Dwight,

Another excellent post. If we look back over the last couple of years it seems this board was full of people clamoring for change at USAC. Well change has arrived and I think back to a very wise person (my mother) who always told me to be careful what I wished for because it might come true. She also said that when change happens it might not always be the change we are looking for. All I can say is welcome the world for change.

I don't know Greg but I am sorry to hear that he will be leaving USAC. If what everyone is saying about him is true he will find an opportunity in the near future. Good guys are hard to come by.

Dwight sorry I didn't get to talk to you more at Brownstown. We were trying to find a good seat and when I looked over at the end of time trials you were gone. I will try to catch up here in the near future.

Mike

The sad thing is, Greg Stabb was the change that USAC needed! Someone who actually cared about the drivers, the owners, the promoters, the fans and most important...USAC itself.

I understand people lose their jobs everyday in this country it's a unstoppable fact, however, what is the exact reason for Gregs release?

1. Is it because he wasn't doing his job? We all know thats not it, no one in that office worked harder.

2. Was it a money thing? Maybe, we all know USAC is broke, but was Greg given the opportunity to maybe take a paycut? NO, and I would say Greg would have done so, but do you think Kevin, Jason or Jason would have taken any kind of concession...NO WAY, it's their paycheck, not their livelyhood like Greg.

3. Or is it because Greg just didn't fit in with the new regime? Most likely, and I say this because he is old school and what I mean is he would look out for the best interest of USAC, unlike others who's only interest is themselves.

I'm not saying Kevin, Jason and Jason are not trying to save USAC, of course they are! They have to, no one likes looking for a new job. However, thats where the problems lie, it's a job to these gentlemen. If USAC closed it's doors tomorrow these three would have new jobs the next day and probably, and I say probably, wouldn't give USAC a second thought.

I wish the "NEW REGIME" at USAC the best of luck and just remember that USAC, It's fans, drivers, car owners and promoters come FIRST, they are the only reason USAC and your jobs are still around.

To the "HIGHER POWERS" and we all know who that is, now is the time to keep a very close eye on USAC. None of us want to see it get to the point of no return.

I've known Greg Staab for a long time. We used to sit directly behind his Mom and Dad (known simply as Stan & Mrs. Staab to us) in the old Lawrenceburg Speedway grandstand. Greg had just started racing as a Sayler Park teenager (stocks/classics/jalopies or whatever we called them then). Then a move into the yellow #44 midget (SESCO power as I recall) that bit him big time once at Salem. Several time sprint car champ at The 'Burg. On to the USAC sprints and a win at IRP. Never have seen a driver happier. Car owner and wrench for Joey Kerr, Wil "The Thrill" Newlin and others. Promoter/operator of Lawrenceburg Speedway he brought back sprint car racing after several years of Kinser (Randy & Kelly) led parades of 12 to 15 winged car fields. This was back when the city wanted the track to be all give and no take. Greg was lucky to get them to spring for a replacement light bulb for the restroom in those days. Now, post casino bucks infusion, we got all new everything which has led to hero status bestowment upon the new promo/ops. Yeh, I'm rambling here, my point being that Greg has seen first hand all sides of open wheel short track racing, an asset that he has used to great advantage IMHO in his dream job with USAC. If, as it now seems certain, Greg will be out and not by his choice, then I join others here in voicing my disapproval. USAC has given me the best racing on the planet for over 45 years so I shall try to be open minded and hope for the best. But, this is at least the second personnel move in the recent past which has negatively affected a good friend.....moves within the racing genre' that I care about for which I can surmise no logical reason. While I understand that I have no say in such matters, nor should I, I am nevertheless once again greatly disappointed. We shall see what we shall see 'Burg and USAC. Hope ya know what you're doin'. :checkered:

I'll go with number three .

Some quotes and my replys.

Originally Posted by tracksideindy
The sad thing is, Greg Stabb was the change that USAC needed! Someone who actually cared about the drivers, the owners, the promoters, the fans and most important...USAC itself.

EXACTLY and I'll go a few better. He did everything in his power to work with tracks. Reschedual, Get them a race. I personally believe hes soley responsible for getting a doable PA-Maryaland swing to sellout crowds and other tracks begging for races.
Hes taken a schedual of 15-20 races (Mostly pavement and increased by 1/3 to 1/2 in Midgets and Sprints.

Single handedly with the cooperation of tracks saves last years sprint week.

Posted by tracksideindy
2. Was it a money thing? Maybe, we all know USAC is broke, but was Greg given the opportunity to maybe take a paycut? NO, and I would say Greg would have done so, but do you think Kevin, Jason or Jason would have taken any kind of concession...NO WAY, it's their paycheck, not their livelyhood like Greg.

Who knows? But I don't think the guy getting dates and cars in the fields is the one who needs cut???????????? More members, More fans, More cars, More $$$$$ for USAC.

Im not knocking Kevin or Jason, Hopefully they do a good job. However, How is bringing in the old regime MOVING FORWARD?????

Posted by tracksideindy
I wish the "NEW REGIME" at USAC the best of luck and just remember that USAC, It's fans, drivers, car owners and promoters come FIRST, they are the only reason USAC and your jobs are still around.

Exactly! :applaud:

Fishburger posted below
Greg has seen first hand all sides of open wheel short track racing, an asset that he has used to great advantage IMHO in his dream job with USAC. If, as it now seems certain, Greg will be out and not by his choice, then I join others here in voicing my disapproval

Exactly Fishburger!

He basically designed the earlier redo of the Burg but didn't get to see it come to fruition under his tenure.
Changed LBurg from a 7-12 car a week track to a 30-40 average. Took the fan count from 600 or so to about 2000.

Other USAC accompishements that may go un-apreciated.
Supported USAC in the late 80s-90s when only a handful of teams would do so. When they had to put on a wing to get any fan interest.

A IRP WIN! Which I was very fortunate to witness in only one of my two pavement ventures.

Gave USAC 2-3-4 dates as a promotor in days which dirt races were rare.

Worked with tracks to get dates and make it doable for both teams and fans. He don't just care about the teams he cares about all aspects.

With all due respect to Kevin Miller (Maybe he's doing what has to be done, I don't know.

But IMHO, STAAB should be president of USAC.

Im eliminating about 9 USAC events from my schedual cept for my home track which to support it is the only reason I'll go. I'll go to waynsfield or something for the events I planned to travel too, Kokomo, Liberty, Gas City, Kokomo, Bloom. Both sprint and midget weeks and another event or two I could have made.


Sorry, to hurt other tracks by not visiting but someone needs to take a stand. Book a MSCS race, I'll be there!

Chuck, none to happy about this. But If USAC don't care about us (Racers, Fans and tracks), Why should we care about them? Staab did! and gave up a ton to do it!

My questions in this matter:
What wonderful things did Jason Smith accomplish for USAC in his first tenure with them that made him worthy of a second time around?
What wonderful things did the two Jasons accomplish with PRA?
Second chances are nice, but at the expense of losing Greg Staab?
It may be a bit tough to continue to be a :usacfan but I must hope for the best........

Greg is a good Dog, this will be a great loss to USAC but be for sure he will be a great employee for his next employer,and his daily drive to work will be only slightly longer.His leaving USAC is not a good sign for the grassroots racer.What I fear is that the new folks at USAC only care about the big time race teams with NASCAR ties to bring in mega dollars.I really hope I am wrong but its what i see. How many teams can compete with NASCAR money? I cant think of any.

Are you kidding me. This can't be happening. I have driven against Greg , for Greg (winning for him) and with him as an official. This doesn't make any sense. Just when it seems someone knows what the hell they are doing he is sent down the road. We are at a crossroads of where this sport is headed and I am growing very concerned with what I am seeing. I just spent my 20th yeart at winchester. I have outlasted alot of officials and the next superstar on the horizon. Greg has a unique ability to understand all perspectives as a driver, owner, track promoter and race official. That is a special trait because most people want to hook their wagon to the next Jeff Gordon and screw the guy that is here for the long haul. If Greg is gone it is truly a sad day. You all wanted change and so did I. But I can't figure out why we get rid of a grassroots guy? Where is Tommy Hunt when you need him.
Eric Gordon




















































9

Greg is lucky he is getting out while he can as far as I can tell. I wish him good luck. My fear is Tommy is next, I hope I'm wrong. He should have been the next person running things in my oppinion instead of being passed over and never interviewed for the postion.
E.G. I don't know if they ever asked you last year or not about what we talked about. If they had and you had excepted things would have been in a lot better shape then they are now.
Ron

RDS2 is it true what I heard about you,If it is thats sad to