Letter from Kevin Miller

sprntr · 7/1/14, 5:30 PM

Thursday Thunder Returns To Indy

As we approach the annual tradition of the Silver Crown and Midget doubleheader at ORP on Thursday, July 24, there are many questions as to the status of Pavement Midget racing.

At the end of 2012, just days before releasing the National Midget schedule for 2013, we looked at the pending schedule of race events on the calendar for the 2013 season. The list of events included nearly every major midget event in the country. Belleville, Gold Crown, 4 Crown, Turkey Night and new additions Kokomo Grand Prix and the Western World now featuring midgets. All of these grand events were on the dirt. The pavement schedule, however, was disappointing. Every dirt event was a "sold" event to an engaged promoter. Every pavement event, with the one exception of the traditional Night Before the 500, was a track rental, USAC promoted event. The decision was made, and applauded by the majority of teams, to split the schedules to grow the dirt momentum.

And that it did. We are very pleased that the car count for the National Midget Series has grown over 40% in just two years. The average count in 2012 was 29 cars. In 2013, first year all-dirt, the count grew to 36. YTD in 2014 is 41.

In 2011, both Turkey Night and Night Before the 500 were on pavement. Both had car counts entered that year around 35 cars. In 2012, Turkey Night went to dirt and had 59 cars entering the event. In 2014, with one of the largest paying purses for midget racing in the country, and additional owner incentives in place, just 11 cars entered the Night Before the 500 at ORP. The only promoted pavement midget race for the year. WE disappointed not only the promoter, but the very good fan turnout that came to see tradition in Indy on Memorial Day weekend.

The entry for the July 24 event is below, and includes the Midget race entry form. I am asking that we have a July 10th deadline for Midget entries as we look to secure adequate entries for a show fans appreciate. Eleven cars is not what our fans expect for entertainment.

Pavement racing has always been a valued part of USAC Racing and has been the catalyst in launching several successful careers at higher levels. We are committed to continuing, and rebuilding, pavement midget racing. Participation will determine it's future.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns directly.

Kevin Miller

317.446.7717 (c)

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XI7D4...E21wwBdG-qrg==

Charles Nungester · 7/1/14, 10:28 PM

Probably overstepping my boundrys but. Thats it? Show up or its over? No purse increases, start money? etc?

Just like Powri took almost all Indiana dirt midget racing. Looks like Stars will take the pavement.

Kellen Conover · 7/1/14, 10:56 PM

There is the possibility that the track won't want to open the gates for another race with 11 cars, therefore requiring the 7/10 entry deadline from USAC. I believe they added purse and start money as well as a tire deal for the night before and still were only able to secure 11 cars.

ThrowbackRacingTeam · 7/1/14, 11:20 PM

If there are so many dirt cars , why not just just run those on pavement and outlaw the special built pavement cars. And by the way, do your figures count the pavement races from the first year you went by? I'd like to see the average car counts of the last few midget weeks and gold crown and see which direction it's actually headed.

Bill Gardner · 7/1/14, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrowbackRacingTeam

I'd like to see the average car counts of the last few midget weeks and gold crown and see which direction it's actually headed.

Here's the race results for every Indiana Midget Week.

https://www.indianaopenwheel.com/indianamidgetweek.php

Heres 2013... https://www.indianaopenwheel.com/sho...d.php?&t=69652

ThrowbackRacingTeam · 7/2/14, 12:58 AM

Thanks Mr. Gardner. Midget week does look consistent and that's good. But, there are so many others that are hurting and Mr. Miller seems to be oblivious. Belleville and anything on half miles, all pavement races, everything at Sun Prairie, sprint cars at Terre Haute and all other half miles, sprints everywhere besides the Indiana quarters and Silver Crown at every race. That's a lot for me to accept that everything is fine. If only having 23 sprinters at the Hulman Classic doesn't raise a red flag, I don't know what will. They don't run midgets there anymore because of the engines. The day they have to stop running the sprints there would be very devastating for people like me that love the half miles so much. I sure hope things turn around somehow.

BrentTFunk · 7/2/14, 6:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrowbackRacingTeam

Thanks Mr. Gardner. Midget week does look consistent and that's good. But, there are so many others that are hurting and Mr. Miller seems to be oblivious. Belleville and anything on half miles, all pavement races, everything at Sun Prairie, sprint cars at Terre Haute and all other half miles, sprints everywhere besides the Indiana quarters and Silver Crown at every race. That's a lot for me to accept that everything is fine. If only having 23 sprinters at the Hulman Classic doesn't raise a red flag, I don't know what will. They don't run midgets there anymore because of the engines. The day they have to stop running the sprints there would be very devastating for people like me that love the half miles so much. I sure hope things turn around somehow.

Who didn't race at the Hulman Classic who had a chance to win?

ossuks · 7/2/14, 6:12 AM

You got to applaud the effort Mr. $500,000 is making here! Maybe when his salary gets to $1,000,000 he will actually get out of his office! Seriously, is this his next big move?

Bill Gardner · 7/2/14, 8:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossuks

You got to applaud the effort Mr. $500,000 is making here! Maybe when his salary gets to $1,000,000 he will actually get out of his office! Seriously, is this his next big move?

Bill, you've clearly demonstrated your own personal bias against KM. At some point, you start sounding like one of the political strategists on TV screaming partisan bias and not a damn thing gets fixed.

A few weeks ago I thought you opened some eyes about the salary but that's not the only problem facing PAVEMENT ANYTHING. Fill in the blank. Midgets, sprints, silver crown, tracks etc. Not everything is controlled by KM and everything isn't his fault.

In his letter he said, "Participation will determine it's future." You know he's right. That participation must come from EVERYONE who is truly interested in making it better.

I know it's hard for you to separate your dislike for KM from the rest of the people in the sport but PLEASE, stop screaming partisan bias and try to focus on helping the type of people who were part of the reason you got involved with USAC to begin with. Please.

Vukie · 7/2/14, 9:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester

Probably overstepping my boundrys but. Thats it? Show up or its over? No purse increases, start money? etc?

Just like Powri took almost all Indiana dirt midget racing. Looks like Stars will take the pavement.

STARS has had less than 20 cars so far in the 2014 season. They are long way from "taking over pavement"

The WMRA group [pavement] had 7 cars for their last race. That was USAC's fault.

http://wmraracing.wix.com/wmra

7/1/14, 5:30 PM	#1 Letter from Kevin Miller
sprntr Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,044	Thursday Thunder Returns To Indy As we approach the annual tradition of the Silver Crown and Midget doubleheader at ORP on Thursday, July 24, there are many questions as to the status of Pavement Midget racing. At the end of 2012, just days before releasing the National Midget schedule for 2013, we looked at the pending schedule of race events on the calendar for the 2013 season. The list of events included nearly every major midget event in the country. Belleville, Gold Crown, 4 Crown, Turkey Night and new additions Kokomo Grand Prix and the Western World now featuring midgets. All of these grand events were on the dirt. The pavement schedule, however, was disappointing. Every dirt event was a "sold" event to an engaged promoter. Every pavement event, with the one exception of the traditional Night Before the 500, was a track rental, USAC promoted event. The decision was made, and applauded by the majority of teams, to split the schedules to grow the dirt momentum. And that it did. We are very pleased that the car count for the National Midget Series has grown over 40% in just two years. The average count in 2012 was 29 cars. In 2013, first year all-dirt, the count grew to 36. YTD in 2014 is 41. In 2011, both Turkey Night and Night Before the 500 were on pavement. Both had car counts entered that year around 35 cars. In 2012, Turkey Night went to dirt and had 59 cars entering the event. In 2014, with one of the largest paying purses for midget racing in the country, and additional owner incentives in place, just 11 cars entered the Night Before the 500 at ORP. The only promoted pavement midget race for the year. WE disappointed not only the promoter, but the very good fan turnout that came to see tradition in Indy on Memorial Day weekend. The entry for the July 24 event is below, and includes the Midget race entry form. I am asking that we have a *July 10th deadline* for Midget entries as we look to secure adequate entries for a show fans appreciate. Eleven cars is not what our fans expect for entertainment. Pavement racing has always been a valued part of USAC Racing and has been the catalyst in launching several successful careers at higher levels. We are committed to continuing, and rebuilding, pavement midget racing. Participation will determine it's future. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns directly. Kevin Miller 317.446.7717 (c) http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XI7D4...E21wwBdG-qrg==

7/2/14, 12:58 AM	#6
ThrowbackRacingTeam Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,001	Thanks Mr. Gardner. Midget week does look consistent and that's good. But, there are so many others that are hurting and Mr. Miller seems to be oblivious. Belleville and anything on half miles, all pavement races, everything at Sun Prairie, sprint cars at Terre Haute and all other half miles, sprints everywhere besides the Indiana quarters and Silver Crown at every race. That's a lot for me to accept that everything is fine. If only having 23 sprinters at the Hulman Classic doesn't raise a red flag, I don't know what will. They don't run midgets there anymore because of the engines. The day they have to stop running the sprints there would be very devastating for people like me that love the half miles so much. I sure hope things turn around somehow.