Some people want to race against the best in one of the biggest races of the year, it's not about how much $$$$$ but about what you achieve and get out of it. Check the World 100, Knoxville Nationals, etc, lots of teams have no chance but want to be there trying, experiencing, enjoying. Some want to complain online and belittle what others enjoy and want out of racing just because THEY don't agree or THEY don't have the same goals and desires.....

Who cares obout the chili bowl it is just an other race.the concern should be more about the state of racing!!!!!!

I think the economy might have a little to do with it. But you have to remember, just last year you lost Clayton, Hockett, Bacon and Dustin Morgan to the wing world where the money is better. Now Stewert and Kahne are pretty much dumping USAC for the WoO where the money is probably doubled. Now if its true, Boat's bailing. I think USAC needs to get with the times and get the purse closer to what a traveling series should pay. They need to give these drivers and owners a half a chance to make some money on their investments.

I can't wait for 2010...

If the Chili Bowl has a drop in cars, wouldn't this be the first time in it's history that has happened?

If they do then we know that racing is ina very very bad state. No other midget event calls so many drivers to it. If this event shrinks in car count them we have only begun to see the downfall of racing.

I don't claim to know the economics of all that's involved in a sanctioning body, a race team, heck even as a photographer I don't even know what's involved as a fan going to a racetrack.

What I do see is how World Racing Group runs WoO Sprints, WoO Late Models, Super DirtCar Series, UMP Mod's and Late Models. Look at the diversity in their schedules, (frequency and location of races), diversity in their drivers and the diversity in their cars. They run 3 vastly different cars with lots of room for sponsor logos and identifiable paint schemes, all over the US, and in many of the Canadian provinces. They also don't run on pavement.

USAC runs the majority of their races in and around Indiana, with hardly any continuity between cars, drivers and teams from year to year. The casual outsider sees a midget or silver crown car and calls it a sprint car. I would imagine the frequency of a non winged car going over is greater (therefore more expensive to run) then the above mentioned cars.

I guess my only point is the numbers are just not there. Many of you Hoosiers (might I add I am jealous), can see these guys run 3 nights a week all summer long. USAC/nonwing local action is racing 40 times a year in front of the same few thousand fans who have so much variety that the ticket prices are so low therefore resulting in lower purses.I imagine WRG series are racing 70-80 times a year all over the country in front of a higher paying (because they have no other option) much larger fan base resulting in larger purses.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Gentlemen this recession is only beginning. I don't wear rose colored glasses, just reading glasses. I WILL BE LUCKY TO HAVE A JOB IN 6 MONTHS!

You are comparing two very different situations. If you did your research, you would find that the overwelming majority of drivers and car owners entered year after year have become once a year deals. They spend their budget there and the midget(s) gets parked till the next year. Then it's hibernation time, never to be seen at a race near you outdoors. Hardly the same comparing the Rental Bowl with the races you mentioned. Those people who enter those races support the outdoor season unlike the Rental Bowl once a yearlings.

If you want to get an idea of what it costs to go there and why these once a year polar bears don't have a dime when they leave that building, I have already spent nearly a thousand dollars as a future spectator and I haven't even gotten on the plane yet. Yeah... nearly a thousand dollars and that's just for one person... no race car(s), no crew, no pitty passes (upwards of $45 a day, thank you), no electricity fee (yeah, you gotta buy electricity there!), no $150-200 entry fee, no food bill, no fuel bill, no maintenance bill, no parts bill, AND LAST OF ALL: No RENTAL FEE if that applies which in some cases is an astounding $3500-10,000 or maybe more in some cases... etc. etc. etc.

So the next time you IOWheelers complain (and you complain alot on here about it, and that's a fact) about low midget counts at outdoor races... if you defend all these once a year racers getting a giddy thrill by rubbing wheels with some NASCRAP tin boy, you can only blame yourselves for defending these people.

Ah, I guess it is Chili Bowl time. Don, quit trying to be coy and name the race you are talking about. You sh## is getting weak. You are losing valitity. Quit racing and retire now before it is to late! The end is near!

By the looks of your Language Arts skills, you lost it a long time ago. What language is that anyway?

Don, whatever. I use to respect some of your posts, but you are not someone people will be willing to listen to. Spelling correctly or not. You are the smartest person I now know. Peace out Don. And Merry Don Christmas.