USAC sprint cars @ Hartford...those will be some slow lap times, I'll say quick time 18.6

Haven't been to either track in years. I'm looking forward to making the trip up for both shows.

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Thanks everyone for the comments. I was hoping for some people to tell me how awesome of track it is and so on, which would push me to make the trip. I think I'll just stay local for the weekend. I had a great time at Eldora this weekend, which prompted me to want to hit some out of state USAC shows. That was my first time to see non-wing there, and I was pretty happy with the show. The facility is nice and I got to see Chase come from the back to 4th in the feature after fighting issues most of the night.

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I can add a little insight on I-96. Might have even been me on the other website. Anyways...they are already working on the half mile at I-96. They have been dragging it, packing it, sheepsfooting it, and watering it already. When I got there Saturday night, I was amazed. The half mile was wet. Wet like they have been watering it right along, and was wet deep, not wet like they just dumped some water on it or or it just rained on it a bit. It was smooth as smooth can be also. They have no races this coming weekend, to able to spend more time on track prep. They have to doze the 3/8 front stretch out of the way for the half mile front stretch. If there are any questions, that's where they will be. How good (and wide) will the front be. The rest of the track will be awesome. There was a little talk also about taking the top off the 3/8 to make sure everyone can see the 1/2 that much better. That would surprise me if they go that far, but it will be awesome either way. If you come, stop by the ambulance and say hi. I'll be the big fat ugly paramedic with the sprint car home in the garage. LOL At least I know there will be adequate/knowledgeable medical coverage for the racers both nights.

Chad, both tracks are nice clean places. I 96 does a lot for the kids. If you want to check out a couple of different tracks come on up!

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Sounds like they are really going out of their way to make the 1/2 mile great. I wonder why they changed it from the 3/8ths though? I thought they were going to run that so more locals would show up. Sprint cars were meant for half miles anyway so kudos to the promoter. I hope the fans turn out to support it. There's only a few chances to see them on the 1/2 miles so Indiana fans should take advantage of this special event and go!

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Chad, I would encourage you to go up. I mentioned I'd be going. The big reason is I used to race both these places in a winged sprint back in the 90's. They're both good tracks and hartford is definitely unique! The straights are loonnnngggg. I thinkthey call it a 9/16th mile. Its about one of the biggest tracks you'll see without going to a mile. but the turns are tight enough you still have to throw it in. I think the wingless cars should be fun to watch there.

As far as I-96 running a 3/8th instead of 1/2 normally, and I will state this is speculation...... motor. I know back in the day the 1/2 has a reputation of being hard on motor. Someone said some of the MTS guys might not run if it was on the 1/2. The first thing I thought of was the extra strain on the motor for the 1/2.

Thank you guys!!! Wow, watching those guys down the straights would be awesome!!! I'm not a "big track" guy, but this sounds interesting!!! I went to Eldora because I've never seen non wing run there, plus it was a 50 lap 10 grand to win show. I got my moneys worth for sure!!! Might have to give you guys a hollar if I make the trip! Thank you again!!!

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I really hope that everyone thinking about making the trip will give the MI tracks a chance (fans and drivers)! If you don't, the chances of us seeing them up here again will be slim. Will the tracks be "perfect" -maybe not. Is it "far away" - yes, to some (I-96 about 5 hrs from Indy and Hartford about 3 1/2).

I spend a lot of time and money coming to Indiana to see wingless racing during the year (already have 4 trips under my belt including IMW and ISW, Lburg in May and Kokomo in May) so I speak from experience regarding travel and time.

So come on up and give us a shot - I'll be doing my best to tour the pits and personally thank each team who comes up - wish I could do more (ala Chad Smith) although I am in “negotiations” with a couple of teams to offer free “pit stooge” help and a place to crash Friday night.

I speak from first hand experience as HMS and 96 were our home tracks for three years.Yeah, big tracks are hard on motor. But they're equally hard on the cars in many other respects. If you wreck it's rarely just cosmetic, you can junk a car in a hurry. Also, the added loads that are associated with the higher speeds increase the stress put on all components and the chassis itself.

One of the best things the Mouch family has done is build the 3/8ths @ 96. It's lent itself to some great racing as they've massaged it to the current configuration... The mods and sprints would have been just fine on the 3/8ths as it's a incredibly wide racing surface, but such is life and I certainly won't let it stop me from supporting the best traveling series' the Mitten has seen in a long time...