[BrentTFunk]

Originally Posted by openwheelfan1 Last year, we attended the Knoxville Nationals (10 yr in a row) and two weeks later attended the Smackdown (1st time) at Kokomo. Both were good events, but there is no comparison in the events. I understand that Knoxville is only about 8,000 population, with 25,000 people attending the Nationals, and Kokomo is about 60,000 with maybe 6,000 (or so, my guess) attending the Smackdown, but the town of Knoxville is INVESTED in the Nationals. There are events going on all week through the town, and the people there seem to genuinely appreciate the fans in attendance. Nearby towns (Pella and Newton that I know of) also promote and get involved in the festivities. The excitement and anticipation builds throughout the week, and by Saturday night the tension is so high you could almost cut it with a knife. By contrast, the motel we stayed at in Kokomo didn’t even know there was a race going on, let alone it was a 3 day event! There was little to no acknowledgement anywhere in Kokomo that we saw of an event being held. No “Welcome Race Fans”, promotions, or the like. While Kokomo Speedway did a decent job of trying to build excitement for Saturday night, it just isn’t the same. Don’t get me wrong…we enjoyed both, but trying to compare the two is comparing apples and oranges.

The city of Kokomo is more aware of the track than it used to be. For years there was no involvement. When the Smackdown first started, I went out to local businesses, and let them know about what was going on. We sat up driver appearances in several restaurants. Although the population isn't 60,000, there is more for people do in Kokomo than a place like Knoxville. Our local daily paper downsized in 2020 to 5 days a week. With it we lost a weekly racing column, that didn't help. Josh Spencer has been active trying to boost community involvement, and does a good job. Let me know if you are coming, and I would be more than happy to try to steer you in the right direction.