That would be April 5, 1964. That was my first USAC race also, won by Johnny Rutherford in the #3 K.E.Y Ignition spoecial! Been hooked ever since.

Ok,,
I guess I'm "almost" a relic. Seen lots of IMCA and a few USAC in the 70's- till now. I think mac miller said it pretty well. As stated by others 'lots of talented drivers today',,,,,but,,, how many of 'em sleep in the back of a station wagon for a few hours, if thats what it takes, then go on down the road to the next track? Lots of peddle pushers for sure, that can punch a sprint car around the track,I'll have to agree. Not many Bobby Allen's left in todays 'talent pool' from i'm seeing. Just my humble opinion. BTW: how many here was ever to the short lived race track in Champaign IL? I wonder why that track was plowed up? Anyone know,,just curious.Went to a darn good USAC show there,,in??,, I believe Bubby Jones won that day in the Bobby Hillin Longhorn racing car. That's has been a few moons ago,not sure on that..

Take Care,
BC

I started attending sprints in the mid 1950's, alot has changed since then but the races and racers of the 50's and 60's will always be my favorite. I still go to a few races each year, but it is not the same.

Allentown /IMCA Reading / USAC Wms. Grove / USAC
mlight9.

Reading for my first USAC back in 65 OR 66. Then when we moved here in 69, Terre Haute. Been going to sprint car races literally as long as I can remember.Yes, it was different back in the old days. A lot of the kids running now wouldn't have then. They wouldn't have had the experiance or the age USAC required back then to run.

Also, a lot of the kids would have gone home with shiners if they ran back then. I guess it just seems the respect is different now.

North Dakota State Fair,1961 Minot North Dakota.USAC & IMCA-be There or Be Square. Tingelstat, Marshman, Bardhol Special, Dean Van Lines Special, The Smell of The Beer Gardens all The Drivers attended following The Races,LOL. Will never forget, a No Dak Driver, wadded His Car flying off the Track in a drainage ditch between the 2 Tracks, lost his right foot, a Year later or so, had a Left foot Drivers Pedal. The Implement Shows were as good as ther Racing, Acres of Shiney Brand New Tractors, Combines, jumping from one to the next.

I moved to Indiana in 1973 and have had the opportunity to follow sprint & midget racing ever since. Being a young buck though, I probably shouldn't be counted in on this golden oldies poll.

The 60's for me, were my first USAC sprint car races. I feel very fortunate in my mind, to have seen some of the greatest American open wheelers. Mario Andretti, Bobby and Al Unser, Gordon and Nolan Johncock, Don Branson, Sam Sessions, Rollie Beale, Greg Weld, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtibise, etc., the list is a long one - and a great one.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Rich - Arnold, Missouri

My first was AAA in 1955. I didn't see many IMCA races as I stuck pretty much with USAC from then until today. My favorite era was 1966 through 1976. Ahhh, those were the days. I'm not knocking today's events, but those were the days.

I was at all the races ran at Champaign. The track operated maybe 3 years? It was one dusty race track on Sunday afternoons. Why the track closed, I don't know.
I saw my first USAC sprint race in 1966 at the THAT. Started going to IMCA races also. IMCA had good shows with drivers like Wooley, Woodside, Weld, and my favorite Bill Utz.