Originally Posted by Jerry Shaw:
Due to a wreck on I-270 South and the traffic snarl that it resulted in, I made my way counterclockwise around the St. Louis metro area loop, found Belle Clair Speedway, parked and was in a seat just seconds before they pushed off the first POWRI National Midget heat.
The first thing that hits you right in the face, like it did me, if you've never been to this place before, is just how different it is from any track you've ever been to. It's such an intimate setting. You'll never find a place that puts you closer to the racing action. There are these two wooden covered grandstands, one on the front stretch and one on the back, that were steeply constructed enough that they both put you right on top of the action and prevent the persons sitting in front of you from obstructing your view. No matter how tall they are. The person that designed the seating there had to be an avid race fan, that had an expertise in getting the most bang for the buck, in maximizing the small space he had to work with. And he succeeded, as this layout combined with the track design, provides a very unique race track experience. There's total chaos any time the green is out. The thought that kept reoccurring to me was how this was like watching midgets go at it, tooth and nail, in a high speed fish bowl.
Another thing that impressed me about this place is the core group of rabid fans that you'll find there. I wouldn't call this a party track. It's not really one of those places. These are serious race fans, that know their midget racing and once the green drops, they're entranced. Not a lot of moving around and they tend to try to stay out of one another's view of the track. And when there aren't race cars on the track, they'll just flat out tell you "This is the best midget track in the country." Kind of in an "as a matter of fact" kind of way. The people that frequent this track definitely add to the track's end product. And so does the announcer. They have a healthy PA system and the guy behind the mike not only knows the sport very well, but he also knows how to fire the audience up. And he screws with em' if they didn't yell as loud as he thinks they should.
This was my first time over there and it won't be my last. It's a pretty cool place to go watch a race and I would definitely recommend going over there.
Jerry
Jerry,
Being from that area originally, I grew up with this as my Friday night racing fix. Your description of this place is exactly how I remember it. A great little fairgrounds facility with outstanding midget racing. The fans are very race savy and they aren't afraid to show it either. The PA system was always good and I realize that it is a different announcer but if he studied under his predecessors, they showed him the ropes on HOW to announce on the PA. Unlike so many others of today's era.
As a kid growing up there, they didn't have enough midget shows in my opinion. Power I has around 4-5 a year there now and I still don't think that is enough. I really wanted to go this week since it was fair week and all. However, something called work got in the way and I couldn't make the trip. It has been a while since I have been back to Belle Clair but somehow I have to make this trip happen soon.
I know that ASQ has been a regular visitor for the Power I shows. Glad that you enjoyed the experience and hope you can make it back often to see the midgets. If there is a better midget track in the country, I certainly haven't seen it.
, but the great racing made it worth it. I enjoyed viewing the races from my usual perch on the frontstretch, and was joined by Eric Church for most of the evening and Jerry Shaw for part of it. Both were making their initial visits. Eric doesn't post on here, but his comments pretty much reflected what Jerry has said.