I went to every hoosier 100 run from 1960 thru 1980. I can honestly say that of those races, I can only remember one where the outcome was in doubt with less than 15 laps to go and many of them more than that. 1974 was the greatest of the Hoosier 100's run. That's when Jackie Howerton (in Bignotti's STP turbo-offy) held off Al Unser Sr and Mario in the Viceroy cars at the finish line. The attraction of the Hoosier 100 for many of us back in that era was the fact that you could watch the "Indy 500" drivers back'em in on the dirt, not necessarily how close the racing was. That was the excitment for me and my friends, anyway. It stayed interesting for me until Parnelli disbanded the Viceroy team and the last of the Indy drivers left the sport. I, to this day, believe USAC made a huge blunder by separating the dirt cars from the points championship. After 1974 (dirt cars were dropped after the 1972 season?) the mile races really lost their luster for me. I'm not sure what the point of the Silver Crown cars is anymore. They're just big sluggish sprint cars now. The IRL should bring them back but, that's a topic for another thread.
Nobody can deny the crowds are down at all the dirt mile Crown races. Its unfortunate and people are looking for ideas to make the racing better. I believe that the mods are being brought in to help widen the track and try to make better racing for us. Believe me, I wish Indy had been a couple feet wider last year. I have said track prep needs to be better but there is only so much you can do with sand. I also heard that the fairgrounds agreed to grade the top layer off to maybe get the sandy stuff off. Its one of those things that technology has probably made the racing worse with the wide tires and all the horsepower. When people complain about Indy not being recheduled, from what I understand its very difficult to do with the horse schedule as well as some expenses that the fairgrounds charge. Bob Sargeant is one of the hardest working promoters out there. If it werent for him, we would be lucky to be running Springfield, DuQuoin or Indy. Im not on here trying to suck up to anyone, as you should know by know I call it like it is. But we as competitors need everyone of you to support these races, like the format or not. We need to give it a shot. Im a traditionalist and like the 100 miles. But I also dont wanna be saying, "Remember when we used to race on the miles?" Maybe it wont be right and they will try something else. But when I read that fans arent going to go because of a format change, it bothers me. We need your support. We need you in the stands. I mean, you do want to see me FINALLY win on a dirt mile dont you?
Originally Posted by miledirt:
Obviously they are trying to do something, whether you agree with it or not, to increase fan excitement and attendance to the event. That tells me that Track Enterprises is not doing well enough with the Hoosier 100 as it is in terms of attendance and profitability.
If they want to increase the attendance, why don't they try a little thing called marketing.
Originally Posted by chris nunn:
doesnt affect me any, the mile races that ive seen on highlights and on tv put me to sleep. Havent ever been to one, probably never will.
Toyota or not, bring back some front stretch pit stops for fuel or tires.....like during a yellow for a spin on lap 38 or 61, or whenever. I cant remember a SC race going 100 laps without a yellow.....who doesn't cheer when someone stops in with a flat, and everyone gets the guy back out before getting lapped?
I would think double file restarts would be cool, but the idea of 2 50 lap races is about as dumb as the the new IRL twin/triple point champions announced this week.
"The Indy Racing League will recognize oval and road/street champions -- in addition to the series' overall titlist -- with bonuses presented to both category champions. Purses will be announced later. The current championship points system will be utilized, with the highest-scoring oval and road/street drivers earning the titles."
So it's possible for Dixon to win the oval champaionship and say Will Power wins the R/C, but Helio wins the the overall. With Indy down to 12 days, and 2 days of qualifying, one thing that is certain......change is inevitable. Maybe with the Hoosier 100 too.
