Angel Park Track Reviews
 

So how was the racing last weekend with the reconfigured track? Heading there next Sunday for the IRA winged 410's, should be interesting.

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

I saw some pictures on Twitter and it was hard to tell what happened with the guard rail. It was obvious that it was taken down in the pictures, but it was not obvious what other changes they made. I would have thought that they would have removed the guard rail in the turns but put it around the chain link fence. In the pictures I saw, it did not look that way. If not, were they still pitting in the middle of the track?

Slide job city. The tires and concrete blocks look crappy compared to the way it used to. The track was prepped harder and dustier than what it used to be but that's how wing guys like it so I'm sure you will. Also none of these modern day drivers drink beer or party afterwards so they no longer had the traditional party in the pavilion. They used the outside parking for the national midget pit which doesn't have the ambiance that the infield had. All in all, the racing was good especially if you're a fan of Keith kunz' 3 cars that ran away with everything and you don't mind them only inverting 4 in the feature. What a joke. If I'd never been there before I might have liked it but since I first went there 32 years ago, I left somewhat depressed. That capped off my Memorial week where I saw only 24 cars show up for the Hulman Classic, the crown cars slip slide on the sand at the fairgrounds at 37 seconds/lap, 11 midgets at the night before the 500 and yet another road coarse driver win the 500. I need a time machine to get me out of this nightmare.

Yes they pitted some cars in the infield and there is only a fence to protect them. That is a recipe for disaster.

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

"If I'd never been there before I might have liked it but since I first went there 32 years ago, I left somewhat depressed"

This statement sums up Angell Park the best. I see everyone raving about how good some other tracks are, yet they still are covered in a cloud of dust. Or they have to sit through 3 other classes of garbage, or sit through an hour of track prep just to show a half way decent feature event. I just think fans today don't really know what an awesome track really is or could be. The best race track ever was Angell Park in the hey day.

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

Originally Posted by RayPro33:
"If I'd never been there before I might have liked it but since I first went there 32 years ago, I left somewhat depressed"

This statement sums up Angell Park the best. I see everyone raving about how good some other tracks are, yet they still are covered in a cloud of dust. Or they have to sit through 3 other classes of garbage, or sit through an hour of track prep just to show a half way decent feature event. I just think fans today don't really know what an awesome track really is or could be. The best race track ever was Angell Park in the hey day.

That was probably the best post about Angell Park that I ever read.

I remember telling my wife about the races there, and she could not understand it. How many classes were there? Only one. How many cars? around 20 Were the tickets discounted? No, I had to pay a premium. Did you have fun? It was awesome. It was a great night or racing, and I can't wait to go back.

I understand that nothing stays the same, and the track has to find a way to pay the bills. However, I wish we could go back and time to a better time at Angell Park.

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

Originally Posted by RayPro33:
"If I'd never been there before I might have liked it but since I first went there 32 years ago, I left somewhat depressed"

This statement sums up Angell Park the best. I see everyone raving about how good some other tracks are, yet they still are covered in a cloud of dust. Or they have to sit through 3 other classes of garbage, or sit through an hour of track prep just to show a half way decent feature event. I just think fans today don't really know what an awesome track really is or could be. The best race track ever was Angell Park in the hey day.

Where was Davey?

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

I was only able to be there Sunday night as I was pitting on a car at the Little 500 Saturday night. Yes the Kunz cars dominated. But Thorson and Bell put on an absolute show in the feature last night. That was the best race for the checkers I have seen in 3-4 years at the Prairie. Removing the guardrail has NOT decreased the action on the track. Basically the tires are in the exact same spot as the guardrail was. What has decreased the racing however, is the clay. I was not aware they brought in new clay this year but had a couple people tell me that last night. That was a shame to hear since the stuff they had the last couple years was really racy. The new stuff is gritty/sandy and absolutely FULL of little pebbles. When USAC, POWRi and Badger all run on the track I think there will still be great shows. It seems like removing the guardrail has given guys more confidence in throwing slidejobs back and fourth. Very very curious about what kind of show the USAC sprints put on next month. And also, people were worried about APS not being run on the cushion because of the guardrail being removed. This also is NOT the case. Feature was won on the cush last night, and the cush was right on the fence in turns 1 & 2. I will continue to support racing at APS as it is in my backyard. I agree it is not the same as it was back in the hay day, but that has nothing to do with the track itself. It has to do with money ruining the sport I love.

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

I was at the 500 and kokomo sunday but did make Saturday. I thought the racing was good as always. I didn't see that the rail gone changed much. I don't see much added run of area or a wider track for the sprints unless they remove some of the tires or move them further in for them. I think the concrete on the front looks a bit unsafe IMO. And I agree if they would of moved the rail in by the chain link fence that would add some safety to folks in the infield. from a fans point of view the track looked well prepped and was racey. I was not aware of the new clay mentioned and there was a good dust cloud for the winged mini race which is not normally seen. I found it hard to see that the banking was changed. All in all I didn't see any negatives. So hopefully the positives will emerge and we can keep this gem of a race track around.

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

I was there on Sunday night, and the A-main was fantastic because of the battle for the win. I think the lead may have changed hands about 5 times in the last 3 laps. And they just weren't slidejobbing each other, they were running into each other too. Intense is the word to describe it.

I didn't miss the guardrail and don't feel it made much of a difference in the racing. I could see a visual difference in the banking of the track though, definitely a bit more. As for the clay, it was nice not getting hit with huge clods of dirt like before, but the dust was pretty bad. The one thing that I would change is making sure there is only a 10 to 15 minute break to work on the track, I think Sunday's break dragged on for a half hour. On Sunday nights I think it's important to have the show wrapped up by 9:30 so the kiddies aren't up too late. Also, during the break the announcer needs to engage the crowd.

As for the old days, well they are long gone. Don't forget that just a couple of years ago a good night at Sun Prairie was bringing 12 midgets and there were some nights they had single digits. Having 27 is a far cry from those supposed "good old days". And while I may not care that much for the lower classes, the numbers in those have also increased through the last couple of seasons. You got to have a feeder series, so be it. I'd love to see, and I'm sure the promoters would also love to see this, that each Sunday there are over 90 cars in the pits for all divisions. Now that would ensure a good show every week.

Don't care for the lower classes? I own a restricted midget/sportsman midget/ midget lite because that is what I can afford. We won the heat Saturday night going away and ran it up to 2nd in the main before the fuel pump imploded ending our weekend. We gave up a 75 point lead in the IMRA Midget Lites to come run at the famed Angell Park Speedway.....so we come and support the show but we are not supported? This is how my brother and I can race but it's good to know people don't much care for us.....

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

Matt,
I know that's what he said but I don't think it was ment in a negative tone. You guys keep coming up here, it's a great place to race and an even better place to hone your skills no matter what division you race in.

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

Where was Pickens?

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

Matt- Keep coming to Angell Park!
Best Regards,
John:32:

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

Matt, I know the Hung Throttle guys pretty well. Ive been on the podcast a few times as well. They also had Ray Seach and Derrick Gough on there during their Illini Racing Series runs. Please, don't take that how it sounded. Those guys support any and all forms of racing I promise you that. Hey Lugnut......how about a show coming up soon with the boys from SETRacing? Heck, I'll even show up too. Thats if you'd want an old washed up/never was. haha

Angel Park Track Reviews..........
 

Originally Posted by Tim Watson:
Where was Pickens?

Tim...think it was heard hes running a few Sprint Cars with help from the Kaeding crew!!..........
____________
Brucer':32:

Originally Posted by SETracing:
Don't care for the lower classes? I own a restricted midget/sportsman midget/ midget lite because that is what I can afford. We won the heat Saturday night going away and ran it up to 2nd in the main before the fuel pump imploded ending our weekend. We gave up a 75 point lead in the IMRA Midget Lites to come run at the famed Angell Park Speedway.....so we come and support the show but we are not supported? This is how my brother and I can race but it's good to know people don't much care for us.....

Sorry about that, I didn't mean for my comments to come off that way. Poor choice of words on my part. I've got nothing but respect for anybody who puts on a helmet and do love all racing. It was meant to relate back to the days when Sunday nights had one division and 30+ cars showed up. Like I said, I hope every week 90 cars show up for all 3 divisions, that would be great for the track and the fans in the stands.

This Sunday they are running 4 classes, IRA, Badger Midgets, 600's and Legends. While the IRA will be the only class large enough for a b main still too many classes. Isn't the AP curfew 10:00 pm!

Re: Angel Park Track Reviews
 

“Norm Nelson Classic next at Angell Park”
Badger Midgets, Micros, IRA Sprints, Legends-June 1


By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Prairie, Wis., May 27---The "1st annual Norm Nelson Classic" is slated for Sunday Night June 1 at Angell Park Speedway, and will feature four divisions: The All-New Zimbrick Chevrolet of Sun Prairie/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Racing Series, Badger 600 Micros, IRA Bumper to Bumper Outlaws Sprint Cars Series and the Wisconsin Dirt Legends.

The race will honor Norm Nelson who won the first ever midget feature at the track on June 2, 1946. Nelson also won inaugural Interstate Racing Association (IRA) Championship in 1960. Nelson's career is also highlighted by three USAC National Stock Car Championships, and 35 USAC Stock Car wins. Nelson's eleven victories at the famed Milwaukee Mile place him second on the all-time win list.

The event will be one of two events at the track for IRA, and ends a twenty-nine year absence of Winged 410 Sprint Car racing at the track. Grandstands open at 4:30 pm, practice and qualifying beginning at 6:00 pm, with racing to follow.

Current Points:
Badger Midgets: 1. Christopher Bell 319; 2. Tanner Thorson 242; 3. Rico Abreu 240; 4. Parker Price-Miller 200; 5. Zach Daum 198; 6. Daniel Robinson 172; 7. Jake Blackhurst 147; 8. Andrew Felker 143; 9. Darren Hagen 119; 10. Scott Hatton 115.

Badger 600 Micros:1. Brandon Sletten 345; 2. Tory Strauss 282; 3. Will Gerrits 266; 4. Matt Paderta 238; 5. Chad Bogar 222; 6. Ben Paderta 220; 7. Bobby Ollerman 181; 8. Zach Boden 175; 9. Dusty Gerrits 166; 10. Vance Lein 166.
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