Kirk, given the way you paint a rosy picture of a situation that sucked, you have a bright future in ********.

And, I really don't agree with your statement that the Midgets didn't have enough to get to a second groove. At 105mph avg speed and they don't have enough? I've watched champ karts at that track and they had enough to run side by side. The damn slow ass 4cyl U-cars that started the show had enough to run side by side.

I think you didn't see anyone stepping out of line because they were afraid of getting hung out to dry and falling to the back if the pass didn't work. Better to hold your position, take the points and go on to the next show. When drivers like Tracy Hines, in one of the best money can buy midgets out there, finishes were he started and makes no move to the front, something is wrong.

I'm assuming you were there and witnessed all of the fans disguised as empty stands. It was pretty obvious that the track took a beating on this show and I doubt they are in any hurry to host another. Hats off to the Leone family for taking a chance with this, but they got burned.

Southeast tour for USAC? Get real. Open wheel does not sell down here. The fans are not that interested and the tracks don't know how to run an effective show for sprints/midgets. Anywhere from not enough push trucks to piss poor track prep at the dirt tracks.

As far as cost to teams, see the thread started by PGray on this subject. Given the purses, it appears extra nights would only add to the teams financial losses.

Most of these late model tracks pay very close attention to each other. So, all of the other tracks in the Carolinas/Georgia just witnessed a track tank on a USAC Midget show. They will not be in any hurry to jump on the bandwagon.

The message is, Give the People What They Want. Down here, they want late models, dirt or asphalt. Anything else is a novelty that better not cost them more at the gate or they will stay away in droves.

From my experience and perspective, you can draw a new Mason-Dixon line. Anything south of Virginia/Tennessee/Missouri and you are in late model country. Anything North of that line and you can do pretty good with any kind of racing. Therefore, I think your suggestion of a Northeast Tour is feasible and would probably be successful.

But, I really don't care what they do anymore. I'm finished trying to "support the cause" and going to lousy open wheel shows down here. If I want to watch USAC midgets, I'll drive to Indiana where I can almost guarantee I'll see a great race. Otherwise, when in Rome, do as the Romans. Look for me at a dirt late model race if I'm in NC. You can have my rose colored glasses. You'll need them to find any tracks to run at.