First off I want to give a shout out to both USAC and Ocala Speedway and there staff for a great kick off to the 2011 Sprint car racing season.

I have said (privately and to anyone who would listen lol) that all USAC needed was people in place who could convince us racers that they cared as much as we do. I have heard way to many times over the years that "This is only a job" or "well its a paycheck" Nothing infuriated me more then to here that when for the majority who do this it's their paycheck that they are giving up to do this.

From the time we pulled in the pits there seemed to be an energy and a friendliness and an excitement to be at the the race track. Kevin Miller made an effort to get through the pits and meet and shake hands with those who were there to shake things down. Dave Brzozowski the new competition directer was gracious in his attempt to go through the changes he is instituting. The tech of the cars were really a tech of the cars that as both a car owner and a dad I was happy to see. The Ocala promoters, if they stopped by the trailer once they did a dozen times to make sure we that we had everything we needed and to make sure the racers were happy in the direction of the track.

Race day, for the first time in a long time (this is probably not a fair statement) I watched the USAC contingent I am guessing 8-10 strong bust ass from 9 in the morning (when we arrived they were there before us) till 11:30 at night to put on an "event". Some of the ideas they are coming up with to engage the fans seemed to work pretty well last night and will continue to grow as they learn how to grow their ideas.

There Happy Hour seemed to work out well as we had several fan's with there kids in tow stopped by.

The racing was the normal unreal, hold your breath till the last corner action we have come to love about this series.

The crowd was decent for a Thursday night. as the main grandstands was 2/3rds full and the turn four grandstands were 1/4 full. and there were plenty of people milling around the pits.

2 things struck me last night that made me chuckle a little and the more I think about it the more it makes me think we are indeed heading down the right road.

#1) it was pretty evident that Dave had some nerves holding his first official pit meeting. It was clear that Dave wants to do a great job for us the racers and for USAC and I for one am excited to watch Dave grow in his new role.

#2) Blake Anderson, Hopefully the "voice of USAC" for the future. The love this kid has for the sport is contagious and his pre-race excitement rivaled any of the drivers who lined up for the nights feature.

Not sure what all this means but I figured after all the negativity that seems to follow about any event that is ran now regardless of the sanction, track, series, ect I would make a preemptive strike with a little positivity.

Oh yea as we were leaving last night the promoter stopped us and asked what he could do for the tonight to make it even better ... yep it was a great start to the season.

Tim Clauson

Thanks for the informed post. Glad I managed to watch big block mods, late models and sprints all from my cheap couch. February seems to get better every year for the race fan stuck north.

Also...

Looks like USAC has stepped it up in the Media department as the Internet feed looked great. In addition, it looked like 2 or 3 camera angles and once the audio problems were sorted out it was great to watch a complete feature without losing the feed about 10 times. I can tell USAC has done some homework in the off season to make the greatest racing on the planet great for the fans. Thanks!!!!

It was great from the stands, too. I was pleasantly surprised to walk up to the ticket booth and buy my ticket from Kevin Miller, himself. I had very mixed feelings to find there were already enough people there that we could only get half way up the stands and still be on the aisle. Usually the stands are damned near empty on the first night of the shows. It is, after all, a work/school night.

The show went off like clockwork. We saw a good show, topped by a great feature, and were back in our motel room by 11pm.

The new announcer was good. He's following another good one, but I think he'll be as good as Mr. Klepper.

We're looking forward to two more as good as last night.

Credit, where credit is due. If that "performance" last night, was a hint at what a bunch of rag tag sprint car drivers, can do, without a "drafting" partner, then Nascar better start pulling the tent stakes, cause it's end is coming. Now, I don't care what anyone says, even with the problems with the video, and sound, that was what I call racing, hammer down, balls out, best man and machine wins, but then, isn't Sprint car, open wheel racing pretty much that way, it's just that we had both, back to back, to compare them together. USAC, I'll wait and see how they handle it, they have the players, if the just don't missmanage what is being handed to them. I liked it, and can't wait til we can get on the tracks ourselves. Good show guys! Bob

Got to see the Jackslash Highlight reel on youtube and WOW, What a night. The place looked great on camera and the racing looked even better. I had to leave for work before any Feed came on but look forward to tonight and saturday. As always, Would be there if I could and I made more USAC shows last year than any year prior.

Eldora. Step up. Have the track ready and don't cancel on the threat of rain!

Lets hope USAC brings that same excitement for the racers back to indiana. Is the big screen in the infield going to be a normal thing for USAC racings? I know when i did get the video the quality was great. I had it on my 46" tv and it still looked good a little pixilated but not bad considering. On my laptop it was clear.

I only wish I could be there.

Congrats to all involved. Nice video feed and the Jackslash highlight reel was very well done. That looks like a pretty racy little joint.

This is going to be a very good year for USAC racing!

seadog it's a crazy joint. 1-2 are sweeping then you have a dogleg on the back chute then if that's not enough 3-4 is a hairpin. all the races there have been good during speedweek. oh yea the place is very clean. a lot of new stuff.

Sounds kind of like Shady Bowl only Ocala it is dirt and not paved?