indiana trip
 

After viewing USAC wingless sprint cars here in Pa, a friend of mine planned a vacation for us going to USAC speedweek shows at Lawrenceburg, gas city and kokomo. Any suggestions or info about the three tracks? Where to sit, can we camp, good food, and any ther information that will help us. Never been to any of the three tracks but i'm allready excited for this trip. Thanks in advance for all information.

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I'm sure the local guys will be able to give you answers to all your questions, but BE WARNED, one trip and your going to planning lots of vacation time in Indiana.

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PJ is exactly right. When you see the Indiana boyz' doing their thing on the Indiana bullrings, you'll get back to Williamsgrove and say *** is this. It'll ruin ya, I promise...:22:

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Boy, that is the truth.

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:3::6:

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Or give ya a good reason to MOVE:16

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Or give you a good reason to :13::13::13: cause you can't move.

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DING DING DING...... Folks we have a winner....:3:

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berks co,

You are in for a treat no doubt about it. Sprint week in Indiana has no comparison in my opinion. The three tracks you have picked out are all different and exciting. Of course, the second week shows are no slouch either.

Question #1. Where to sit. Gas City's bleachers are extremely close to the racing surface so plan on getting a little Indiana dirt to wear. I would suggest any place close to the top of the bleachers that you can find. It won't matter who you sit next to, since you probably don't know anyone anyway. A great way to meet new friends.:6: Of course if you want to invest in a pit pass, the bleachers in the pits are in turns 3 & 4 but I personally don't care to be in the pits.

Lawrenceburg doesn't have a bad seat in the house. If you are down lower in the grandstands during hot laps and qualifying, you will definitely wear some track turds but you can really "feel" the racing. We usually sit in Section A with a whole group of IOW folks who are the best fans anywhere IMHO.

Kokomo has seating on both the front and back stretch so you might take a look at how the wind is blowing. Since the re-do of this facility, I personally haven't been on the back stretch so I can't comment much on that. I enjoy sitting in the bleachers on the turn 4 side of the speedway.

Question #2. Can you camp? Free camping at all three tracks. Lawrenceburg has some limited electrical hook ups but I am not sure if they charge for them or not. Otherwise, it is primitive camping with some of the best folks you will ever meet in your life.

Question #3. Good food. Lawrenceburg and Kokomo probably have the better selections since they are bigger cities than Gas City. The concessions at all three places are very good with a pretty good variety of things to eat. I would highly recommend the pork chop sandwich at Kokomo. It is really tasty.

Other things of interest. Lawrenceburg has the riverboat/casino across the street from the race track if you are into such things. Gas City is located near the James Dean museum in Fairmount, IN. A day trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum is always an interesting side light. We on the on other hand, grab a cold brew and sit outside the motor home enjoying the wonderful Indiana sights.:3::14:

I would forewarn you that Indiana Sprint Week is contagious. Once you get it, you will never be the same. I would say that you might have to quit your job and move to our fair state as you will need a fix of traditional sprint car racing often. Good luck and hopefully this helps. I hope to see you at the races.

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As for the food, make it a point to go to the Casino buffet across the road from Lawrenceburg. I doubt you can be disappointed.

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Well, here's a start. Addressing the camping part. Be advised that there will be a huge caravan of motorhomes, trailers, truck campers, and tenters following Sprint Week. L'burg is located in a fairgrounds type area. There are many electric (15/20 amp) outlets and water is available. You may need a lot of hose depending on where you park. Gas City and Kokomo have large fields for campers. At Gas City they normally park in a huge circle in a big field on the east side of the track. Sometimes 3 units wide. No hookups. When you enter the Gas City track you will go past a truck terminal then turn to the right (east) and take the next place in line. At Kokomo the campers are in the regular parking area south of the track. It is big. No hookups. None of the tracks have dump stations (unless L'burg has one and I don't know about it) so if you are using the facilities in an RV you will have to dump somewhere else. Most Flying J Truck Stops have dump stations and water for your fresh water tank. I don't believe any of the Indiana rest areas have dump stations. If you are using a unit w/o an on board generator you might want to bring an external unit along. Several RV'ers leave the track after the race is over and travel to the next site. That's a personal choice. I don't think any of the tracks will run out of room. Be sure to bring chairs to sit out side and visit with other campers. Have a big cooler of refreshments for visitors. None of the tracks you mention have a charge for camping. If you should decide to stay for Terre Haute, be prepared to pay. Ten bucks just to park or put up a tent without hookups. If you choose to use their electric/water it's $20 for 20 amp electric or $25 for 30 amp. You'd really enjoy the finale at Haubstadt (Tri-State) Great track and always great racing. I've been to Kamp but not in the RV. No comment. It'll be great to have you. You'll be hooked. Have fun. I'm sure you'll get lots of recommendations on food and other activities. :22:

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Indiana racing proved to be way to exciting for Pine. The old ticker couldnt handle it,so he moved back to Pa.

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That's a relief. When I saw Quinn threw his two cents into this, I ,of course, presumed the text would read, in effect:"Forget Sprintweek! There's a POWRi Friday/Saturday double at Macon and Belle Clair that weekend."

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:34::34::5::5:


:8::8::8::11;

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It wasn't the ticker ASQ it was the wallet. You get me a job with the Gas Co. in Indy or Funk gets me a job with the Gas Co. in Kokomo, I'd be back in a heartbeat:6:.

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I know of a letter carrier's job you can have in about 26 months.:6:

If you can wait that long.

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Sorry you couldn't make it to Midget Week but Aero filled me in and that's the way things go sometimes. We will have a cold one together in a month. :32:

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I am going to chime in on this thread again. Earlier it was stated that after one Sprint Week, you will never be the same. Well, this is more true that you can realize. Back in 2005, my sweetie and I were all set to go down to my condo in Mexico for a week. Well, that was when we found out that getting her a passport was going to be quite a project (long story-ask me sometime). Well, what to do? Hey, Indiana Sprint Week. Well, we got her passport and went to Mexico in '06 and '07. Our last day, as we are sipping our rum and cokes, looking out over the Caribbean, she ask me, "Can we do Sprint Week next year instead?"

Well, last year was even better than '05. She didn't even bring up Mexico for this year.

See y'all again in three weeks.

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cmakin.....That makes her what we without spouses call "A KEEPER". Not that this point was lost on one so fortunate as yourself.

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Thats also what makes some of us WITH spouses call a "A KEEPER".This is for sure no BS!Dont let her go!:15:

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If I'm not in Indy in 26 months, I'll take it..:6:

WoooooHoooooo...FREE Sprintcar and Midget magazine's....:8:

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Lawrenceburg - I have been happy the few lunches I have had at Whiskys Restaurant, 334 Front Street, less than a mile south of the entrance to the track. It is on the left, across from a CVS. Good salads, excellent barbeque. Probably a little over $10 per person. I really wouldn't go any further south on that road. I can't think of a road anywhere in the country which needs lanes added more than this one does. Talk about a moving parking lot.

The A section folks are really great, but I have really taken a liking to the seats coming out of turn #2 this year. For $10 more (I think that is the price), you can park along the back stretch, right at the end of the grandstand. This way you can either watch from your vehicle or get a seat in the grandstand. The cooler is just seconds away if you do that. Well worth the money, IMHO. If you like the pits, the pit entrance is on that side also, so I like to come early, get a pit pass and parking permit and see everything.

I usually find that the gas is a little cheaper in Lawrenceburg than other places in Indiana. If coffee is important to you, there is a Starbucks 50 or so miles west of Lawrenceburg just off the interstate. There is a sign before the turnoff.

Gas City - I'm really not trying to disagree all the time with the other posts, but I have come to like the pit bleachers. I think the main grandstand has to be the most uncomfortable in the country. If you decide to sit in the main grandstand, I would suggest that you get there as early as possible to mark your seat, preferably before Noon. I've never eaten in Gas City, since I always stay in Kokomo. However, a year or two ago someone on this board mentioned a really good ice cream place in Gas City. If you read this, please mention where it is again.

Kokomo - Haven't found a bunch of good places to eat. I stick to IHOP (open 24 hours a day) and the Cracker Barrel. Years past I usually ate at the Waffle House, but food and service are up and down. I prefer the bleachers coming out of turn 4, but have sat in turn 1 and the pit bleachers and liked them too. The racing is so good at Kokomo I think you will enjoy anywhere. Also, Kokomo has both a Wal-Mart and Sams if you need to restock. Target also.

Welcome to what will be the first of many Indiana Sprint Weeks for you.

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Nope, not lost at all. . . . .

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In an earlier post I suggested you would enjoy Sprint Week so much you might decide to stay for the last four events. I left out Bloomington. If you haven't been there you have missed the prettiest setting of them all. It is an immaculate facility nestled in a little valley. The most beautiful red clay track you've ever seen. The track is always groomed to perfection and generally stays good. I don't believe I've ever seen them touch it during the event. We, and many others, bring lawn chairs and sit on the hill in turn 1. You can put your chair on the hill as early as noon on the day before the event. They close the gate about 5:15 PM on raceday so you have to come out to buy a ticket then go back in. They do have a stand but I'd suggest the lawn chair route. During Sprint Week the lower terraced area of the hill will be full early. There are acres of ground where you can sit in a chair and have a good view of the track. The parking area is big and will be full. No hookups and no charge. Bring a good bug spray. If you decide to go to Bloomington and on to Haubstadt, ask on this board for directions/best route. I know you Pennsylvanians are accustomed to hills and winding roads, but there are good ways and then there are some not so good. :6:

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Hahah that was last yr when they had the Macon/Belle-Clair doubleheader on the same weekend as Sprintweek,and thats what I did!!

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As my teenage son would say "true dat".:2: My wife likes going to races, but there is NO WAY she would give up a Caribbean beach vacation to go to the races.:18:

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I just went down to Indiana for 3 days near the end of May. Anderson, THAT and the Indy Mile. Had a great time, this thread already has me thinking about trying to hit 2-3 shows during Sprint week. Looks like I could do Kamp, Bloomington and Tri-State, Speedrome and Kokomo. 4 new tracks for me, as I've been to Kokomo once. Not all USAC sprint shows, but wings are cool for one night. My girlfriend isn't much for racing, but since I have been to 160+ races in the 3-4 years we have been together I'd say she's a keeper.

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Prolly just B-town and Haubstadt for me during Sprint Week. If I didn't have a family get together the weekend of June 26-28th I'd roll on up for the Sheldon Kinser Mem., Put the next night then the Jack Hewitt Classic at Kokomo on Sun. If those races are scheduled again like that next year I'm there!

Don't forget the MSCS/Powri double at Haubstadt on July 4th.:6:

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Petey, if you were coming up this weekend, I'd say you wanna do Paragon over Put. Big KISS show....always a pretty entertaining night!

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Great advice on Indiana Sprint Week. A fan for some 40 years, K'ville, Eldora, Pa., etc. nothing beats Sprint Week for competition, bargain, and camaraderie. I grew up in Indiana and very much enjoy retracing my roots while enjoying non-wing racing. I sail my boat for 7 months a year in the Caribbean, but come back primarily not to miss Sprint Week! (and my wife comes along, too). No comparison between Sprint Week and a dusty, follow the Schatzky Eldora!

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Drop a line if you are heading down.

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Yeah Kirk I know the KISS finale is this Sat. at Paragon Intl. Superspeedway.:2: Think it's gonna take an act of God for Team Foxco to win their fourth straight title now.:( Haubstadt was just plain awful for them two weeks ago. That'd be killer if that race was on the following weekend with Bloomington and Kokomo. Family reunion or not I'm gonna try to make plans to come up one of those weekends next year if the races are scheduled the same.

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The ice cream place is Ivanhoe's in Upland--just a few miles east of Gas City. 100 different flavors of shakes and 100 flavors of sundaes. If you don't find something you like, you can also create your own. Their "other" food isn't too bad either.

Re: indiana trip
 

Is this on the same road as the track?? Might have to try it out on the next trip up there.

Re: indiana trip
 

Speaking of keepers...my bride of 34 years this past Sunday always tells me to "have fun and be careful." I'm always tempted to reply, "but honey, how can I do both?"

Or..."Don't worry, dear. I'll be with (fill in the blank)."

Correct name for this should be Sprint Week(s).:6:

Re: indiana trip
 

Yes it is on State Road 22 in downtown Upland, IN. Take SR 22 east of the interstate about 3 miles. From an ice cream standpoint, if you can't find it there, it doesn't exist!:6::3:

---------- Post added at 10:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ----------

Danny,

She has been to section A so she knows that you will have fun and you better be careful with the 50/50 girls.;) Also, you would be better off not filling in the blank.:5:

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thank you for the information.