USAC at Knoxville. Worth it?
 

Never seen USAC there, just 410's at the Nationals but thinking of taking trip over next year from Illinois. Is it worth it?

Re: USAC at Knoxville. Worth it?
 

I plan on going someday, the Nationals are great but man is it crowded.

Re: USAC at Knoxville. Worth it?
 

I went once a few years ago. They ran the 360 winged cars on the program one night, and the 410 winged cars the other night. My recollection is that the USAC guys were the final feature both nights, and the track was pretty much used up by then.

Re: USAC at Knoxville. Worth it?
 

That must have been the year I went. The food was more memorable than the race. I'd rather see them at Terre Haute.

Re: USAC at Knoxville. Worth it?
 

We went over last year and it was my first time to Knoxville. It's true that you are not going to see alot of side by side racing but I am kind of a history buff so I could watch the current drivers while I was imagining the Doug Wolfgangs, and Jan Oppermans and Ron Shuman's conquering that big Half mile in days gone by. You will not get to see those guys on any other track that big, Terre Haute and Eldora are not the same size.

Whether it's worth it or not depends on the individual, I have no desire to go to the Nationals and deal with the crowd but I do plan on going back to the USAC show there, if not this year then soon.

Re: USAC at Knoxville. Worth it?
 

The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum makes it worth if you have never been!

Re: USAC at Knoxville. Worth it?
 

And a few hours west is the Museum of American Speed at Speedway Motors in Lincoln Nebraska......

A return trip to Eagle Raceway for USAC would be ok with me,while out that way..

We’ve been to the USAC race weekend at Knoxville. Knoxville is a special place that should be visited at least once. The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame is an ABSOLUTE must visit! As noted, they will run the Knoxville 360 winged cars with USAC Friday night and the Knoxville 410 winged cars with USAC on Saturday night. The track will sometimes have a bottom for USAC, sometimes not, but regardless it is usually a good show. There are SO many seats at Knoxville, getting a seat day of is not a problem.

Knoxville Raceway,"Sprintcar Capital of The World",it's name alone says it all.

Everyone that goes to Knoxville talks about taking the short trip to Pella, Iowa. Sounds like a nice historical town for sightseeing and lunch. Have to visit next time.

We stay in Pella when we go to Knoxville. BEAUTIFUL little town. Clean, friendly people, very nice “old school” town square. If you stay there, go to Jaarsma Bakery, if for no other reason than to take in a lungful of the smell of delicious fresh baked goods.

Re: USAC at Knoxville. Worth it?
 

A few other great reasons to attend the weekend, besides the 2 nights of traditional cars on the big half mile is the Hall of Fame activities

On Friday afternoon there is a roundtable of Hall of Fame drivers, which is open to the public and held on the 2nd floor of the museum.

Then Saturday afternoon is the Hall of Fame Induction. This is a lunch and then a ceremony. Great place if you like history and there are always an assortment of drivers and crew in attendance.

Also 2025 will be the 60th anniversary of Johnny Rutherford's 1965 USAC Sprint Car Championship. I am working with the museum to have a temp exhibit about Lone Start JR's championship.

Bart

Thanks, OWfan1 for confirming Pella. I've heard so many fans and race teams mention Pella. All give it high praise. The bakery you reference is always on their must-see list. Next trip to Knoxville I'm definitely taking in Pella and the bakery!

Definitely worth it.

Re: USAC at Knoxville. Worth it?
 

That museum is astounding!
I used to drive from Denver to the East Coast & back every summer. I don't know if they still do it this way, but it used to be guided tours only, one per day, M-F. I kept missing it. Then one year I looked in the window & decided I HAD to spend the night there & see it the next day... worth it!
Lincoln also has a blues venue that has featured plenty of top notch blues bands over the years, The Zoo Bar. & a good Cajun restaurant, Buzzard Billy's ( & I don't go for fake Cajun food! :) )

You definitely have to go at least once. Everyone here has had plenty of endorsements which for the most part I agree with. One thing I question is if Knoxville is tangibly bigger than Terre Haute. I’ll bet there’s not much difference, and me
personally will take Terre Haute over Knoxville any day. As noted, the Hall of Fame is what gives Knoxville the edge. It doesn’t race better than anywhere else, but it has intangible’s that few can match. So the answer to your question is, yes it’s worth it. And considering the date for next year, I might see you there

I went both nights this year and it was worth it for all the reasons mentioned above. Track surface is for wings but still a decent show. Stayed at a really cheap crunch a bug motel in Oskaloosa and had a gas station sandwich for lunch before spending most of the afternoon at the museum. It’s rare to see non-wing sprints at a fairgrounds half mile with the pits in the infield like the old days. I’d soak it up if you get the chance!