First let me start by stating this...Typing a message so it comes across right... Is hard to do. It is always easier to have a discussion in person. At least for me it is.

As I have been stuck in one room of my house for the last 5 days, because of my cancer treatment... I have done alot reflecting on the past and good lord willing thoughts about what is best for the future.

Going back to the year 2000, which is when I created my first website, I would've never imagined that a silly site named teamusacsprints.com would make the transition to a site named usacfans.com and then later to IndianaOpenWheel.com, which now gets an average of 7 million hits per month. That just simply astonishes me every time I type or read it. The site traffic to this site has exploded over the course of the last couple years... And I believe that is because of the great people that visit this site every day.

I often wonder, has this site helped or hurt indiana sprint car and midget racing? or has it had no impact on it at all?

-How many people have forged friendships that otherwise would have never existed?
-Has the site made you laugh? regardless of the good or bad reason part.
-Do people assume that since this is "just a message board" that everyone uses it for bad intentions?
-Has it provided "useful" information?
-Has it helped promoters, PROMOTE?
-Has it given to much of a voice to people that really aren't aware of in's & out's of what goes on a day to day basis in the world of racing?
-Why do people just like to complain annomously? Is it just human nature to try an stir up a bunch of crap.

Don't get me wrong... I don't think that this site is the "only" reason for any of the answers that could apply. I'm not the stupid guy that thinks "MY" site is the reason for this or that. I don't and never have felt that way about the website...

OK, I rambled enough... back the original reason that I wanted to post this message...

While my interaction with people on this message board has been extremely limited. I wanted to give my thanks to all the people that come to this message board almost daily to provide information, their own opinions, and stories... without these great people this board would not be the same.

I especially want to thank the people that are directly involved in the sport for coming on here and posting. Whether that involvement be as a driver, mechanic, promoter, owner, and so-on... Your involvement in this site is probably the most important part of the site.You know who you are, I don't need to post your names.

And to the people that come to site frequently that never post but just read... Thank you for being a part of IOW and I hope at some point you decide to start posting.

Please... Please... don't turn this post into a thank you Bill thread... That is not the reason I posted this message, I just wanted everyone out there to know I appreciated their participation with IOW. If you want to respond... please use this thread to discuss some of the topics I brought up earlier in this post.

Thanks again everyone... you have made my time in this room much easier.

"How many people have forged friendships that otherwise would have never existed?" This, to me, is one of the best "perks" of this board. I have met many people that I may or may not have otherwise met. And, even though we live in different parts of Indiana and, in some cases different states or countries, we can communicate every day through the IOW board. We swap racing stories, laugh, fight, and sometimes pray with or for each other. It is, without a doubt, the best website on the internet. And right now we are praying for Drake, Andrew, and for you, Bill. Be well and thank you.:applaud::thumb:

Hi Bill,
I'm one of the countless IOWers who have formed friendships via your site(s). I am also among those fortunate to have met you in person. The amazing thing about that is that we had not actually met previously, during the many visits which my son, daughter, wife and I had made to Brain Hayden's pit at various tracks. Our at-the-track chats have been far too few and too short, but we will remedy that in the future.
I have gained invaluable information about events, tracks, etc. via this board. Thanks to Jerry for convincing me to remove Haubstadt's Tri-State Speedway from my list of tracks I had not yet seen, and to Keith for giving me the directions for the best route to the Burg from Gas City, and to Ty and to Danelle for saving room for me at Kokomo on both the front and back straightaway stands, and to those who offered a prayer for Grandma Kim when she had multiple spinal surgeries. Thanks to Danny and Marv for pointing out the 50/50 girl at the Burg (I'm sure I would not have noticed her if they hadn't helped me).
As long as I don't get so senile that I cannot remember how to log onto the ol' computer, I will continue to make my daily visits to IOW.

Bill,

I just wanted to quickly say this site is my first stop of the day even before email. I fine the BB informative, at times funny and an invaluable part of my day. I have got to meet some great people thru here and look forward to meeting more.

Tons of useful information for a guy like me, being down in southern indiana, and having a job that doenst allow every weekend to be open...ive been able to keep up with so much weekly racing in indiana because of this site

and i have meet some good people through it

Bill, I live in Syracuse NY and this is my 'direct connrection" to keeping up with all the non wing midwest action. You never know when someone will share a picture site or race info/results and some behind the scene happenings. It has become a regular daily stop for me here on the information hi-way!!:applaud::applaud:

-How many people have forged friendships that otherwise would have never existed?

Bill, I was able to meet about 20 people from IOW this season. Got to meet with some car owners and a few drivers. Got invited to a event before the season started (Thank you)

-Has the site made you laugh? regardless of the good or bad reason part.

Countless times and Im sure enough people have had a laugh at me or on me

-Do people assume that since this is "just a message board" that everyone uses it for bad intentions?

Only the cheap shot artist that can do no wrong themselves.

-Has it provided "useful" information?
Tons!

-Has it helped promoters, PROMOTE?
Those who've choosen to participate, Id say it has. As well of fans of a particular track or two.

-Has it given to much of a voice to people that really aren't aware of in's & out's of what goes on a day to day basis in the world of racing?

I love to be proved wrong, Straightened out and told the REAL REASONS, COST OF ect.

-Why do people just like to complain annomously? Is it just human nature to try an stir up a bunch of crap.

Some of the best threads honestly come from some of these post. Like the Burg MSCS results thread, A few cheap shots but look how many fans ENJOYED THEMSELVES!

I think having a manditory real signature might stop some of that but it also might keep others with info that wish to remain unknown from posting.


I have one question, Why do 17 people sign in and sometimes there are over 200 people viewing?

Reguardless, THANKS Bill! I hope you get well and I can meet you someday.
Chuck, best wishes and reguards.
:applaud:

I second all the above replys they have said it all very well..:thumb:

BEING IN FLORIDA THE SITE KEEPS ME UP TO DATE WITH WHATS GOING ON IN INDIANA ,SO WHEN I GET BACK THERE I'M ALREADY UP TO SPEED WIYH WHAT'S GOING ON.

LAUGH> EVERYDAY

LEARN> GOOD AND BAD THING'S

PEOPLE>THE BEST PART, IT TAKE'S ALL KIND'S TO MAKE THE WORLD GO AROUND

:angry-smiley-007: WHAT A COUNTRY

Iow is like duct tape and WD-40. How did we ever get along without it??
Yes, I've met a number of people directly through IOW-Danny,Marv, Greg, Hoover and Dwight come to mind- and the remarkable thing is that it turns out that we all had been attending many of the same events for years[decades in Marvs' case] yet had never met. And probably won't have without this board.
I can't quantify this but I know that I attend more races because of IOW. It keeps me interested. When I can't make a show, the first thing I do when I get home at night is check here for results, yes , "commentary".
Thanks, Bill and I hope we can meet soon.
:hoffman:
PS See some of you at the Chili Bowl, my 14th year.