Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Saw on Tjslideways Salem dropped Usac from James O Conner memorial due to expected low car count.

Re: Salem drops Usac sptints
 

From USAC:



USAC SPRINTS REMOVED FROM SALEM’S “JAMES-O’CONNOR” CLASSIC


An expected low car count has led to removal of the USAC Pavement Sprints portion of the upcoming August 6 “Joe James/Pat O’Connor Classic” at the Salem (Ind.) Speedway.

We felt that the projected car count did not represent what we considered to be an event of the caliber that USAC wants to offer race fans and that has led to the decision by USAC and the race organizers to eliminate that portion of the August 6 program,” said USAC President/CEO Kevin Miller.

“We enjoy working with Salem track owner Owen Thompson and general manager Richard Deaton, but several circumstances have conspired to dictate this course of action. Unfortunately we are unable to offer a representative field of race cars we feel would maintain the rich tradition of this event and although we regret this announcement, we encourage race fans to support Salem Speedway and its plans for the August 6 racing program,” Miller continued.

“The USAC Pavement Sprint Cars will resume action August 18 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and we anticipate a representative field of cars for that event. We look forward to the continued support of our race fans on August 18 and beyond.”

Re: Salem drops Usac sptints
 

Compare the two responses--from Salem's website:

USAC SPRINTS SCRATCHED FROM JAMES/O’CONNOR
MEMORIAL DUE TO EXPECTED LOW CAR COUNT

Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series To Headline August 6th Classic
SALEM, IN, July 26 – Salem Speedway management announced today that the USAC National Pavement Sprint Car series has been removed from the event schedule for the upcoming Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial.

In making the announcement Salem Speedway general manager Richard Deaton said, “Due to the fact that we have been informed by USAC officials that a low car count is expected, possibly as few as six cars, it leaves us with no other option than to drop USAC from the event.”

The Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial, one of the most historic sprint races in the nation, will still take place on Saturday night, August 6th, with the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series headlining the night of racing action.

“We look forward to moving forward with the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series,” said Deaton. “We anticipate 20 to 25 of the top sprint car pavement teams in the country to be on hand for the 52nd annual classic.”

Such names as 2008 James/O’Connor winner Jacob Wilson, Aaron Pierce, JoJo Helberg, Jason Blonde, Jeff Bloom, Troy DeCaire, Jason Cox and Jimmy McCune are expected for the biggest night of open wheel racing of the season at Salem.

For tickets or more information call 812-883-6504 or toll free 1-888-246-7223

Re: Salem drops Usac sptints
 

Since it is now just a Must See Series race, I wonder if the $23 ticket price will remain or if a discount will be offered.

Re: Salem drops Usac sptints
 

Mike, I'd keep an eye on either the Salem website or MustSeeRacing's site. I'd ask Mr. Argabright but am not sure if he has any say so in that area.

Re: Salem drops Usac sptints
 

An adjusted ticket price will be announced on Wednesday. Check the Salem Speedway web site at www.salemspeedway.com or the Salem Speedway Facebook site for updates.

I can tell you the track is soley responsible for the ticket price.

With the WoO at Bloomington Friday night, it is a chance to get a belly full of wing racing, if that's what you're into...
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Re: Salem drops Usac sptints
 

time for usac to run dirt sprints on asphalt/ or just drop the pavement sprints as it seems

Re: Salem drops Usac sptints
 

Keep plugging away, Richard. Loving history as I do, I'd hate to see this race go away.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

The track had to do this. There are not enough USAC pavement cars. If you remember on this very message board in anticipation of last years event, when discussing car counts, the numbers were really low and several here were making such comments as "were not going."

I had no problem with it (not going) as last year was the first JJ/PO race I had missed in over ten years.

The Xtreme Series has more cars, they may even have a field of twenty or so!

Re: Salem drops Usac sptints
 

Originally Posted by Danny Burton:
Keep plugging away, Richard. Loving history as I do, I'd hate to see this race go away.

Thanks, Danny. This is certainly not want anyone wanted, but the history will continue and the MSR guys will put on a great show.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

There are plenty of pavement cars. Just not enough willing to burn up thousands in rubber for a 1400 to win purse.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

I was there last year and the promoter flat out lied to me.

The show started of great, with qualies and heats. The promoter said the old time cars would not take up track time from the racers, wrong.

After the heats and the semis there was over 90 minutes of down time with no cars on the track, including the old timers.

There was like 30 cars in total and the show did not end until damn near midnight. Cars on the track for driver intros for both series.

I am sorry but, 5 hours to see 30 cars run is out of the question. Unless things change for USAC or other open wheel events I will never go back to Salem.

And, keep in mind I talked to the promoter on the phone and he assured me what happened, would not happen.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

OK This will be my first and only post but i had to do it. First the reason for the low car count for this upcoming race is the midgets in belleville and the sprints at nebraska and knoxville. Not the purse which is 2500 not 1400. We love to race Salem and with no conflicts you would have at least 15 of the best cars and drivers in the country.
Tracy Hines

ONLY THE FACTS MAAM SGT. FRIDAY

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Wish they would run this race in October as they used to.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

thanks for the facts Tracy but 15 cars is still pathetic. Time to make drastic changes.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Originally Posted by 767:
thanks for the facts Tracy but 15 cars is still pathetic. Time to make drastic changes.

Doesnt give me the warm and fuzzies about the possible car count for the Vogler Classic at Winchester

I've always sorta felt like the number of cars was low for the August USAC sprint race @ Salem, as well as all 'post Sprint Week' pavement sprint races.
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Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

I would prefer more cars but i have seen some of the best shows ever on pavement with 16 to 19 cars. The tops cars always are there and all race each other close.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Originally Posted by 767:
thanks for the facts Tracy but 15 cars is still pathetic. Time to make drastic changes.

Agreed that 15 cars is not enough but last year's race was about as good as high bank sprint car racing can be. Quality cars, outstanding drivers lots of passing up front. I really hate to see this, the James/O'Connor race has always been one of my favorites.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Originally Posted by Dyno Don:
I was there last year and the promoter flat out lied to me.

The show started of great, with qualies and heats. The promoter said the old time cars would not take up track time from the racers, wrong.

After the heats and the semis there was over 90 minutes of down time with no cars on the track, including the old timers.

There was like 30 cars in total and the show did not end until damn near midnight. Cars on the track for driver intros for both series.

I am sorry but, 5 hours to see 30 cars run is out of the question. Unless things change for USAC or other open wheel events I will never go back to Salem.

And, keep in mind I talked to the promoter on the phone and he assured me what happened, would not happen.

Whoa, we will accept criticism, but we have to say something when the facts are so out of line. First of all the races ended before 10:30 not midnight as stated here. The ambulance crew signed out at 10:25 p.m., so the races were probably over at about 10:15. It would take at least 10 minutes for the EMT’s to make their way to the office, turn in their radio and sign out. The order of the program was Must See Racing (MSR) heat races, USAC heat races, MSR Last Chance Race, MSR 30-lap feature and USAC 50-lap feature. A select group of vintage cars were on the track after the MSR Last Change Race to allow the race teams time to prepare for their feature event. If my memory is correct we did do a short autograph session before the feature races, but no way did we have an hour and-a-half of down time with nothing on the track. If I have to choose between making some young kid happy with a prized autograph (and maybe a lifelong race fan) or getting someone home 15 minutes early, I will go with the kid every time. 22 cars answered the call for the MSR sprints last year and 14 for the USAC show.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Originally Posted by High Banks:
Whoa, we will accept criticism, but we have to say something when the facts are so out of line. First of all the races ended before 10:30 not midnight as stated here. The ambulance crew signed out at 10:25 p.m., so the races were probably over at about 10:15. It would take at least 10 minutes for the EMT’s to make their way to the office, turn in their radio and sign out. The order of the program was Must See Racing (MSR) heat races, USAC heat races, MSR Last Chance Race, MSR 30-lap feature and USAC 50-lap feature. A select group of vintage cars were on the track after the MSR Last Change Race to allow the race teams time to prepare for their feature event. If my memory is correct we did do a short autograph session before the feature races, but no way did we have an hour and-a-half of down time with nothing on the track. If I have to choose between making some young kid happy with a prized autograph (and maybe a lifelong race fan) or getting someone home 15 minutes early, I will go with the kid every time. 22 cars answered the call for the MSR sprints last year and 14 for the USAC show.

I wouldn't worry about Dyno Don. He hates everything and only comes here to complain. He's been the butt of people's jokes for years around here, because of his propensity to complain. He doesn't like support classes. He gets pissed if he has to stay past 9:00. He doesn't like it if he pulls up to a track and sees motorcycles. Says he's been targeted by the Lawrenceburg police, who are conspiring with Rudisell to prevent him from drinking beer he didn't buy from the track. Etc., etc., etc.

Jerry

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

I will be there for the Wing Sprints. It was a good show this spring. Maybe they can get the stock cars that completed the program last spring both classes were good racing.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

I hope everyone attends the Salem race. The Must See Series will have a great group of cars. I also hope everyone will support the next USAC sprint car show at IRP (Lucas Oil Raceway). Regardless of the car count both series produce very good races. As a racer who has an ownership stake in a pavement sprint car I can tell all of you the ONLY thing that will help this form of the sport grow is your support. I understand this site allows many of you a voice and I think it is important for the fans to show their passion. That said, I can say with a great deal of confidence that the owners, drivers and sactioning bodies are doing all they can to help pavement sprint car racing grow. All that we ask is that the fans continue to support this style of racing, stay positive and come out to the races.

Thanks to all the fans. See you at a pavement sprint car race soon.
Brian Gerster

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

I am very glad you guys seen an excellent 14 car race last year. Yes I know car count does not equal good racing. The last 2 USAC sprint car races I was at had 16 and 17 cars. While the features were good (no complaints at all) the heats were nothing but follow the leader, no passes at all. They even ran a last chance race where all cars qualified. That race had 1 pass in it. Car counts have drastically fallen off, but yet ticket prices have not dropped any. Do I go pay 15-20 bucks to watch apavement race, or do I go support a short track and pay 10-15 bucks to see twice as many cars, where all of the races mean something? I for 1 love watching the sprints on asphault but something has to change. I have no problem at all supporting a Usac sprint show but I will not go out of my way to attend one anymore. To the person that said the best of the best are still showing up..... hard to say that when I see several of the "BEST" running on dirt the same night.

The problems here run deeper than just one show at one track.

Perhaps it is time to consider reining in this glut of classes and sub-classes. Every manner of entertainment from motorsports to county fair attendance has taken a massive nose dive this summer. It looks like next summer will be the same or worse. The ability of the public's entertainment budget to stretch to include all the niche racing classes has diminished.

Simplify and go back to square one. A Sprinter is so big and so heavy. A midget is smaller. A mini-sprint is a make-believe name to avoid calling something a midget. A Sprint car is a Sprint car whether on dirt or pavement and should run very similar gear regardless of the surface.

Sanctioning bodies need to climb out of the parts sellers' beds and go with the cheapest, most common, most universally used tires.

A few of the travelling series just need to fold as they are unsustainable and bankrupting their participants.

Some folks will find their rides obsoleted by all of this but the current situation needs to adapt to the current reality.
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Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Originally Posted by Jerry Shaw:
I wouldn't worry about Dyno Don. He hates everything and only comes here to complain. He's been the butt of people's jokes for years around here, because of his propensity to complain. He doesn't like support classes. He gets pissed if he has to stay past 9:00. He doesn't like it if he pulls up to a track and sees motorcycles. Says he's been targeted by the Lawrenceburg police, who are conspiring with Rudisell to prevent him from drinking beer he didn't buy from the track. Etc., etc., etc.

Jerry

First off you do not know me from Adam. You do not know what I really think.What gives you the right to spew venom about me that is not true? Were you there when the LPD searched my car? And told me they were asked to do so by the track. On the July. '07 event, I was the talk of the track about my run in with LPD. The same thing happend in Sept.'09 at the Burg.

Yes I get upset about too many classes, because I am a Sprintcar fan. If I wanted to see Bomber, Street Stocks or Modifieds I can go 15 minutes from home and see them at The Speedrome for a lot less money than an USAC show costs,not to mention the travel cost.

As for as shows running late, football game is 3 hour,basketball game is 2 hours and a Hockey game is 2.5 hours. Why would anyone want to sit around for 5 or more hours to see maybe 45 minutes of what they came to see?

If more people stood up to promoters, you might just get less classes and shorter shows. And God forbid you might get home at a decent hour.
Me thinks you are one of those old farts that does not come to the track to see racing, but to sit around and BS with your cronies. The track is just a place for you to meet.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Less classes means more people out of the sport and doing what they love..

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Originally Posted by Dyno Don:
First off you do not know me from Adam. You do not know what I really think.What gives you the right to spew venom about me that is not true? Were you there when the LPD searched my car? And told me they were asked to do so by the track. On the July. '07 event, I was the talk of the track about my run in with LPD. The same thing happend in Sept.'09 at the Burg.

Yes I get upset about too many classes, because I am a Sprintcar fan. If I wanted to see Bomber, Street Stocks or Modifieds I can go 15 minutes from home and see them at The Speedrome for a lot less money than an USAC show costs,not to mention the travel cost.

As for as shows running late, football game is 3 hour,basketball game is 2 hours and a Hockey game is 2.5 hours. Why would anyone want to sit around for 5 or more hours to see maybe 45 minutes of what they came to see?

If more people stood up to promoters, you might just get less classes and shorter shows. And God forbid you might get home at a decent hour.
Me thinks you are one of those old farts that does not come to the track to see racing, but to sit around and BS with your cronies. The track is just a place for you to meet.

Point is, you called the man a liar, here on this forum. Which is a pretty serious charge. I merely pointed out to him that he should not worry about being harmed by anything you say here and that you have exactly ZERO credibility around this forum, because of the fact that 95% of the posts you've ever made here, were to complain about something. That, Dyno Don, is an undeniable fact. When you were a little boy, didn't your momma ever read "The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf" to you?

And BTW, not only do I probably go to a hell of a lot more races than you, when I do, you NEVER see me leaving when there are 5 or 10 laps left in the feature. When somebody, like me, who actually enjoys the races, complains about something, unlike you, people actually take me seriously.

Jerry

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Originally Posted by Dyno Don:
Me thinks you are one of those old farts that does not come to the track to see racing, but to sit around and BS with your cronies. The track is just a place for you to meet.

hey dyno doo that is part of the enjoyment , have a few cold ones , bs about the races we've seen and the ones we missed . try sometime it might change your out look on life .

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Originally Posted by mowerman:
hey dyno doo that is part of the enjoyment , have a few cold ones , bs about the races we've seen and the ones we missed . try sometime it might change your out look on life .

I missed one last week and I think I was there.:21:

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

I'll probably be there. I'll miss the USAC cars, but injoy the old timers and if you have never seen the winged sprints at Salem it is a must see. They do things on that old track that would and have got non winged driver's killed. The first time I saw one of those things drop off the bank and head for inside of 1 and 2 turn I closed my eyes. They look like they were designed for that track and put on one hell of a good race.

DAD

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Tracy Hines and High Banks, thank you for setting the facts straight on the James O Conner Memorial race at Salem.

767, while I have never considered a low car count at a race track pathetic, I do believe many race fans over look what factors can cause that low car count. Tracy pointed out in this case it is scheduling conflicts. All racing series have been facing low car counts over the past several years and the reason is never the same. Just recently ISMA traveled to a new track for them in Canada an only had 13 supers started the feature. Did the fact that it was eight hours one way for the teams hauling from Central N. Y., the need for a passport or enhanced drivers license play into the low car count for this race? It is probably a safe bet that answer is yes.


Todays economy has effcted the racing community as it has just about everything else - hard. Travel expenses for the teams are higher, sponsorship money is harder to fine and teams are finding it harder and harder to get to the race track on a regular bases.

Over the past several years there is only one racing situation where I have personally seen car count increase significantly that required the sale of Oswego Speeday to achieve. The past sevral years they were lucky if they had a full field of 24 to start the feature, this year the last race I was at two weeks ago they had to run a 12 car consi. Car counts being high enough to run a consi probably haven't happend in the past eight years at Oswego they have become the normal again at Oswego.

Please don't feel I was calling 767 out for any reason, his use of the word pathetic and the fact that Oswego is closed this week for the Sandusky Classic along with the low vendor turn out this weekend at this years Harborfest Event in Oswego just started me thinking.

Todays economy effects everything not just racing.

Patti

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Here is news on the ticket prices from Salem's website:

PNC pits open at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, with spectator gates opening at 3 p.m. Practice is set to start at 3:30 p.m., with qualifications at 5:45 p.m. and the first race at 7 p.m.

Advance adult general admission tickets are priced at $18 for adults and $3 for children, age 7-12. Kids, age 6 and under, are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Advance reserved seat tickets are priced at $23 each. All prices are $2 more on day of race.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

no thanks, no salem this time

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

You can count me in, I'll be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Isn't it obvious USAC had no intention of trying to run this race once they booked the race the night before in Lincoln, NE. I'm guessing this is their way of pressuring Belleville to bring them back for the Nationals. This date no longer fit into USAC's plans. If the track was serious about keeping this race going they would have agreed on a different date that was more condusive to a good car count. My suggestion would be to make it a Sliver Crown race until they figure out what to do with the sprinters. How many winged sprint car races did Joe James or Pat O'Connor race in. They would be insulted by this.

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

i'd say if usac isn't able to provide a full field of pavement cars, no one'll book em next year

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

As previously pointed out by Tracy Hines and ThrowbackRacingTeam, it sure seems like scheduling is to blame more than anything else. USAC runs in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, Salem on Saturday, and then Knoxville, Iowa on Sunday?? Seems foolish to schedule like that. Maybe an honest mistake, or maybe an attempt to hurt Belleville Nataionals....

Even under the previous points structure, which included pavement, there would not have been a very good car count. Only those still in the hunt for the championship would have even attempted it in my opinion. But, when the pavement is irrelevant to the 'main' sprint car championship, who will show up to compete in this particular instance? Never should been scheduled in such a way......

Just my opinion. :32:

Re: Salem drops USAC Sprints
 

Patti sorry if i offended you by using the word pathetic. Come on this is a USAC show. Its also a sprint car show. Sprint cars are one of the most popular classes in Indiana. I understand this is a pavement race, but if things were changed they would have no problem getting a full field of cars even with there schedule conflict. It wasn't all that long ago that there were only like 7-10 usac regualrs that would show up. The rest of the field would be filled by a variety of drivers. Heck some guys used to be able to make a little money by showing up to a pavement race. Where are all of those cars that ran or failed to qualify for the little 500? not all of them were winged cars, not all of them were from outside of this area, and not all of them are purpose built for that race. What does it take to get 6 to 10 of them to show up? The lack of effort is the frustrating part. I'll leave it be though. I enjoy the wings.