Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all drivers!
 

Just 1 week away and we are dying to see some non-wing goodness here in Illinois at the Champaign Co. WAR fair race Friday July 21st! Would love to see some Indiana shoes roll into this event! Any word on who may be attending? Lets get the ball rolling and get an awesome car and fan count for this show! We need more non-wing in Illinois! :6::22::6::22:

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Would this be a 1/4 mile with no walls inside of what appears to be a 1/2 mile horse track. Would auto racing have been held on the 1/2 mile many years ago?

Either way we'll be there but if it's the same venue we have some memories of racing there in the past that should make this event very nostalgic for us.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Saw a number of races on the half mile '60s & '70s. Don't remember the quarter, but Allen Brown's "History of America's Speedways" says there was one there.
There was also Champaign Motor Speedway, aka Twin City Speedway, that had a quarter inside a half. Only lasted from '73 until '79, I believe.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Yes it is the quarter mile that they got going now. Praying they have a good turn out of cars and fans. Would love to see more and more non-wing excitement here in Illinois! There is always something nostalgic about fair events too which makes for a cool atmosphere!

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

I have found conflicting accounts of what is known as Champaign Motor Speedway. Ultimate Racing History has race results from as far back as 1959 and as recent as 1975 at a track known as Champaign Motor Speedway. I'm not sure what track that would have been but I do remember the speedway near Fisher, Illinois, which is north and a little west of Champaign-Urbana. It was a big half mile that I believe went by Champaign Motor Speedway, as well. The track near Fisher was open throughout most of the time I was in college. A couple of us ventured up to that track from C-U for an event or two during the brief time it was open.

Obscure remnants of the track near Fisher, Illinois can still be seen if you know where to look.

I was not aware that there was another track besides the fairgrounds and Fisher. If someone knows the whole story regarding these tracks please enlighten us.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

ISF, I think we're talking about the same place, as the location was listed on Dewey- Fisher Road. Info I have is first race 9/23/73,
last race 4/14/79, torn down spring 1980. Recent aerial photos show remnants of the track, but photos from 1969 show farm land.
I was there maybe 5-6 times, including the night Dick Gaines suffered his career ending injuries.
Looking at the Ultimate Racing History site, I think the '59,'60, &'61 results shown are actually from the Fairgrounds.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

I think you're probably correct on all counts. Thanks for the clarifications.

They held a couple of fairly big late model races at the track near Fisher. A driver from very near my home who I knew well was one of the hot dogs of that era and he competed in a couple of relatively big races for that time and geographical area. I remember it being very fast. Scary fast, actually.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Guys, thanks for the info about the dirt track near Fisher, IL. I always wondered about the history of that track, as it was definitely out in the country. Very few of my older friends knew anything about it. In May 1978 or 79 (?), I went to see a Sunday afternoon race at that track that was being tape delayed for TV, maybe NBC? My girl friend and I actually got on camera that day. I'm pretty sure it was a World of Outlaw race, as it was a winged race on the big half mile. I remember the pits being jammed with cars. Love thinking about the old days.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

I was there in 74 or 75 for the Il. State Championship for LM and Sprint cars. I still got a program I will have to dig it out, but I remember it was a huge track. We are planning on coming over and running with WAR on Friday night.

I seen a few sprint races there. It was straight north of Champaign alittle east of interstate 57. Seen Sammy Swindell in the Fed Ex car I believe, Ferkel in the 0, pretty sure Steve Kinser was there in the 11 of Karl Kinser.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Sprinter 31, how awesome you were at the track. At that time I lived in Streator, IL. My house was next door to a body shop that many times worked on the late model driven by Jack Tyne. Tyne has bought a new sleek Camaro to race at Fisher and other big tracks. During the fall of one of those mid 70's years, I remember one of their guys telling me how big a race was in Champaign and how many cars were at the race. It must have been this track. Probably the same for sprint cars, too. Wish I could have gotten there more.

Thanks for your info.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

It just so happened that we were at a wedding in champaign on that Saturday. My Dad being a huge race fan was talking to someone at the weeding and found out there were races that night so we went. Sent my Mom and sister home with friends and we went to the races in our suit clothes. LoL. I was 14 or 15 at the time. Now we are headed back with my son running our family sprinter. I am happy that Casey is bringing Non wing racing back to Illinois.

I'll probably be heading to champaign friday night. I too am curious what kind of a field will be present. Would love it if some Indiana cars made their way over on Friday and Saturday too (Spoon River saturday) Hoping for a great non-wing double header in Illinois!

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Just a few days away! Any word on who might make the short trip over to illinois for a non-wing double header weekend?! Lets pack the pits and stands!

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

We'll be there. I've never attended a race at this track (or the 1/2 mile) even though I spent a few years of my life in close proximity. I love attending venue's we've never seen before.

We live less than 2 hours away and it's great to have 410 wingless sprint car racing so close to home. Fairbury, Champaign and Canton are all well within driving distance from us and it's been literally decades since there was 3 wingless races so close to home.

Really hope these groundbreaking events start a trend for the future!!

I was out there at noon. It looks great. They started watering last night. Got an inch of rain this morning and they are back watering again this afternoon. All the fair food you want is right behind the grandstand including bathrooms, not porta pottys.
The grandstands are old school fairgrounds, covered, facing the north, so theres no sun in your eyes or hot seats to sit on.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

1 day away! Non-wing racing in illinois! So pumped! Hoping to see some marquee names in the pits and a packed grandstand! Leaving work early so we can get there and sample some fair food! :22::22::22::22::22:

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Pretty excited too! Really hoping to see some Indiana boys come mix it up over here in Illinois. I can rarely make it over to Indiana to see these guys so hoping for at least a few to pop in on Friday. But if not, should still be a good time. Also saw it was a TV race so good exposure for sponsors. I've been wanting to see a non-wing race at Spoon River for a long time, so I am pretty stoked for Saturday as well!

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Can't wait to see what drivers make this show tonight! I'd think with it being taped for tv and 2k to win there would surely be a few indiana shoes make the short trip over! Not getting to go to as many shows this year so hoping this one will be a good one!

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

This show is $2000.00 to win?

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

This is from the "WAR at Belle Clair" post from CShuman

"The WAR East Sprints will be at the Champaign Co. Fairgrounds this Friday July 21st. This show will be $2,000 to win, $200 to start and will be taped for the MAVTV "Dirty 30" show. Then Saturday the 22nd they will be at Spoon River Speedway for another $2,000 to win show. Still looking for an opportunity to get back to Belleville."

Hope to see an awesome group of cars, also another new track for me! Always cool to see a new venue.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Thanks Babbfan.

As was mentioned earlier, we're hoping this show will entice some of the Indiana non wingers to venture over into the Land O' Lincoln & crooked politicians with the hopes of picking off a couple of thousand.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

I hope so too! Haven't been able to get over to Indiana as much as I'd like, so here's hoping they come to us!

Anybody know start time and which other classes are running? Coolers? Ticket price? Thanks.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

It says hot laps slated for 6.
Only other class is d2 midgets.
We were told $5 to get into the fair which includes parking and $10 to get into the race

Just called the track, "no coolers. Can bring in bottled water, but no coolers or cans, or bottles.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Thanks Jim.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

That would've been my guess. Seems like the whole bringing your cooler into the race is more of an Indiana thing. Lucky ducks. At DuQuoin last year I took my backpack cooler into the infield for the champ car race (which I felt pretty awkward about since the pits were in the infield) but I wasn't the only one knocking them back so.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

Know how Sprint Cars is there

26 Grant, Windom, Simon, Coons

Here are the line-ups.

Whats track look like?

A-MAIN line-up

Chris Windom wins.

Full A-MAIN finish.

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

It was a decent show and I will go back. Good solid field of cars with only a couple of cars way off the pace in the heat races. Everyone who took the green for the A-main was up to speed. They had a decent crowd and it was a fun atmosphere with the Champaign County Fair in full swing. The facilities were what one would expect of a county fairgrounds track which is to say that it had that charm of a fair setting. Maybe not the state of the art facility of some venue's but not a bad place, either. I personally liked it.

Some tweaking could be done, however. The Intermission between the D II midget A-main and the WAR Sprint Car A-main was a bit too long. There may have been a good reason for it but it seemed to take a good long time to get the A-main going.The PA system could have been a bit louder for those who only attend races occasionally. It really wasn't a huge problem for those of us who recognize the cars and know who's driving them.

The D II midgets put on a very good show in spite of a short field of cars. Their heat race and their A-main were both good solid performances.

The WAR A-main was very good almost all the way through. Windom stretched it out in the last 1/4 of the race. It looked as if Justin Grant might have something for Clouser for second but he wasn't able to get close enough to make a serious challenge. Zack Daum seemed to be the big mover in the A-main. J.C. Jr. passed several cars, as well. Felt bad for the A-main pole-sitter Mitch Wissmiller. Mitch is a local guy (from Saybrook) and probably would have had a good finish had the car not developed problems.

The track was good all night with some minor roughness in a couple of places. It never really developed a legitimate high groove but it was fairly racy for both A-mains.

All in all it was a good night of racing with only minor glitches that may be due to the fact that the facility doesn't host many events. I really hope this becomes a fair-time tradition. We really enjoyed the evening.

Thanks for coming out! The fairgrounds staff was great to work with, and the racers put on a good race on a tough, technical track.. looking forward to another fun night at Spoon River!

Re: Champaign co. Fair war non-wing race: Calling all driver
 

The guys are sure to put on an exemplary show at Spoon. Sadly we won't be able to make it down to Canton for this one. Family gathering that would be injurious for me if I was not in attendance! LOL! We hope it goes off as well and and is as entertaining as the Champaign show!

In our area of the Midwest we've been starved for winless sprint car racing for quite some time. We sincerely thank you for bringing these quality shows to our area and we'll support them at every opportunity!