In was in the 1970's not the 60"s.

The late Jim Shampine's RE Supermodified was outlawed from the Oswego Speedway before the 1980 season. I think that CRA did the same to the RE sprint cars in the late 70's. Wally Pankratz drove one rear engine sprinter that I can remember. USAC wasn't the only one to get rid of rear engine cars on the short tracks, let's keep the record straight.

http://web.a-znet.com/~dave1w/shampine.htm

http://www.retrorockets.org/feature_...jshampine5.htm

Mr. Wilson is correct. The people I know in the IRL say the same thing to me. The MOST important thing is money though. Can anyone say Milka Duno. Talent is one thing but cash is king.

Remember how excited we were when Kinser, Tyler, Hewitt , got in the IRL. Great regional series, but outside the midwest, who cared. Now with CART, I mean the IRL, foreign drivers bring cash, and international interest, and more money. Get used to it folks it ain't gonna change. The good times are really over for good.

I believe the downward spiral began when the Dirt races were dropped from the "Championship Trail". Once the owners (CART) were in charge, the die was cast. That happened LONG BEFORE the IRL/CART split.