Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

First of all let me say this with all honesty - every American has the right to feedom of speech. And, when it comes to open wheel racing, I like many readers on this message board have seen America's best open wheelers battle it out on the nations racing grid irons.

Secondly, I recently read a comment by an IOW messageboard reader that kind of made me sit up and take notice, and send this post. I am not going to mention any names or say anything offensive, derogatory, or argumentative about the persons post. But, if it is at all possible, can the person who made the statement about "regional nobodies" at Belle Clair Speedway tell me from the partial list below of drivers, who he considers " regional nobodies," I would surely be enlightened by his knowledge and wisdom. And if there are any "regional nobodies" I have not listed below that you would like to include, feel free to do so.

Thirdly, what POWRi officials are you referring to as crooked? If you can answer this that is.

Fourth, the Hut 100 is by all means one of Americas pestigious midget races, and I do wish all drivers, racing teams and fans a good time.

Partial List of drivers who have raced midgets at Belle Clair Speedway
Steve Knepper
Nick Knepper
Kenny Brown
Austin Brown
Kenny Biro
Jerry Coons, Jr.
Dave Darland
Mike Hess
Mat Westfall
Chad Branson
Justin Allgaier
Bobby East
Cory Kruesman
Hud Cone
Donnie Lehmann
Brett Anderson
Brad Loyet
Brad Kuhn
Tim Siner
Dereck King
Rich Camfield
Gary Altig
Greg Lueckert
etc. etc. - the driver list is long and a great one.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Midwest Connection
Rich Edwards - Arnold, Missouri

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Agreed

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

:respect::applaud:

...now if you could post pictures of your partial list on this thread :thumb

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

It's a shame that these races are against each other. One of the big problems is that with the past poor mgt. at Terre Haute the dates have either been moved or missed all together and when making out schedules others tracks couldn't avoid a conflict.

This is the kind of things that have to get worked out over the Winter and weather USAC likes it or not, Powri is a strong org. that gets races and cars. They pay enough money that the prestiege of the Hut isn't enough for teams to skip Belleville.

I believe Powri is willing to work with USAC as long as USAC works with them, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I personally love the Midgets at Terre Haute and the Hut is a special race to me, but I don't blame the guys who want to run Belleville as it is a great Midget Track and is historic in it's own right.

Powri has got many good teams and drivers. Most aren't at the level of the USAC teams, but they aren't trying to be. Powri doesn't want to be USAC either. They want to provide a place for midgets and micros to race and be showcased and I believe they are doing a great job at it.

In my opinion they are as transparent as they can be and they are trying as hard as they can. As far as being crooked, I just find that hard to believe. When the series owners or their family members race, you will always have questions of improper acts, but I just don't believe they would knowingly cheat.

An example of their commitment to the racer: At Duquoin, a racer had problems with his motor warming it up. He came to a Powri official while I was speaking with the official and asked if he could have his money back.(I don't know if it was an Entry Fee/Pit Pass or both or what) Without hesitation the official directed him to the pit office and it was taken care of. They didn't have to do that. It's those types of small gestures though that go along way to making a guy choose between races and conflicting dates.

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Drew a few for you. Here are a few I had downloaded into Photobucket earlier. I am on my way up to Morgan County Speedway for the $6,000 to win non wing sprint car race tonight. If you want to see more photos from my collection I will send them your way.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Midwest Connection
Rich Edwards - Arnold, Missouri

Driver photos from Belle Clair Speedway, Illinois:
Steve Knepper
Shane Hollingsworth
Chad Branson
Joe and Ralph Ligouri
Cory Kruesman
Jerry Coons, Jr
Justin Allgaier
Tim Siner
Kenny Brown
Brad Loyet

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/100_6070.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/100_3126.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/100_3111.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...100_3158-1.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/100_6075.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/100_6053.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/100_6051.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/100_6068.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/100_6154.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/100_6056.jpg

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

pretty impressive bunch of nobody`s

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Rich,

You have to consider the source of this negative drivel. There are three people on this board who couldn't contribute a positive comment if their life depended on it. It is really sad to think how miserable their lives must be. I just laugh at how far out in left field some of their comments really are.:O:

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Thanks for the pics, Rich. See you in Jacksonville tonight.

I agree with Scott's assesment above.....USAC/Hut 100 is what it is.
POWRi/Little Belleville is what it is.

There is really no good reason to bash one against the other. Chris Morgan/Mike McCormick just has a case of the ass against POWRi for some reason....and it's gettin' old.

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Randy - I will be wearing a Bentley Warren racing shirt, and a black or tan Schaeffer Oil ball cap, with a camera around my neck and a camera around my waist. So, if you see someone who you think fits this description give me a shout. I will be in the pits taking photos for a while, but I will be in the grandstands for the features.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Midwest Connection
Rich Edwards - Arnold, Missouri

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

I don't know what to think, Certaintly not a bunch of nobodys. Terre had very few dates to choose from with USAC having two other divisions to run but choose this date and at least for this year are committed to it. The show must go on.

What every you decide to do. Have fun doing it!
Chuck

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Chuck, I read posts on this site and other racing sites as do you and others do, and sometimes it makes you sit back and stare in bewilderment at the things people say - knowing we all have a right to voice our opinions. I know many of the drivers and team owners, to put it mildly put forth a lot of "Blood, Sweat and Tears," keeping there racing progarms going for an entire racing year. It ain't easy, but they are "True Grit" racers and teams and they keep moving ahead. And, because two race tracks, so close in proximity have scheduled a midget race the same day, is no reason to critcize each other - I do believe. By my way of thinking Terre Haute and Belle Clair are two fine racing grid irons, and I hope they both have a strong driver and fan turnout - personally I like both race tracks. For me, from where I live in Missouri, it is only 2.5 hrs driving time to Terre Haute - up to Indiana, watch the racing, and head back to Missouri the same day. Like you said, "the show must go on," and it will, and I hope the racing is good at both race tracks.
Chuck my friend, I would very much like to have been able to get the time off to go to Haubstadt on Saturday for the $10,000 to win non wingers. But, I will be working Sunday so that is a no go for me. Always a lot of fun chatting racing with the fine folks from Indiana - a good time indeed. So, let me know how that race goes at Haubstadt if you are going - thanks.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Midwest Connection
Rich Edwards - Arnold, Missouri

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Oh Believe me Rich, I've said my share of stupid things but I've never called any driver a nobody and really have had only on problem with one driver and that was only in the sprint division where he apeared to be over his head and wreckless and careless.

Not once would I call anyone who puts their time, money and life on the line to do this. NOBODYS! Of course there are some that really haven't a prayer of winning for whatever reason. That doesn't mean they won't have bright spots or surpise performances and certainly they add to the show

I too work weekends. It's very hard to get to Non local shows except durring the mid summer when there is week night racing. I enjoy seeing these teams be it here or somewhere else.

Chuck

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

I still wonder why they could not run the Mods on Saturday and The Hut 100 as originally planned on Sunday afternoon.

This seems like the best answer for everybody involved.

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Thanks, Rich! See you at Jacksonville.

Tonight will be a good night for picture-taking! :thumb

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Rich,
It was nice to meet you tonight> Sure do enjoy a couple of the old pics everyday! Look forward to talking to ya again. Stop by anytime!
Mike Hess

Probably see ya next week at the big race of nobodies....lol

Re: Midwest Connection - Belle Clair nobody's OUCH!!!!
 

Thanks Mike, it was great chatting with you at MCS on Friday. I am looking forward to seeing you race the midget and talking racing again. I will be at Belle Clair on the 4th, and I am hoping to be able to get up to MCS on the 3rd.
Have a good day...see you at the races
Best of luck at Macon and Spoon River
Rich Edwards