Gateway Dirt Nationals- huge miss for open wheel

767 · 12/9/24, 11:11 AM

So the question is, Did eliminating the open wheel portion of the show help it grow?

For those of you that do not know, they opened up 35,000 seats at the dome in St.L. Every single one of those seats were sold. The wait list for a suite is so long, that they no longer add names to the list. I know this event had a rough start. I know indoors racing is not cheap. I really think the decision that was made not to support the event is coming back to haunt the open wheel world. I have been there the last 2 years. The amount of growth I have seen, is just crazy. Open wheel needs to be involved in some manner. No where else is there 35,000 fans watching short track racing.

racefan20 · 12/9/24, 1:50 PM

I've always thought they should have a midget race the week before or after they run supercross at Lucas Oil stadium. They could both use the same dirt. The problem would be I think is that one promoter owns the rights for all non football events in the dome.

Charles Nungester · 12/9/24, 2:03 PM

To be honest, This year is the first year I think they got the track right.
Yeah, I think a midget event would be good for it. The last time the track wasn't right. They added like a foot in banking, and had the entry's wider to the turns. Raced well for the LM's with several laps run side by side.

767 · 12/9/24, 2:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester

To be honest, This year is the first year I think they got the track right.
Yeah, I think a midget event would be good for it. The last time the track wasn't right. They added like a foot in banking, and had the entry's wider to the turns. Raced well for the LM's with several laps run side by side.

Honestly last year was pretty good as well. They added an additional 10inches. I don't think they can do anymore without another set of k rails. 1 thing I will say, the fans were coming long before they made these changes. They were announcing on Thursday if you wanted tickets for Saturday you better order now.

767 · 12/9/24, 2:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racefan20

I've always thought they should have a midget race the week before or after they run supercross at Lucas Oil stadium. They could both use the same dirt. The problem would be I think is that one promoter owns the rights for all non football events in the dome.

Unfortunately, the dome is already booked. The only way they were able to secure the extra build time is due to the Thanksgiving week. This year had to be an eye opener to the dome on the real potential.

Eric Smith · 12/9/24, 3:34 PM

I don't think they want midgets anymore. They are selling all the tickets they want without them. A midget race will be 1000 times better than what they are doing, and they don't want the late models to be shown up. I've always said that's why they went away in the first place.

Joekocjan · 12/9/24, 4:32 PM

Joe from RMS. We enjoyed both of the shows we ran there. We chose to skip the last one just because of the logistics and cost of racing Nov-Jan. We would've had to go straight to St Louis from Ventura that year and after being on the road already for close to a month for the western swing and it was just too much honestly. We tore up some stuff out west and had the Chili Bowl to get ready for. Decided it would be better to just head home.

They have done an awesome job there for sure. What a success.

staggerman · 12/9/24, 5:48 PM

Midgets got the Chili Bowl and Lates/Mods got St. Louis, I think works out for everyone. I just don't think a midget show in early December would draw the cars or crowd level to support an event. They have a successful event for Lates/Mods let them have it.

Chief Wahoo · 12/9/24, 9:59 PM

Does anyone know if Chris Windom’s truck was ever recovered after being stolen from there? Don’t remember if it was the 1st or 2nd year this event was started.

nathans1012 · 12/9/24, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Smith

I don't think they want midgets anymore. They are selling all the tickets they want without them. A midget race will be 1000 times better than what they are doing, and they don't want the late models to be shown up. I've always said that's why they went away in the first place.

As far as Midgets being there. This was never meant as midgets first show and I'm sure you know that. This event was built as a Late Model & Modified show. Cody gave Midgets a shot and they didn't really show up the 2nd year. So, he dropped them. As far as the Midgets showing up the late models now that's funny

. For as wide as late models and modifieds are and how narrow the track is at the Gateway Dirt Nationals the drivers that have shown up year after year, they have proven the can pull side jobs on a tight track and make the show pretty darn entertaining themselves. P.S. I doubt their worried about midgets showing up the late model and modified drivers any time soon. They draw a HUGE crowd there at the Dome in St. Louis and had to open up a whole other area in the upper deck for fans and ended up being a sellout of more than 35,000 fans.

2025 Gateway Dirt Nationals.
It has been announced by Cody Sommer at today's drivers meeting that the 2025 version of the Gateway Dirt Nationals will pay $50,000 to the winner for the Super Late Models, and $3,000 to start the event! Prelims will now pay $10,000 to win each night, and $1,000 to start! The total event purse grows to $340,800 from $229,440, a 52 percent increase.

Modifieds will remain on the schedule as invitation-only and continue to pay $10,000-to-win for its finale but will see an overall purse increase of $18,800 with additional tow money.

2025 Gateway Dirt Nationals complete announcment news and information > https://www.floracing.com/articles/1...WH7GG7ijbyhq7Q