:usacfan just wonderin' - has consideration ever been given to expanding the National Silver Crown Schedule to several additional 1/2 mile dirt tracks big enough to handle the big cars ? With the few remaining potential dirt miles & limited pavement venues available, this would seem to be a way for USAC to reinvigorate a National Touring series, taking advantage of the number of cars still available & the number of 1/2 mi dirt tracks operating nationwide. How do the costs of owning, operating & touring a dirt SC car compare to a 410 Sprint Car ?

In my region (MD/PA), I'd think that Hagerstown, Williams Grove, Port Royal & Selingsgrove would all be potential venues. It would seem that the novelty of big cars & longer races would attract more of the considerable existing winged Sprint audience, than would just taking the wing off a 410 Sprint Car (like they see every week). Especially if you play up the history, tradition, past driver development aspects.

I'd suspect the same concept could work in other regions with significant existing Sprint Car fanbases. ...just thinkin' about possible ways to win some audience from NASCAR, WoO, Late Models, etc.. ??:kookoo??

:usacfanYou bring up some good points but I think USAC should concentrate on getting the purses up to where they need to be before adding races to the schedule. The purses they were paying for the New Gen cars is what they should be paying now. They need to secure good race sponsors or an adequate title sponsor, if not you will only see 24-28 cars per race instead of 35-45 as in the past.:usacfan

:checkered:WE HAVE RACED DIRT CARS AT WILLLAMS GROVE FOR OVER 50 YEARS! AND RACED AT HAGERSTOWN!

Having a 1/2 mile that can handle SC cars is only a small part of the problem. They also need grandstands big enough to support the number of people it would take to make that show profitable. Then you must attract that number of people to your race. Central PA is winged sprint country and NY is modified country. SC is a real hard sell in those areas. And thanks once again, Duke, for your great contribution to yet another thread.

Anybody who's ever banged wheels with the likes of Sheldon Kinser, Rich Vogler, Chuck Gurney, and so on should pretty much be able to post whatever they want on here...

So what if the dude doesn't know proper messageboard protocol. One of his posts have more relevance than ten of Chuck N's combined...

And back to the topic, running more half miles would certianly only benefit the series. More races generally transfers to more cars, which in turn hopefully generates more intrest and potential sponsership $$$$$'s....

I would think that Perris and Manzanita would be good for back-to-back weekends. Also Calistoga though it's in wing country. That would be a nice west coast swing early in the year.

Thanks for the thoughtful replies. They prompt these followup ?'s (just seeking info, not an argument).

(1.) I was at Hagerstown for the USAC Sprint Car races the past 2 years & was headed to the Grove this year when the tornado came. I also attended the SC race at Hagerstown in the early 80's (82 or 83 ?). If there were other USAC dirt races in MD/PA since I arrived in '78, I didn't get the word & missed 'em. (time flies when you're havin' fun :thumb).

(2.) I appreciate that Central PA is winged Sprint country. I watch the PA Posse most weekends from Mem Day to Labor Day. Talking with Posse fans, it occurred to me that the unique aspects of the SC cars & longer race might attract their attention more than a USAC Sprint show - & there wouldn't be the whole wing v nonwing parochial machoposturing deal (with potential loss of Posseface that appears to be a detriment to Posse racing v USAC Sprints, like they do v the WoO/All Stars). There's several tracks that run Sprints throughout the season, but only 3 with weekly shows. I sense that there's yet untapped openwheel market potential here. Also, given the success of SC alums in NASCAR, fans at Late Model tracks might be curious enough to come out & take a look. I believe I heard K Miller on a radio show say they were pleased with this years E swing & were planning to return next season.

(3.) Approx how much more is it to stage a SC race, rather than a USAC Sprint Car race? Approx how much more is it to own, operate, & tour a Dirt SC rather than a USAC Sprint Car ? Any idea what attendace was at the E swing shows in MD/PA the past 2 years?

Just tossing out ideas in hopes that if & when USAC expands again, the first move will be due East - in all classes.

Thanks for your thoughts,
:usacfan:nonwingfan: in PA Posseland

I attended one of the Williams Grove SC races and thought it was attended well. To make it work in the Central PA area you'll need to run it on a Thursday or Sunday unless it runs early in the season before all the local track get their 410 programs going or at the end of the year. You will also need to get Rahmer, Dewease, Esh and one or two other area hot shoes in cars to attract interest in the local fan base. Also you might try and tie in the program with ARDC and make it a two class show. Running just a 100 lap SC program won't attract as many fans as a two series show. Also I think Bridgeport's 5/8 might work nicely for a SC program, but you'll have to eal with New Jersey laws and that's a bit of a sticking point.

I THINK IT IS WORTH A TRY. THERE ARE FEW DIRT MILES ANYMORE AND EVEN THE 1/2's ARE GETTING SCARCE. I'VE GOT TO REST NOW, ALL THIS SHOUTING HAS HURT MY HEAD.:shout:moon:

You need some GOODY'S.