Originally Posted by Pat O'Connor Fan Maybe Greg didn't nod his head like a bobble-head when the "new vision" was revealed by KM. Does anyone here really believe that USAC can find the tracks/promoters to run 15 - 20 "big" events annually with multiple USAC divisions competing for increased purses, almost exclusively on pavement?? JMO, but if POWRi would add a sprint car division, and hire Greg, they could bury USAC in a couple years.

I'm starting a new thread because my post is off-topic from Mr. Staab (who I support 100%).

This has bothered me since I heard Mr. Miller share his vision on DO's radio show and express his disappointment in a crowd of 4,000 fans.

So if his ultimate goal is 15-20 "big" events annually...

What constitutes a "big" event?
Mr. Miller mentioned NHRA a few times, but the average attendance at NHRA's 23 national events exceeds 100,000. I admire lofty goals, realistically?

Which tracks have the capacity for hosting a "big" event?
Indiana Sprint Week would be non-existent for sure, at least as a USAC event.

Would this eliminate USAC from consideration for drivers with aspirations to reach NASCAR, IRL, F1?
(i.e. USAC would no longer be a 'feeder series' for the 'stars of tomorrow')
Young drivers (and their future bosses) would certainly want more experience than 15 races per year.

Mr. Miller has more insight into the motorsports industry than I do. So please help me understand these changes and how they will benefit sprint car racing and its fans.

Thanks!

...not that I expect Mr. Miller to respond, but would appreciate the board's input. TYVM!

[Kevin Miller]

Before the Board goes wild with speculation, let me offer some insight:

A "Big Event" is Indiana Sprint Week. Anytime you get fans traveling to a multi-day event which includes camplng and provides an atmosphere around the racing, consider we have moved beyond a "race" and to an "event". We have some of these in our Portfolio at USAC today. Just not enough. We do need more "events". That does not mean we lose single night races.

As far as fan count at local shows, my disappointment stems from 400-800 fans at a show. That is unacceptable. 4000 fans at a USAC show is a great turn-out.

Just for clarification:

We are not going to all pavement races
We are not altering our format
We are not changing tradition
We are trying to strengthen our fan base

Again...we are very open to discuss and share thoughts on the industry. My direct email is Kevin@usacracing.com, and I generally answer all emails.

[Pat O'Connor Fan]

Thank you. Your quick response to dispel rumors and misconceptions should ease the minds of some long-time USAC fans like myself.

[Charles Nungester]

Kevin, How do you get tracks, teams and fans to buy into Sprintweeks in five areas of the nation? The PA swing will be a true test, Id love to see that happen in the Southwest, Western Midwest. and south including Charlotte along with Indiana Sprint Week. You could put a couple pavement weeks together too, Maybe June/Late Aug.

To the original poster, Your lowest number is more than most tracks can hold and then it becomes a matter of how much folks are willing to pay to see it.

IMHO 40-50 dollars is way to much to any series show but 25-35 is doable depending on.

Also EVENTS aren't IMHO less racing than a local show at most tracks. While I've changed my mind about expanding the format to just adding a few more cars to the heats and maybe a extra heat. IF YOUR THE SHOW, PEOPLE WANT TO SEE IT AND AS MUCH OF IT AS POSSIBLE! Thats why they come, Thats what they want to see. 30 lap features are fine but some suggestions.

Find some base tracks, Charlotte, Knoxville, Manzy, Eldora, Williams Grove, maybe even Terre Haute or LBurg and end a series on a 40-50 lap ten grand to win show.

Marketing and corporate sponsors are going to be the only way to make this happen. Id even make a USAC possition that does nothing but put adds in papers, Racing magazines, Weekly happening magazines in every major city newspaper within a 200 mile radius of every event your running.

So there ya have it, Six Sprint Weeks in different areas of the country, Three midget weeks, SW, Indiana and Probably Wisconsin are doable.

Also holding these events in areas of the country when weather is favorable for em is Key. SW in Nov, SE in Feb, Indiana in July, PA in June, Wisconson/IA Aug.

Just ideas. I still think you have the right director.
Chuck Nungester, who also wants to see USAC Succeed and making no demands, Just thoughts and Ideas

[Blackduce]

I have to respect such a quick reply to this question. Kevin that was a class act. Thanks.

Lynn

[Dwight Clock]

In order for USAC or any National series to thrive there must be genuine interest created on a National level. WoO packs them in because 410 winged sprints are a staple of short track racing nationally. Same for WoO Late Models. Traditional sprint car racing has only pockets of interest nationally and that needs to change. Traditional sprints are currently popular in the midwest (IN, IL, OH, & MI), Southwest (CA, AZ, NM), with marginal interest in the Plains states (KS, NE, OK). Regional series, whether under the USAC banner or not, will serve to provide a driver pool from which the National series can draw. That will create interest among the fans in those areas to follow their guy. When the USAC National series comes to town you will then see WoO size crowds. That, in turn, could prompt other areas to try traditional type open wheel racing and on it goes. But this is a process that takes some time. Simply finding money to pay larger purses is merely a band aid. The long term fix is in creating national interest through regional series or individual tracks that will provide drivers to the big show and fans to watch them.

[dirtyd6305]

I'm glad to see that thousands of message board posts now equal a business degree. So many people on here think that they have some type of special insight that someone, o say Kevin Miller, is lacking. Why don't you ask intelligent questions instead of using this time to act like you actually have a clue about what needs to happen. Chuck, please STOP thinking that USAC members on here will actually listen to someone who probably never seen a race outside of Lawrenceburg.

[BrentTFunk]

My question to Chuck is where do you find cars in some of these areas? Most places except a few areas run 360s only. Also was wondering if your going to PA, as earlier this winter I thought you were considering it. Happy trails.

Mr. Miller, I really didn't anticipate a reply from you so THANK YOU. I apologize, I thought I heard you say 4,000 was a disappointment. That's why I set the minimum on the poll at 10,000. My bad. Thanks again for your response.

Chuck, IMHO, creating 6 "sprint weeks" would lessen the popularity and draw of each one. Why drive from Texas or Pennsylvania for Indiana Sprint Week when they're going get closer to you in a month or so? And SW seems to be such a mental/physical/monetary drain on teams, it's hard to believe they would participate in more than a couple a year. (IMO)

[SUPERDUKE]

There Is A Lot More 360 Ci Racers Then 410 Cars In The Usa! Its Time For Usac To Be Leaders And Not Being A Bunch Of Followers! Chevy Has A 370 Ci 700hp. Fuel Injected All Alum. V8 Engine They Want To Put In A Series! It Cost $9800 Or A Year Lease For $5600 And It Could Work Nationwide! Have A East/ Central/ Midwest And West Division! With A National Championship Race In Each Area! And Take The Top 10 In Each Area To A Season Championship Race!!!!!!!!! With A Spec Car That We Race The Same Car Pavement And Dirt!!!!!!!!! Why Do You Need 410 $50.000 Engines Burning Up $ 400 To $500 A Night In Tires! And One Car For Dirt And One For Pavement? Its Crazy! Its Time To Change Before Its Over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!