2015 Battle at the Center?
 

Anybody know if the indoor midget race will be held at duqoin this December? Had yet to see anything officially scheduled and heard rumblings at Leffler Memorial this past Saturday that it wasn't happening this year due to Indy Invitational being scheduled week before what the potential Battle at the Center race date would have been. Just trying to get time off scheduled and any info is appreciated.

Re: 2015 Battle at the Center?
 

I saw somewhere that it is scheduled for 12/19

Sat. Dec. 19th is right!

They aren't having the Battle at The Center this year. I emailed them and they couldn't get the date they wanted.

Re: 2015 Battle at the Center?
 

It has been announced several times that it was scheduled for Dec. 19th. Jim Childers announced it at Haubstadt, and at the last POWRi race at Belle-Clair. It was on the POWRi website, but I don't see it now. I have sent an email to POWRi. I don't think a race in Indy a week before the Battle should have any effect on it. If anything, it might generate more interest.

I don't believe powri is putting it on but think usac may be doing it

Kenny Brown just replied to my email that they could not get the date; what a shame!

Bummer

There will be a midget race at Southern Illinois Center on December 19th. More details to come this week.

-Nick

Great to hear!!! Went for first time last year and had a blast.

Re: 2015 Battle at the Center?
 

Nick, I hope whoever runs it doesn't change the program. PowrI does such a great job of making it run smooth it will be hard to do with out someone that knows what they are doing. I always look forward to breaking out my Dad's old midget and having fun. So I hope this happens...

Re: 2015 Battle at the Center?
 

Sounds like it may be a change in sanctioning body issue, but I'm glad to hear a race will occur.

Re: 2015 Battle at the Center?
 

I just spoke with the people at the DuQuoin State Fair and they confirmed that a race will happen on Dec.19th at the Southern Illinois Center and it is sanctioned by USAC! :11;

Junior Knepper 55′ USAC Special Event December 19 at DuQuoin

By USAC PR (DuQuoin, IL) — A December 19 USAC Midget Special Event at the Southern Illinois Center adjacent to the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds will salute the memory of one of USAC’s most accomplished car owners.
The “Junior Knepper 55,” a 55-lap race honoring the famed car number which adorned Walter Knepper’s storied USAC race cars, will feature Midgets on a specially-constructed dirt oval inside the building located a stone’s throw from the first turn of
the “Magic Mile” south of DuQuoin.
The race will mark a return to indoor racing for USAC after an eight-year hiatus. Tony Stewart, who also owns a DuQuoin indoor victory, captured USAC’s last indoor race at Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind., the site of USAC’s inaugural race in January of 1956.
The last full USAC Midget race on dirt indoors was a 1990 race in the Reno (Nev.) Livestock Events Center won by Sleepy Tripp.
The December 19 special event will offer a format awarding position advancement through the prelims, similar to the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. Passing points from the heats and qualifiers will seed the lineups for the feature events. An open Hoosier Tire rule will be in effect with no weight or rev limits imposed. Additionally, no entry fee will be assessed to participants wishing to compete.
Also, as is the case for all USAC Midget events, drivers are not required to be USAC-licensed and no additional fees are assessed for temporary permits.
The Nick Knepper/Derek LeMaster promotion will honor Nick’s grandfather Walter Knepper, whose 58 career USAC feature victories included 34 in Sprints and 24 in Midgets, with drivers Bob Wente, Tom Bigelow, Mel Kenyon, George Snider, Dana Carter, Rich Vogler and Steve Knepper.

We originally weren't going to be able to attend due to a family commitment, but those plans have changed and now we are free on the 19th!! Can't wait to get back to DQ to watch this race. 👏🏻

Re: 2015 Battle at the Center?
 

Jen Sorry about the family commitment, but am sure glad you guys will be at DQ. WWHHOOOOOO :8:

Family commitment was just postponed. We are glad it's all going to work out!!

Re: 2015 Battle at the Center?
 

what is the name of the place that has fried blue gill? good food and some great racing don't get in better

Is this just USAC midgets only? No support classes

Midgets only as far as I know. If it is anything like last year support classes are not needed. It was a fantastic show. I have my tickets for this year.

Re: 2015 Battle at the Center?
 

They don't need support classes at all. The year I went there was 67 full up midgets. Ten hotlaps, Ten heats, 3 consi's 4 qualifer heats and a 40 laps feature.

They did about four scrape and waters and two full reworks to the track. both don't take long.

Re: 2015 Battle at the Center?
 

Chuck's BBQ in Herrin does. That is a great little restaurant and everything they make is real good.

Jerry