for next year or I think if you go again and and strike out it will be the end of the place

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Usac ended the day with a very nice bank account,Get It.

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Shortbus. You misunderstand. I was responding to the guy saying get over it, Sataurday was amazing.

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ooops sorry

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How does the IL state fair put on a good race most years?

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Anybody that was there has every right to say everything and anything they want. It was a total mess and facts are facts. No need to restate all has been said. I knew when I left the house, chances were that it wouldn't be the best race I have seen this year (thought I would at least see a race though). I did get to take my little boy to the infield which is really the only reason I still went. He loved watching the cars (you could actually see them in quals and practice) so that was the ONLY thing that was good. He had a great day.

Here is what I don't like after the whole deal: GIVE PEOPLE THEIR MONEY BACK IF THEY WANT IT BACK (I didn't re-read this whole post, just going by what was announced at the track...so if something changed I haven't seen it). I understand business and why tracks want you to just use your ticket again. I normally have no issue with that. In this case, I think you should be able to mail your tickets in for a refund. Don't MAKE people go back if they don't want to. USAC f-ed up IMO so they should man up and give people their money back if that's how someone wants to handle it. Eldora gave you that choice and I think that is only fair with what happened.

Finally, don't blame THAT. THAT is a thing. Things can't make decisions, people do. THAT could be a great track every time out if the right person was grooming it. I love THAT and just wish somebody (whoever that somebody is) with the fair board would get their head out of their ASS and give THAT a chance to be great. I GUARANTEE if the O'Connor's or Tommy H (people that have worked the track before) would have been prepping the track, there would have been racing. Can't convince me otherwise.

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Thanks for the pictures and video's.

I agree totally with the statement if the Silver Crown division is the paramount series within the organization, they sure run it like the Keystone Cops.

I did not go to Terre Haute, as I knew a day race would be a total fiasco.

I hope they fix it, but I rather doubt it. A real shame, half miles are all but gone......

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Does anyone actually know who was in charge of "track prep"? I know we all heard about various people from Bubby Jones to Tom Helfrich to the O'Connells...but was it ever announced on who was in charge or maintaining the track?

Tim Wolffrum aka Cowboy

over 20 thousand hits on this thread....that has to be close or maybe even is a record on IOW

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As I left the grandstand before show was canceled, I looked at the ticket booth for a refund. The note on the window said "No Refunds" and 7 Sheriffs were stationed in front of booth..........USAC had done deposited their loot for the day.....Kind of like a hold-up........isn't it?

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I haven't heard anybody complain about the food... Well besides that a corndog was $3.50! The reason i say this is because the fair board member i talk to said that is the reason they picked usac. They had already signed a multi-year contract for the concessions and could not get out of it.... Lets just hope they get somebody in there that can do the job. It looked to me like jason smith was the one making the calls and i would never let that happen again!!! I still had a good day although sunburnt. It was great talking with and seeing old friends. They should pit them there for every race and let the fans walk through before the racing starts. The teams i talked to liked it so they could still work out of the trailers and sell more t-shirts. Can't wait for sprint week!!!

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The polish sausage was bad and very overpriced.It was tough and dry.

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I was at THAT yesterday and have slept on my opinion of what I witnessed.

As was the case with many others I drove a long way (410 round trip) and made a fairly substantial monetary commitment of discretionary funds to attend the Sumar. I am not going to berate any further the people who were responsible for the decision making in regards to the race. That has been justifiably done ad nauseam and I wish not to pile on. I am pretty sure the people who are responsible know what happened and why and I'm sure they feel terrible. At least I think they probably do.

What pains me the most is that these Silver Crown cars and the races they compete in are a passion for me. And most everybody posting here are passionate about them or they wouldn't be posting about it. I'll take my lumps time and money wise but the cumulative damage to this genre of racing I fear may be too much for it to survive in the long term. That is my deepest concern.

Also, I am embarrassed by the unprofessionalism of how this wonderful class of racing is sometimes run. Could I do any better? Maybe, maybe not. I am embarrassed by the rainouts which have no plan in place for that possible eventuality at stalwart venues like the 3 dirt 1 mile tracks which are the anchor of the division. I was personally embarrassed to have asked a good friend to choose to go with me to this deal instead of many other, more enjoyable I might add, activities he could have done on a holiday weekend to make the drive all the way to THAT only to see what we saw. He's an avid dirt late model fan and I just about guarantee he won't ever bother going to another Silver Crown race if not another USAC race, period. There was a really good crowd on hand for the Sumar and it could have been something very positive to build on but instead it became a glaring negative.

Well enough of this, but in closing I would implore USAC to please, please figure this stuff out before these races are just one more memory for us to pour over in conversation and on message boards. Please find a way for this type of racing to exist. No, not merely to exist but to flourish into the extended future. Once again this racing is dear to all of us or we wouldn't be here writing about it. I will continue to attend these races as long as they exist and as long as I can see my way clear to them, but not everybody feels as I do which is the crux of the problem.