Always difficult to rate dirt tracks. They can change during the racing evening much less from one time to the next. All 5 tracks that run midget week shows work very hard to prep the track and put on the best possible show for the fans. Weather also plays a big part as well. Don't skip a show because of anything I say. Midget week is a great time to enjoy Indiana dirt track racing at it's finest.
You asked for a 1-5 rating for the tracks so here goes. This is just my opinion from attending races at all of the tracks over the course of 40 years of being in Indiana.
1)Kokomo-A track that has undergone a total renovation under the O'Conner family ownership. Provides the best weekly racing in Indiana. Reece O'Connor has a gift for prepping a dirt track and he can bring back a surface at intermission as well as anyone out there. Very organized and they run a quick program that gets you out and on the way home at a decent hour. No coolers permitted but the track concessions are fairly priced and offer enough of a variety.
2)Lawrenceburg-This is a tough call for 2nd & 3rd place but I will give the nod to da Burg. Dave Rudicell has done a great job of promoting this track and they also will re-work the surface if necessary. A wide high banked facility that has given us many nights of exciting racing. The grandstands, concession stands, restrooms, etc....are second to none. Customer friendly and coolers are permitted in the grandstands.
3)Lincoln Park-As I mentioned a difficult call for 2nd & 3rd place. Joe Spiker has brought this track back from the dead. He has made necessary improvements each year and it continues to be a work in progress. The only thing I don't like is if the racing surface goes away, they don't do a re-work. They offer good racing and I enjoy being able to take a lawn chair & cooler in and sit on the hillside.
4)Gas City-The Jack Hemlick owned track offers good racing for both sprints & midgets. They regularly re-work the track and it has been needed at times during the past few years. I don't know why but something about track prep has changed. (Note: I am not a track prep expert like so many on the board so I won't show my ignorance and spew what needs to be done from behind my keyboard.) No coolers permitted but again track concessions priced right with a good variety for most. Biggest issue for me is that the bleachers are the most uncomfortable around. Might consider buying a pit pass and sitting in the pits.
5)Bloomington-The most picturesque setting of any track in Indiana. They offer hillside seating for your lawn chair and you can carry in a cooler as well. The reason I rate them at #5 is that I don't get to attend many shows here due to it being a Friday night track. My schedule just doesn't work for getting there very often. During the past 7 or 8 shows that I have been in attendance, the track hasn't held up very well and they don't do a re-do. In fairness to the new group of promoters, I haven't been to Bloomington yet this year so that might have changed I don't know.
I hope this somehow answers your question. According to all 5 tracks webistes they will be running just 2 support classes during midget week, one of which is traditional sprints. Just a thought, but after attending all 5 tracks, give us your 1-5 rating and see how it compares. Most of all enjoy your racing trip to Indiana.
