Forum: Minnesota Dirt Track Racing Forum (go)
Moderators: StanM

Geez Stan, Can't seem to do anything right with Jack's son... I know it's not close to the cities, but a track that could be a real player for some great shows next year is in Spencer, Iowa. I can't beleive you'll see that facility sitting idle except for one race a year with the all the improvments that have been made.

Redwood was mentioned in this thread and that's an example of a place I've never been to. I have gone to Arlington for the IMCA and seen a lot of the cars and drivers that run Redwood so I'm probably somewhat familiar with what would be in store for me at Redwood. Redwood Falls is a Sunday night track, it's far enough that it would require Monday vacation. There's no good freeway system from the northeast Metro to Redwood so it's one of those places that would take a long time to get to on a two lane highway. To be honest, I only take vacation for racing when it's a special event, IRA Sprints, the WoO, WDRL Late Models, USMTS and that sort of thing. Same would hold true for Spencer if they started a weekly program or had more racing there. Even their WoO race looks like it's going to occupy a midweek date late in the season. By that time of the year vacation is usually in short supply so I don't see Spencer being an option for me. For the most part Saturday night is my dedicated racing night and my budget is going to keep me on a short leash from Forest Lake.

Stan Meissner

Stanley, Stanley, Stanley, when are you going to stop apologizing for the way you run YOUR Web Site.

If the whiners don't like the way you do it, they can start their own Site. You've worked hard building this to this point and you don't owe anyone anything, especially apologies!

True.

Stan Meissner

Spencer Has Great Facitilies Yes. But a surface that none of the locals are used to. So don't expect much.The Outlaw show was a bummer.But I guess I am still a Jack's Son fan through and through.

Put USAC/non-winged sprints on Madison Speedways track and I'll be the happiest guy in the world.

Another good show would be Badger Midgets at Red Cedar. I think the banking and track configuration there would be perfect for Midgets.

Stan Meissner

1bfan,

What did you find wrong at the Outlaw show in Spencer?

You are about the only person I have seen that didnt have a good time there.

Please explain.

Or Kopellah

I have to agree with Rizzo,,, I thought the feature at Spencer was a pretty decent race. Also what was wrong with the surface that the locals are not used to, and what has that got to do with running more shows there? It looks like Jack's son could be in a world of hurt if Spencer decided to run some Saturday specials.

Be careful what you wish for. I have learned from experience that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Case in point the Fox Ridge Speedway. A very nice new track in Arcadia just a few years ago is now closed. Tri-Oval at Fountain City re-opened and there was some ill will among the racers towards the Ridge due to some things that happened. Nothing earth shattering but you know how fickle fans and racers can be, show them a new track and the go flocking to it abandoning the ones they came from. So now the Ridge is closes and this weekend they had their "Pumkin" special at the Tri-Oval. There is a post with dozens of responses on another board bemoaning the terrible track conditions and inefficient running of the show at Tri-Oval. Just one example.

I'm not from your area down there so I don't know if Spencer will go to weekly racing (if the neighbors would allow it to happen), what type cars they'd run or what night. If that were to happen though I can guarantee that it's going to hurt one or more other tracks in the area. Based on tracks having to do back gate promoting for their weekly shows, the area Spencer is in and the cost of running a Sprint show and it's likely that they might not run them if they went weekly. At this point it's all speculation so nobody is right and nobody is wrong but I believe there's already too many tracks for the present economy to support.

Stan Meissner

I don't see a weekly program but some specials could be a real possibilty. The county of Clay has invested some jingle in their facilty and I can't beleive they will use it for just one race a year. What do you think Z-man?

I really think that the IMCA sprints are very competitive and fun to watch. They also are very "courteous" to each other. They help each other all the time, lending engines and other parts. It's great to see, and they do deserve more money, but it all comes down to sponsors.

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So you think the IMCA sprint cars are the best? So have you seen the other sprint car organazations from the upper midwest? The IMCA guys may be helpfull but I think you will see that most of the other organzations are the same

Better go to Walmart and get a stronger pair of readers. They said "very competitive and fun", not the best. Also mentioned that they're hobby racers and help each other out. That's not uncommon for a series like that and there's nothing bad about that. I don't believe they said anything about any other series, just that they have a good thing at Arlington and Redwood.

Darned stuff that people write between the lines is irritating sometimes, isn't it.

Stan Meissner

I have seen many different sprint car organizations race. I've seen Knoxville Championship Cup (410 and 360) World of Outlaws, IRA, Jackson 305's and 360's, USAC, and a few that I am forgetting. I never said they were the best, just very fun to watch.

*********

All racing is good ... as long as the driver has one foot on each side of the drive line!

Seems like a good number of sprint events in MN/northwestern WI for 2008 - with the IMCA group at Kasson 2 nights, Worthington 360 dates, the IRA tour back to Deer Creek, Arlington, and their northern Wisconsin dates, Outlaws at Cedar Lake and Princeton, Brainerd ASCS dates - not sure what happened to the Superior northern plains shows? Anything else- Kopellah 360 nights???

Should be a fun year!!