Bacon @Knoxville
 

Who wants to bet Bacon ties the record tonight?

https://www.usacracing.com/news/knox...---may-30-2025

Side note: Last night was the first 360 feature Messeraull hasn't made. He's actually been going pretty good down there. Last night's field was beyond stacked.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Someone told me the crowd was terrible. Anyone have any further info on that?

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Originally Posted by jdull99:
Someone told me the crowd was terrible. Anyone have any further info on that?

Did they attend or watch on Flo? If your judging crowd size off of Flo, then yes it looked empty. You could put a couple thousand people in there and they all go to the top under the covered portion and you never see them on the TV. While the camera followed the cars down the front stretch you could see the lower portion was empty and only a few that were sitting maybe 10 rows up.

The place holds a little over 21,000 people.

There were 45 360s there last night. They normally race for $2000 to win, $350 to start. I couldn't find anything that the purse was more last night. Think they backgated themselves?

How much did USAC race for? The preview article on the website doesn't say.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Bill W's story said the winners take was 2g...(doens't mention anything else).

But ya, hopefully they made $ off the back gate; and also that there were people in the stands you could not see on FLO.

https://tjslideways.com/2025/05/31/r...g-360-victory/

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

I was at the race and I didn't sit in the bleachers. There were a couple hundred people watching from the Museum's 2nd floor and the 2 dozen suites.

Bart

We attended the USAC races at Knoxville a couple or 3 years ago. Friday night there were probably less than 1000 people in the stands. Saturday night when USAC was paired with the Knoxville 410’s, there was probably 2000-2500 people in the stands. Apparently the 360’s and USAC are not much of a draw out there.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Originally Posted by openwheelfan1:
We attended the USAC races at Knoxville a couple or 3 years ago. Friday night there were probably less than 1000 people in the stands. Saturday night when USAC was paired with the Knoxville 410’s, there was probably 2000-2500 people in the stands. Apparently the 360’s and USAC are not much of a draw out there.

Wahoo sez they all were sitting out of camera view...

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

This photo was taken from the Museum in turn 2 tonight after the USAC 2nd Heat Race.

Bart

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Originally Posted by jdull99:
Wahoo sez they all were sitting out of camera view...

That’s not what I said. I simply asked if what you heard came from someone that was there or watching on Flo. I was not there. Place is huge and from TV you’d think it was empty. From Bart’s view tonight , I’d have to say that is a poor looking crowd.

So actual race talk, Ryan Timms 360 Friday, 410 Saturday, Keith Kunz pipeline FTW again.

Doesn't look like Bacon's in a USAC car till Sprint Week. Probably more fitting for him to break the record in Indiana anyway.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

I was at Knoxville both nights this weekend. I’ve seen more than a few non-wing shows at Knoxville dating back 25 years to the SCRA days. Friday night’s USAC feature was the best non-wing race I’ve seen there. Watching Chase Stockon, Briggs Danner and Brady Bacon battle for the lead, dangling up top next to the fence, lap after lap, was really spectacular. The track had two workable grooves Friday night, the extreme top and extreme bottom.

I’d estimate Friday’s grandstand crowd between 800-1000.

The track was far more technical on Saturday night. The fast lines were in different parts of the track at different times. The good moisture (i.e. traction) was on the bottom. There can be nothing worse than seeing a car squirt along the inside, huggy-pole style. However, there were a few guys trying to make the top work. Once KTJ got the lead, there wasn’t much excitement up front. Although there were moments that I thought Ryan Bernal might catch him. Late in the race, the fast line shifted to the middle and guys that knew how to read the track started making that groove work. If that groove had come in earlier, it would have made for a better race. That’s the way it goes. Heat races were fantastic.

Crowd was much better on night two. Maybe 3,500?

USAC brought 31 cars both nights. Which I thought was respectable. Friday’s USAC feature paid $9,000 to win. Saturday paid $15,000. Friday there was a companion class of 48 360s. Saturday there was a companion 410 show which had 38 cars. Reserved seat tickets were $25 Friday. $30 Saturday. Compared to other shows I’ve been to, that’s very reasonable. Plus, you see a ton of racing.

I love Knoxville. The place is so special. If you haven’t been there lately, they’ve made some dramatic improvements to the lighting, sound system, Jumbotrons. Everything there is first-class. Plus, USAC is there during Hall of Fame Induction Weekend. If you're into sprint car history, seeing all these racing heroes from the past walking the grounds adds even more to the event.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

[QUOTE=kendirt;580489]Who wants to bet Bacon ties the record tonight?
Dang, probably to late to make that bet :14:

Great racing both nights.
Unfortunately not a great crowd turn out. There are some local non-wing fans, just not enough. There is a new tower with even more suites in turn 2 so hard to estimate how many are over there. There is also infield seating and some buy pit passes and are only there to watch. Overall, hopefully enough to have it again and huge thanks to Jerry Petty for making it pay what it does.
Sprint cars are best on half miles! I support that every time.

I'm hoping to make it next year. Couldn't make it happen this year

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

As others have said, large grandstand and 2-3k people would not look like much. Knoxville also has significant income coming from suites and sponsorship which I think makes up the short fall in people in the stands. Plus never been much of a secret that the Knoxville Nationals funds the whole operation for a year. I think it is a great venue for USAC to be at and on the HOF weekend it is a good combo event. Hopefully they keep it going in 2026!

Doesn't look like Bacon's in a USAC car till Sprint Week. Probably more fitting for him to break the record in Indiana anyway.[/QUOTE]

Interesting turn of events Saturday Night,heard Bacons version of what happened,anyone hear Leary's version of the incident?

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Pretty obvious Leary slipped off the bottom out of two. Brady took the opening and coming back down, Leary's LR ran over Bacons RF.

Im not putting fault on either. Just saying there was a opening, Until there wasn't.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Looks like more in the infield than the stands.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Originally Posted by Dirtfan:
Doesn't look like Bacon's in a USAC car till Sprint Week. Probably more fitting for him to break the record in Indiana anyway.

Interesting turn of events Saturday Night,heard Bacons version of what happened,anyone hear Leary's version of the incident?[/QUOTE]

I’d like to hear his version as well. Pretty obvious it was way too early in the race to try that move.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Bacon knows better than that.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Originally Posted by Rpracing1:
Bacon knows better than that.

Maybe if he was points racing. But he's there to win and it's working. 8 races 4 wins.

Not sayin it wasn't risky but there was a opening.

The Sprint Car Capital of the World, may indeed be the moniker, but that in no way does it indicate the best racetrack. The Hall of Fame is great, facility, outstanding, but I for one don’t care much for how it races. As someone earlier in the thread mentioned, half miles are great for Sprint Cars. Knoxville is one of my least favorite. My basic reason is simple, I can’t think of another dirt track where it’s so beneficial to keep the car straight, especially with wings. I like my Sprint Cars sideways and Knoxville struggles in that department. I understand the patience and commitment it takes to run the bottom there and it pays dividends, but to me it’s boring to watch.
Back to the Brady CJ incident. I agree with 76, too early to push that envelope. I too am curious to hear CJ’s reaction.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

It was too early in the race for a move like Bacon made. But both are hungry. If that would have been ROBERT BALLOU, all hell would have broke loose! Nuff said!

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
Maybe if he was points racing. But he's there to win and it's working. 8 races 4 wins.

Not sayin it wasn't risky but there was a opening.

Bet Dyson Racing was overjoyed with move.......................

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Originally Posted by Rpracing1:
Bet Dyson Racing was overjoyed with move.......................

I doubt neither him or Team AZ were. Doesn't negate the fact Leary showed a opening.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
I doubt neither him or Team AZ were. Doesn't negate the fact Leary showed a opening.

Please stop. Bacon effed up. It’s that simple.Just accept it and move on. Nothing you or that horrible explanation he gave to Drake makes it any better. Points racing or not it was a dumb move.
Agreed with a previous poster who said if RB did that the board would lite up like a Christmas tree.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

I agree with Charles. CJ slipped of the bottom, and Bacon went for the hole. CJ panicked and tried to close the door. Was it too early in the race, maybe. It's hard to make up ground at Knoxville, gotta go when you can.

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

Originally Posted by yeleyfan76:
Please stop. Bacon effed up. It’s that simple.Just accept it and move on. Nothing you or that horrible explanation he gave to Drake makes it any better. Points racing or not it was a dumb move.
Agreed with a previous poster who said if RB did that the board would lite up like a Christmas tree.

See, I can respect your opinon but have my own.
All of midget racing and almost all the short track bullring racing is about stuffing that car thru a hole.

If you slip up or leave room, Expect someone to be there.

I guess at the drivers meeting they need to say something like this: "The green flag technically means the race has started, but you're not allowed to be aggressive until a panel of internet experts, drawing on their years of experience and many victories, agree that the time is right. Any questions?"

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

lol!

Originally Posted by pj wright:
i guess at the drivers meeting they need to say something like this: "the green flag technically means the race has started, but you're not allowed to be aggressive until a panel of internet experts, drawing on their years of experience and many victories, agree that the time is right. Any questions?"

Re: Bacon @Knoxville
 

I think they should start passing on the parade lap, Better than all the yelling, fireworks and stuff.

Originally Posted by kendirt:
Side note: Last night was the first 360 feature Meseraull hasn't made. He's actually been going pretty good down there. Last night's field was beyond stacked.

Meseraull posted a video today that he got fired from the 360. Too bad, I was kind of rooting for him.