USAC Nationals
 

What is the format for the USAC Nationals tonight? Made the trip ovewr from WI. we have been enjoying the show. I have never been to an nicer facility the Huset's speedway.

Re: USAC Natiomals
 

100 lap midget feature
40 lap Sprint Feature

Have no idea if there are consi's Line up is by points of prior two nights. accumulation.

Re: USAC Natiomals
 

IDK, but here it is, We'll figure it out when it starts I guess

https://www.facebook.com/usacracing/...6633328692404/

Pretty easy format to figure out.
Top 20 in points locked into A-mains 21st on back to the B-mains. Top four from B-main to tail of A-main.
Top twelve in points inverted for the A-mains. 13 to 20 positions line up by points.

Sprint top twelve going into tonight's finale
Thorson, T-Mez, KTJ, Bacon, Leary, Seavey, Swanson, Windom, Grant, Ballot, Stockton, Davis Jr.
J-Mac six points behind Davis for twelve spot. Right now front row of A-main would be Davis Jr and Stockton.

Midget top twelve
Golobic, Kofoid, Windom, Moles, Pursley, T-Mez, Seavey, McIntosh, J-Mac, KTJ, Crum, Randell.
Bacon lost an engine in midget Friday night and won't be competing in the midgets tonight.

Why are the top 12 in points inverted? Seems kind of hokey.

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been trying to figure it out but the track it reminds me most of is. KAMP or Boswell or whatever it's called now. WITHOUT the dust.

Something different.

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Does anyone think that the unique race format did anything for the show?

I think it would have worked better if they had more cars.On Sunday in the heats you had 4 cars racing for more points and 4 cars racing for less

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First off, I usually always support having an invert at a racing event. Way too many race nights ruined by putting the fastest car on the pole and then him running away from the competition. However, for a three day show, it seems that the last race of the weekend should be straight up on points earned. If not, it opens up a lot of people trying to game the system to get a better spot in the invert.

Overall, I hope that this weekend was a success. Hopefully, I can get a kitchen pass next year to attend this race.

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I thought that the racing was great all weekend, so I suppose I liked the format.

Looking at the results, the large invert didn't seem to hurt the competitors too bad: in the midgets, the two high point men, Pursley and Kofoid, were right there at the end battling for the win; and in sprints, the winner was the 4th highest point man and came from 9th. Meanwhile, high point man McDougal was only able to muster a gain of four positions to 8th, but the next two highest point earners were able to achieve top-5s.

All in all the track was racy, the races were longer which gave everyone time to make a charge, and the finishes ending up being good ones. I just don't see how you could ding the format too awful bad.

Thanks to everyone who made this event happen! I would love to attend in the future!

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Track reminded me of Granite City, or Pevely. Maybe a lower banked Burg. It didn't seem as round as Boswell. Thought it was pretty racy. I guess if you didn't like the format, you don't care for passing.
I have said for years that if I go back to the Knoxville Nationals or Chili Bowl, I would come home after Friday. It seems the prelim nights usually produce the best racing. Hope they have this race next year, as I would try to go.

Where did this take place?

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Huset's Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota which is just a few minutes west of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Thanks

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The format was pretty much the same as the trophy cup in California. It works much better with 50 cars.

Some guys locked in last night with a toward front spot didn't want to run in their heat but promotor told them they had to. Some sandbagged to protect their spot toward the front and some just raced to win a heat. Perfect example was Stockton and Davis Jr. They were positions eleven and twelve with a front row A-main starting spot going into the night but they raced hard in their heats and gained enough points to move both back to third row.

On a side note Charles Davis Jr stole the show and made so many new fans with his podium run on Friday night. We had the whole crowd cheering for him. He did a cage stand while chugging a Coors Light on the front straight. He is hilarious can't wait to get to Perris and drink beer with him again.

I had been to Huset's before so knew the show would be good. It's egg shaped turns one and two tighter than three and four. If this happens again next year it should be a must see for all. The crowd Saturday and especially Sunday night was quite large but I pulled up Flo on my phone and it didn't look that way on tv.

The Sioux Falls fall festival with bands Friday and Saturday hurt the attendance some locals told me. He said Saturday Alan Jackson was there. I think he is a country music guy not sure as I only do classic rock and heavy metal.

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J-Mac was actually 13th in points. He got moved up to 12th because they penalized Jake Swanson two rows for being late to staging.

I actually hate that rule and I know it helps speed up the show but when one of your series regulars has trouble like a crash or engine swap it just doesn't seem right.

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Yes I loved the format 8 invert in heats we great. Inverting 12 in feature was good in the sprints. I think 50 laps would of been enough for the midgets.

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First off the facility at Husets is top shelf. One of the nicest in the country. So glad to make the drive out from eastern Pa to see it. I’m not sure they could do much more to improve it. I am aware the previous owner spent a ton of money and it seems well spent.
As for the crowd, very disappointing. I’m aware that the town of Sioux Falls had a couple of concerts that affected the local crowd. Unless many people from Indiana flew in and rented cars with other tags on them, their support was weak at best. I was told by a couple of Indiana friends that you don’t run a big event like this in SD and expect people to go see it. I thought he was crazy and told him so. He was apparently right. He and a lot of people in Indiana think the non wing guys run for peanuts compared to other series yet when an event like this is run they stay home. My feeling all along was since this was not a full Usac points paying event, the flo broadcast should have been PPV or only shown the A main just like the Knoxville races.
The racing each nite was good and improved throughout. The format was special and as Buckley said on the flo promo it is designed to put fast cars in the back to promote passing. What a concept. The first two nites had the ever boring, track destroying yawn of single car qualifying. At least the format kept the guys who are usually fast out there by themselves in the back to, promote passing which is what I thought racing is all about. As stated in a previous post, the format did its job as the fast guys worked thru. Sunday we had no TTs and wow a great surface.(my opinion) I don’t know if they changed the flag man after the first nite or talked to him about his itchy yellow flag trigger as he altered the finish in both A mains. It seemed like there was a change for the second two nites but since they wear helmets I couldn’t tell.
Unfortunately what has become the norm in the midgets has reared its ugly head in the sprint cars. The wrecking ball that is the blue 19az cleaned out and destroyed Bernal which in turn crashed Ballou. Then pulls one of those lame bs KKM midget guy style interviews by explaining it’s tough to pass and it’s part of racing. Spridge has been quoted as saying there is no penalty for contact in USAC racing, so I hope when the 19az returns to the pits on the hook destroyed one nite, the crew remembers it must have been tough to pass that nite.
In closing I would like to thank Matt Wood for putting up all of that money for non wing racing. I wish more people would have supported you and don’t blame you if this event was a one and done. Also the 9/11 tribute put on by you and the track staff was phenomenal. To the staff at Husets for showing everyone how to run an efficient show. Two full programs each nite with little down time and over early. I hope the group from Speedway took notes. A quick tite program can be run every nite if the group in charge wants to. I’m sure I’ll get bashed for many things written here, but they are my takes of what I saw in person. As stated based on the the plates on the cars in the lot most on this board were not, and that’s a shame because you missed a good event.

Burned up vacation in FLA at bubba's, in PA for part of ES, and in Kokomo for smackdown. As I told you in Kokomo, if the success of this event hinged on Indiana fans, it isn't going to happen Steve. Glad you went and enjoyed the show. I'm just not sure what bashing Indiana race fans is going to accomplish.

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I hope that it returns and that it finds a good date. Also remember, IF POWRi and USAC can work together and make this a "Crown Jewel" event and POWRi doesn't schedule on top of it, you would get some more midgets.

Everyone should remember that the Chili Bowl was a money loser the first time it was held and had to work to find the best weekend for it.

Gonna be tough if not impossible for this event to succeed. It’s just too far away from its car and fan base. I was shocked when I saw this race announced. Hopefully the guy didn’t loose too much money.

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Just to clarify here, since this is an incorrect take. USAC's National officials (the group from Speedway) ran & directed all three nights of the Huset's program.

Yes, it was definitely a well run show, and it takes everyone working in concert to make it happen from the USAC officials to the push truck crews, ambulance crews, etc. All did a fantastic job.

I can attest to how USAC National programs are consistently run in an efficient manner. I've seen it night in, night out for the past seven years. Never is there any wasting of time.

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The event, Venue and racing were spectacular. The only thing that would improve that is car count. And Matt Wood, USAC and all involved need a big congrats.

I have no idea what the attendance was. I've heard from decent crowd to under a thousand. It looked simular to last weekends Power Sprints attendance.

Even Sprint week, at least half the fans are local. I Applaud them for trying something new. Thanks Matt Wood.

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The wife & I had planned on attending and meeting up with a buddy from Kansas while up there. It didn't happen for a variety of reasons concerning job obligations and an earlier fall farming season than in recent years. If this event carries on next year we'll be there, for sure.

Like many other comparisons, it never ceases to amaze how different other divisions are supported. With us being in hard core Illinois dirt late model country and just over 1/2 hour from Fairbury, Illlinois we see the solid and widespread support for almost every late model show at Fairbury. Don't get me wrong, Fairbury is a very good facility run by competent people but FALS is no Huset's. The quality of racing over this past weekend at Huset's was top notch and the organization and efficiency was second to none but not many were there to enjoy it. Yet scores of dirt late model fans fly into Illinois to attend events at lil' ol' FALS. They drive from 4 or 5 states away. Camping areas are jammed beyond belief. The bottom line is dirt late model fans support their favorite division and wingless fans don't. At least, it seems, not outside of their immediate area.

And yet, a high paying and superb midget and sprint car show goes vastly unsupported. It's been said here in this thread that this Huset's event can't possibly continue because USAC fans refuse to leave their immediate area to watch very good racing. Sadly, that seems also to be the case with the dirt mile Silver Crown events.

It's a bit baffling.

The promoter of the Huset's event should be highly commended for his effort to competently plan, organize and take some chances on people showing up to watch some of the best racing of the season.

I am not nearly smart enough to figure out how to change the direction of this trend, or if it's possible to do so, but if it is I sure wish someone who is, would.

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I'm sure it was the exception rather than the rule but we attended a USAC National Midget show at Route 66 dirt track near Joliet, Illinois during the 2019 season that was so ill organized and strung out that we left at just before midnight not having seen the USAC Midget A-main. I e-mailed the promoter to express our disappointment and they were sincerely apologetic and was informed that the overwhelming percentage of blame was with the sanctions for how badly the show was run. There were a lot of local fans who were as unhappy as we were. The fact that USAC Sprint & Midget racing is quite rare in Illinois may be a result of show's such as the one I speak of. Not saying, just saying.

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Is that the one they waited for Larson to arrive for?

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I bought 4 tickets and made a 8 1/2 drive out.Was disappointed with the car count but it was a good show.I have drove the same distance a lot of times to Indiana just to a USAC show so to be able to go somewhere and see sprint and midgets together in one trip for 3 days was priceless.I want to THANK Matt Wood for putting on the show and USAC for running a program that was over in decent time all 3 nights.Huset in a nice track but there are not many good seats above the general admission section. The concession stand in the middle of the stands blocks the view of the front straight and the railing also blocks the view if you move up higher.I didnt go up to the top 2 or 3 rows that had people in them but the seats between them and GA seat that I sat in my opinion were worthless.That may have something to do with local crowd.You could not see the cars cross the finish line from where I was seated and on Friday night in the GA section the dust was real bad but not on Saturday or Sunday

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We weren't in attendance at Husets, but judging from the Flo broadcast, the racing was spectacular, especially the midgets! That track seemed ideal for the midgets. I would agree with a prior comment that the Saturday midget race length of 100 laps was maybe a little much. I am not a fan of "pit stops" (breaks, fuel stops, call it what you will) so whatever the lap limit is based on the fuel, the feature should be within that.

IF the event continues next year, we will probably try to attend. I do wish these multi day events were a little more spread out, i. e., the BC 39, the Kokomo Smackdown, the USAC Nationals and the Eldora 4 Crown will all occur within 5 weeks of each other.

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I don't disagree that the current fan base and cars are far from South Dakota. But back to Jonr's comment about the Chili Bowl initially losing money, realize that in 1987, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and for that matter anywhere between the Mississippi River and the west coast (save the RMMRA) could be construed as "midget country". The old Southwest Invitational Midget Series (SWIMS) would roll through once a year in mid-80's and race the fair, but other than that, there hadn't been ANY midgets in that area since the 50's. Now open wheel fans, we were thick with them. But I recall asking a college buddy who was CONSUMED by the World of Outlaws if he was going to the SWIMS show at the Fairgrounds (Oklahoma City) and he said "He!! no, why would I want to listen to a bunch of Volkswagens buzz around all night?" But through perseverance and PROMOTING, the Chili Bowl is now the iconic, must see event that it is. And accordingly, 1/3rd of the drivers in Tulsa, come January, will be from Oklahoma.
Midget racing, because of the Chili Bowl and POWRi (and now USAC) has a fan base in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Kansas.

Nothing says that wingless sprint cars can't catch on outside of Indiana. But you've got to be willing to let it happen. These things take time and commitment. And you've got to get really lucky...

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So if I understand correctly for a non wing sprint car race to be well attended in the middle of America. Everyone that can see the same cars and stars an hour or so from their home, needs to travel 10 plus hours one way from home? I thought when a traveling race series comes to your area, is for the local people to see them race at their home track.

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I remember going to a National Sprint Tour race in McCool Junction, NE. They had about 800 people in the stands. I was bellyaching about the crowd and how I must be seeing a financial loser and a photographer, the name escapes me, reminded me that "hey, those of us that are here, this might be our only chance to see these guys - they don't come out here very often."

What do you do? 800 people that don't get to see the guys run very often aren't enough to keep it going for very long unless you're just wanting to find a place to spend some money (most promoter's aren't).

And you beat me to it Richie...there were some underlying circumstances at that Route 66 event that makes it the exception and not the rule. Don't let that one be your measuring stick...

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Good promoters know that it is a tough job to pull off a show. As most on IOW know it's the back gate (pit passes), front gate (ticket sales) and concession sales that make the event a financial success. It's up to the drivers to make it a success between the green and checkered flag.

I live in Texas and could not make the event, but to show my support of Matt, USAC, and everyone involved I purchased a ticket with no intention of showing up. In fact, I watched it on FLO and it was excellent!

My challenge to all nay-sayers is to do away without your beer/starbucks for a week and buy a ticket to the races you don't think will be successful. It's not that difficult to show your support and respect.

Bart

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So the general view here seems to be as follows:

We want non-wing guys to race for more money but over $25 admission and I'm not paying it.

They need more marquee shows that pay more .. just don't schedule one outside of a 250 mile radius of Indianapolis.

Too grow the sport of non-wing and midget racing it has to expand to areas that don't see them often. I'm very thankful for guys like Mr. Wood for trying. I even shook his hand and thanked him as I was heading to victory lane to have my picture taken with Windom after the midget finale.

The top national guys have to quit supporting local shows and take a stand to grow this thing also. I realize it's sometimes easy money and a test session but it doesn't help their cause at all.

Here is how I did my part this weekend:
My group which included my Frolic friends were at a bar Friday and needed an Uber but all were delayed and we would be late for races. We friended a young 21 year old at the bar and paid his bar bill and admission to the races to drive us back to track. He became an instant fan. Even bought him a racing hoodie to wear. We had to get an Uber for him to get back home but that's another story. The kid texted me today and is scheduling his vacation next year to attend midget week and to let him know as soon as the dates are released.

We were fortunate to attend this event and to make a vacation of it,arrived the Sunday before,visited Mt Rushmore,Devils Tower,Deadwood and so on.
Back to the reason for going.We were pleased with the car count,figured on low 20's,Husets is a great facility,friendly people & so on.
Hats off to Tod Quiring,Matt Wood,USAC and everyone involved.Would we make the drive just for the races again,doubtful,might consider flying next time.
Hope this event continues and grows.
Someone mentioned in another post about the Flagman being changed,not the case,same one all three nights.
Plus we got to see some friends that made the trip.Only concern I heard was no ice cream at the track,why can't we all just get along.😄
One more thing,someone mentioned USAC & POWRi playing together,hope no one is holding their breath on this one.😳

Wow!! Good on you Bart!!

DLM fans have more money to support their races because they don’t waste any of their money on dental work or bars of soap.

Re: USAC Nationals
 

Got it. So any show Usac is involved in that does not run as crisp and efficient as those three consecutive nights in SD are the fault of track workers, push trucks, ambulances etc. I must have not been at the same shows for the last seven years as you. My mistake that the ISW show at Kokomo showed no sense of urgency until the lightening show started off turn 2. It must have been the staff at Kokomo that were the only people that didn’t know those storms were coming. Got ya.It seems to me that since the USAC schedule is relatively the same year in and year out that there should be a real understanding of how a show is run at these tracks that you go to year in and year out. Yet the tour goes to Husets and runs three consecutive nights with crews that haven’t seen USAC in many years with two premier divisions more efficiently than any three consecutive nights in the last seven years? Got ya it must be me.

Huset’s did an incredible job, especially with their push trucks. They were as efficient as any crew we use all year, and that’s saying something. Justin Clark was the flagman all 3 days & was fantastic. The caution was called a bit too quickly in the sprint car race on Friday, but that also may have been what prevented a larger issue. The caution in the midget race was for a car stopping in the middle of the pack in turns one-two with the leaders in turn 3. That yellow will be called every single time.

Not to inject pesky facts to ruin a narrative, but this show at Huset’s had about as many cars as the referenced ISW show at Kokomo (54 sprint cars at Kokomo, 54 total cars at Huset’s on Saturday). Saturday’s show at Huset’s began at 5:15 with engine heat (early sunset makes it possible). It ended at 10:12.
The show at Kokomo started at 6:30 with engine heat and ended at 10:18.

I’m most proud of the efficiency of the shows on a regular basis. Yes, sometimes tracks request taking a few extra minutes here and there for people to get an intermission of sorts. I lived through many inefficient USAC shows in the past & feel the same anxiety with any unnecessary down time.

Any questions about procedures or logistics of USAC shows, please feel free to reach out at kirk(at)usacnation.com or 419-203-7047.

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Think you nailed it.

The flagman all three nights was Justin Clark who happens to be hall of fame flagman Doug Clark's son and the current Knoxville Raceway flagman who took over for his hall of fame father.