Kokomo Construction
 

Was at the track today. Last concrete poured this AM. Looks like concessions are not ready yet. Don't know about offices. Need some grading out front.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

I heard the new front grandstand will not be open. Just the back stretch. If so, it will be cozy seating!

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Why wouldn't they be open? I was out there Thursday, and no one said anything to me. This is still a big project. The seating is ready. As are the bathrooms. The food stand, is not totally finished, but will be usable.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Thanks, Brent. See you tomorrow.

Ole Brent is correct, the stands will be open for today's race. We got here yesterday around noon. The O'Conner were working on the stands and other facilities along with several other crews. They worked through the rains and into the dark. There will be a make shift concessions and beer sales for u. One of the O'corners told me the front stretch stands hold about 200 less people. They are a little taller but not as wide. Have to give the O'Conner family a big thank you. Now days tracks are closing but they just made this nicer.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Just got back on here, See you tonight.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Who's the O'Corners? :5:

They are second cousins once removed. I figured u know that since u seam to know everything else. Lol

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Small family, consist of only 4 members, :10:

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Dress warm. Have fun!

Now that's funny.

Well Brent and I was wrong. Just went up to front pay window and had a sign that said. Seating on back stretch only this weekend. If u r in a wheel chair be on front stretch at 3 pm. Back side is not handicap friendly.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

I just heard that indirectly from you a minute ago. My bad

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I was told last night, that they had an electrical problem on the frontstretch. that is why they couldn't be used last night. Some of us were laughing last night. All the people who complained about no carry in at the gate, look at all the improvements that have been made. I will take that over being able to carry in food or drink. Any day.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

I’ll only ask because I’m confused. The improvements made were paid for because you cannot bring in any food or beverage?? I’m confused because of tracks that I go to in other places let you carry in and make improvements. Kokomo is my favorite track in Indiana and top 3 across the country, but I find it hard to believe that rationale. There is more to it than that. I wish you would have just said the place keeps improving thanks to the OConners and left it at that.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Try going to any same level baseball, hockey, basketball, etc. game (that you have to pay to get in); and let us know about the carry-in food policy. If your choice is between buying tickets and buying food, eat before/after you go to the race (that food is certainly gona cost you $ tho too...).

What does a brat or burger cost there? $4-$6? I'm one of the cheapest guys in the world (never had a lot of $, but I survived my 19year year racing "career" debt free and also paid my house off in less than 20 years, at 43yrs old) but I would never expect these venues to let me carry stuff in. Go out to the car if you need to...

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

All I know is there were less in the back grandstand last night than my last time there and that's with a two thirds full front stretch grandstand.

Thanks to the O'conners for holding the race. I guarantee they didn't make up a thousand fans missing on food and drink..

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Could not make it, but it did not appear that they really needed the front stretch seating open.

Kokomo has not allowed carry in food or drinks for a very long time. As far as I know, The O'Connor Family has never allowed carry in and IF they did, it was when they first bought the property. There has been no carry in for at least the past 9 years that I know of. No carry in, had absolutely 0 to do with the Frontstretch being closed. The last time I remember carry in was when my late father worked the Backstretch gate in the late 80s and 90s checking coolers.

Now with the low attendance numbers...the Backstretch was not even close to being full. Sunday was a nicer weather day, and it still wasn't remotely close to being full. Hardly no lines all night at the concessions. Obviously the Frontstretch was empty.

With that said I ask the question of why? Yes, this is an opinionated question but I'm curious on people's thoughts. Was it bc lack of fan support for Midget racing? I mean I did see several people leave after the "Kokomo Sprint Cars" Feature was over. Was it bc people can't accept change or adjust and sit on the Backstretch for 2 races bc they always sit on the Frontstretch? Was it bc of Flo that is definitely driving people out of the stands at many tracks not just Kokomo, and to stay at home? I mean I know a person who lives within 5 miles of the track and he was at home watching it on Flo, grilling out at home, drinking their beer at home. We generally have a group of 20-25 people and only 7 of us attended the race, the rest was at home watching it on Flo. Was it the construction and upgrades still being worked on in which The O'Connor Family didn't have to do but they are trying to make the track an even nicer facility and safer then what it already was. Was it the weather even though I seen many people wearing shorts. Was it bc Saturday was cold and windy and Sunday was a work night even though the last checkered flew by 945p?

Just thought it was extremely odd for a weekend doubleheader USAC show of USAC Midgets and Kokomo Sprint Cars as the only support class, both nights ending by 945p, and yet the stands were very very open.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Why were the 17 other people in your group at home watching Flo?

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Because they can. No Drive, No Cops. All the beer brats and burgers you can make.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Well that didn't stop the dirt Zamboni from cleaning the walkway on the front stretch during down time even tho nobody was sitting there. Unbelievable.

Bc they chose to do that...they find it more affordable to subscribe to Flo, stay home, and eat and drink at home. Although it can be argued that is true, and not only do you miss the experience of being there spending time family and friends, it's still the principle of that drives people out of the seats, which hurts a track. That's only one group as well. So how many people do that each race, each track? Smackdown its 100s...Okay some can't make it due to health or care taking of others, kids and their activites, that's understandable. But just to save money...doesn't that hurt a track over a period of time???

And back to the original question, especially for those with more experience of racing and traveling, why were the bleachers so so spacious for a doubleheader with USAC Midgets and Kokomo Sprint Cars, not horrible weather, not too many support classes, no fender cars, at arguably one of the best 1/4 miles in the country??? Where were all the USAC fans and fans of Openwheel racing? Is this the norm for Midget racing? Hasnt been a Grand Prix since 2021 and that was the turnout??? I've seen a regular show more packed then it was this weekend...just baffles me and puzzles me.

??? Besides maybe optics, the problem with this is what exactly???

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

I could care less. The question is why bother?

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

I would take a guess that the fact the front stretch bleachers were closed was the factor that kept the crowd away. Folks were probably worried that if they got a seat, they would feel like sardines in a can ( yes i know it's pack during ISW and everyone knows that who goes, but this isn't ISW ). It's a great event and deserves a great crowd. How many will that back grandstand hold? Fans that have to travel a few hours also might have been worried that once there and if the back was already filled up, then what do you do? Turn around and go home. I believe that was the main factor. Of course those poor souls that have to work on Monday most likely aren't going to travel 4-5 hours round trip.

You’re missing my point. Is this the first race that your 17 friends have boycotted? Do they hate midgets? Do they hate USAC? Koko?
You change deodorant? Anything?
Are they gone for good due to Flo?

Please clarify the actions of your 17 friends that were No shows. I mean that is a big percentage of your normal race crew that decided not to attend that they apparently usually went. ???

Good questions in there, as well as your other post.
One thing for sure is Midgets rarely draw good crowds… Which is a total shame because racing quality is more times than not, top notch! Midget Week draws good crowds, but after that, there are no other National Midget races in the state??? There’s probably a lot of answers to those questions in that alone.

Heck, the biggest Midget track in the country (Sun Prarie) hasn”t had a Midget only race in probably over a decade. Yet for 70 or so years, it was Midgets only. Almost all of their races now have some form of Sprint Cars with the Midgets.
I have often wondered if a field of Midgets being driven predominantly by “kids’ has hurt grand stand attendance? Please don’t roast me for that, it just something I’ve always kind of wondered, and those “kids” put on some fantastic racing. With that said, in my lifetime it has gone from Midget only races to multiple classes. From 40 lap features to 30 lap (and some are 25). And, from being able to watch a race from the stands, go into the pits afterwards, and have a beer with the heroes you just watched. To a lot the drivers not old enough to drink a beer. Again, not putting anyone down, I’ve just always wondered if that had any affect on attendance?

Another thought is the decline in the amount of Midget racing in the country. In the early 80’s, i can think of 15-18 Midget sanctioning bodies running all over the country, off the top of my head. Now, I believe there’s only 5 National dirt Midget sanctions.

At first, i was on the other side of the fence about Flo. I thought all the exposure was great!
It still is for maybe the Chili Bowl, but i am starting to think that it is hurting attendance at tracks. I could go on for awhile on this, but I’ve babbled on too long already.
One thought i did have, which probably won’t be popular, is area blackouts within a certain amount of miles from the track. I do realize there is technology to get around being blacked out, but it could help getting some butts in the seats at these tracks? Not just the blackout, but no replays in that region either, for 2 weeks.

Just some thoughts that your post provoked.
Then of course there is the cost of Midget racing, and what that’s done. But that would be a whole other book.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

I am guessing they were keeping that front stretch clean so it didn't muddy up the new seating area by the workers.

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Fortunately, the no carry-in policy provides enough funding that they can afford to make a few extra passes with the zamboni.

Isn’t that technically a Dirtboni?

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Zamboni, I imagine if they just let it pile all night it would be much harder and deeper and might not even be able to do it if the dirt were a inch thick.

I got no idea what the real number of missing people were. 800-1000 What was the gate? $30. Take away 30k in gate alone. Remove probably another 2-3 grand in food and drink from them fans not being there buying. A Grand from souvenirs.......

From sources, Im told the flow pay on each USAC races would maybe cover the Kokomo Sprint winners share and nothing else. Sure they got several grand in a crew of three and a announcer getting em to the tracks and paid and whatever it cost to broadcast..

It hurts and can hurt huge. Especially when weather is a issue (IFFY, COLD)

Midgets, i said it years ago. We used to get two or three at most tracks every year when Cora, Nammars and USAC all were in the area. Heck the only race I ever went to at the old Tri County Speedway was a Nammars race.. Then there was thursday night thunder. Midget week plus a few here and there isn't much support. A hundred grand motor that needs rebuilt every handful of races............. Should just go full D2 if you ask me.

Me, Im in a hour from home situation. Used to get over 30 races in person a year This year I've been to one with about 7 more penciled in.

No, I don't know everything. Just seeing, deducting and figuring things out. Like I said. You don't go in person, These tracks won't exist.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

I have several thoughts on Kokomo, but I gotta be careful with comments because the Kokomo regulars will crown any negative remarks.

No longer can Kokomo just swing open the gates and fans will flock there. Just look at how few regular season dates are left there. Sunday nights are gone. Three thunder car and modified dates all year. These are your local racers. What's the incentive to build a car, race or even come to the track if you can't race there. You mean you can't have a promotional night for just the local racers drawing more local fans?

I see very few promotions by the Kokomo track. Fireworks? How about getting creative like back-to-school night, scout nights, big wheel nights....anything to bring in the 57,000 people that are estimated to live in Kokomo. Advertising and social media? Look at the Kokomo Speedway Facebook page. It's pretty well a repost of USAC Racing and local teams. THANK YOU for at least re-posting other posts.

Regarding the new stands, the Speedway should have been shouting all the new efforts they put into those stands. About the only info I saw on them was Nathan and a few others reposting photos. Unless I missed them, I see one post about the new stands made by USAC. Want to see a track capitalizing on positive social media? Check out all the photos Bloomington Speedway and Pat Sullivan has posted about all the new improvements at their track. Their posts make me want to go to Bloomington opening night!

Final comment sure to get me crowned: Get rid of the hashtag GYATK. I don't see any other tracks using the word ass in an advertising slogan.

Wishing Kokomo Speedway nothing but success in 2025.

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Agree about the thought of "kids" racing. It takes a while to get to a point to be interested in following 15-16 year olds (maybe if their dad raced, or once you saw them run/win a time or two...etc).

Also agree about FLO. I will never believe it gets a measurable number of fans TO GO to the tracks (it helps in different ways however; overall interest / sponsor value / allows for national following / and so on....). I just think the promotors should get more of a cut (I do not know about a USAC race, but I've heard numbers as low as $500...BUT, how many REALLY are watching on FLO? I do not think 20,000 people were tuning in to watch these midget races this wknd. MAYBE 2,000 people from a 3-hour radius of the track? & that would only be cuz it is was in Indiana...other parts of the country, I suspect even less. I think in every case, the black out idea would be great!).

Now, I do have to point out, since 2022; there HAS been "MIDGET" only races scheduled at Angell Park, on Labor Day weekend...the Fireman National shows feature separate events for the USAC and BMARA versions. Both are great shows. The BMARA version is not known as a "National midget" but other than an OEM block, head, and crank (& 2.4 L); it's basically the same car and the top ones go faster or as fast as the USAC cars. I like watching both forms (this show is the only time I see the USAC version anymore) - it works out well. This year's (the 40th!) is scheduled for Sunday only; August 31st...(how many laps will the features be...???).

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

I remember when it came out and I remembered what it meant, for a year or two, but I forgot since; what does "GYATK" even stand for? I know it was smthn BC said and I saw an article that he had the sticker on the Indycar. That is all I could find on the www

Re: Kokomo Construction
 

Get Your Ass To Kokomo

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Thank-you...I just couldn't remember that one...

Some folks just aren’t midget fans. One of the most dedicated wingless Sprint Car fans on this board, I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but I would say he’s indifferent to them. I don’t really understand it how you can like one and not the other but my perspective is due to my upbringing and exposure to midgets. The age of streaming is here folks, it’s here to stay. The Gran Prix is always a fickle race due to the weather. I would say it gets cancelled more than it runs. The weather wasn’t bad Saturday, as I was there and enjoyed the show. I was glad I wasn’t there Friday. I’m no longer looking to become a martyr to make it to the races. I feel I have done more than my share of contribution to wherever we are now in racing. As a young man I would do stupid stuff just to get to the races (pawning my compound bow to get money to drive to Terre Haute for a rain out comes to mind). I was a diehard who had been involved in almost all of it, from fan to participant, to being involved in running the track. Maybe those kids driving those midgets need to get more of their friends there