Thank you to Kevin & Tammy Gundaker for making the commitment to keep the “Gold Crown” event going. It seems like it is a massive undertaking and more support from the local community is needed. But I think the main thing is for every sanctioning body & racetrack to put aside their differences & egos and work together. All for the good of auto racing and midget racing in particular. The Gold Crown & midget racing really, really needs that. I would love to see this be a point paying race for USAC, POWRi, Badger & RMMRA.
Here is an excerpt from an article in 2013 from www.onedirt.com:

Now for 2013, Brown has made strides in unifying the midget racing in the Midwest. POWRi and USAC recently announced that they will be co-sanction the annual Hut 100, the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway Grand Prix, and a double-header at Belle-Clair. The POWRi, USAC and the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association will do something that is very rarely seen in 2013. All three will tri-sanction events at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
“We’ve been able to strengthen Midget events in the Midwest by taking advantage of co-sanction opportunities with USAC and Badger. We all see this as in the best interest of the sport, to bring the best drivers and teams together even though we run our own championships,” explained promoter Kenny Brown.
I think this is something that desperately needs to be gotten back to.
I also think some sponsorship is needed to enhance car counts. It seems like the biggest worry today is if the purse can be made at the back gate. Fans love to come out for an event. It is very evident that single race nights really struggle. The exception being the World of Outlaws. They always seem to draw a good crowd. They are very good at making a single race night an event It would be great to have an “A” feature and also a “B” feature for all of those who didn’t make the “A” feature. Paying the winner of the “B” feature say $1200 to $1500 to win and pay all the way back thru the field. I think this would make more guys participate and feel like they wouldn’t just be wasting their time coming out. Everyone likes to compete on their own level and this would give them that chance. With that said it all takes money and sponsorship to do this and I think that is desperately needed.
When this was announced I thought it was a great idea:

This year we will be hosting a Wiffle Ball game between the Midget & Sprint car drivers on Saturday along with a bag tournament as well on Friday during the day.

The Budweiser Beer Garden will be set up in the Pit Area Friday & Saturday night after the races along with a Bon Fire for everyone to come down and enjoy and meet the drivers.

Midget & Sprint Drivers/Teams/Race Fans we want this week to be a great experience and everyone to have a great time. We are excited once again to host the DuPont 6th Gold Crown Midget Nationals. We will do everything we can to put on a great show.
Interaction between the fans and the competitors is what grows the fan base which in turn grows the sport. The sport of auto racing needs young fans!
In our area the driest month during the racing season is September with an average rainfall of 3.28”. October is close but is 3.44”. But the big difference is in the average temperatures. September average high is 83 & low is 56. October is 72 & 46. Those temperature differences would probably help with fan attendance.
Thanks again and good luck!