|
|
|
|
|
Topic: Top 25 Raciest Tracks--my PERSONAL version.
|
Email this topic to a friend |
Subscribe to this Topic
| Report this Topic to Moderator
|
|
Page 2 of 3 of 48 replies
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
01:34:09 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
08/04/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
135
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: Johnny Gibson on July 28 2015 at 05:41:26 PM
After speaking with Jeremy Elliot at Williams Grove, I started thinking about what tracks I'd list in my PERSONAL top 25. My criteria is different than Jeremy's--I'm listing what I consider the 25 raciest tracks in the world on which I've seen racing. So here's my list. . .
1) River Cities Speedway, Grand Forks, ND
2) Eagle Raceway, Lincoln, NE
3) Atomic Speedway, Chillicothe, OH
4) Cottage Grove Speedway, Cottage Grove, OR
5) Ohsweken Speedway, Ohsweken, ONT, Canada
6) Kokomo Speedway, Kokomo, IN
7) Talladega Dirt Track, Talladega, AL
8) Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, Pevely, MO
9) Limaland Motorsports Park, Lima, OH
10) Valvoline Speedway, Parramatta, NSW, Australia
11) US 36 Raceway, Cameron, MO
12) Lawrenceburg Speedway, Lawrenceburg, IN
13) Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, MN
14) The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC
15) Kings Speedway, Hanford, CA
16) Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, WI
16) I-80 Speedway, Greenwood, NE
17) Bloomington Speedway, Bloomington, IN
18) Path Valley Speedway, Spring Run, PA
19) Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, IA
20) Eldora Speedway, New Weston ,OH
21) Lernerville Speedway, Sarver, PA
22) Volunteer Speedway, Bulls Gap, TN
23) Husets Speedway, Brandon, SD
24) Murray Bridge Speedway, Murray Bridge, SA, Australia
25) Salina High Banks Speedway, Salina, OK
|
Wish we could work on a way to get Eagle back on the Outlaw tour. Next to The Nationals, the WoO visit to Eagle was the highlight of my racing calendar.
Is this heaven?
No, it's Iowa....Knoxville, Iowa.
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
01:52:36 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
09/21/2005
|
|
Posts:
|
461
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: sadiesue on July 29 2015 at 09:05:55 AM
WG not there because WOO have hard time winning there.
|
WG is 2 drag strips with a turnaround at each end.
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
03:04:36 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
08/09/2005
|
|
Posts:
|
311
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: MRZERO on July 29 2015 at 01:52:36 PM
WG is 2 drag strips with a turnaround at each end.
|
But still have good racing there
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
05:24:27 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
07/16/2008
|
|
Posts:
|
978
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: MRZERO on July 29 2015 at 01:52:36 PM
WG is 2 drag strips with a turnaround at each end.
|
The best of both worlds ??
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
06:18:15 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
01/26/2009
|
|
Posts:
|
795
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: Dryslick Willie on July 29 2015 at 11:41:21 AM
Quite a few people seem to have that opinion, but to me it brings up an interesting question. Out of all the tracks that run sprint cars, how many of them are 1/2 miles compared to 3/8 or 1/4? It appears there are far more shorter tracks on Johnny's list, but is that because there are far more shorter tracks out there than bigger 1/2 miles? Just food for thought, I don't know the answer that but it might be an interesting comparison.
|
Yes, I believe you're right. I wonder what the ratio is of 1/2 mile tracks to 3/8 or smaller (that race sprints at least annually). Very bullring heavy I would think.
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
06:43:27 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/30/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
1022
|
|
|
|
Of course, Little Springfield shut down years ago but it would be at the top of my top 25 list. Names like "Boom-Boom", "Storman Norman", "Gentleman Jim", "Dutch", "Swede" and others that raced there in the 60's, solidified my lifelong passion for sprint cars. Does anyone recall other nicknames from that era?
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
07:29:03 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/23/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
2809
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: maddog53 on July 29 2015 at 11:57:15 AM
What you are failing to realize, is that this is Johnny Gibson's top 25 list, which means it is his opinion. If any of you have tracks that you think should be on a list, start your own. He didn't ask anyone what 'their' favorite 25 tracks are, these are his so how can their be any argument to 'his PERSONAL list'? Just sayin'
|
Exactly....He (I believe) as I did, based it on the races I have actually seen in person. I've been to Eldora and WG, but the racing really wasn't all that good when I was there. That's not saying it's not good, it's just what I witnessed. It was hard to put Tri-State over I-55, considering that the best race I have ever seen was the 1998 U.S. Dirt Nationals WoO Dash (closely followed by Tony Elliott's USAC win that same night). But Haubstadt is consistently a get place to see a race, purely IMO.
Member of this message board since 1997
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
07:45:49 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/01/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
512
|
|
|
|
I can tell you my #1 track that ive seen races at, and ive been from coast to coast border to border watching races and Millstream Speedway has more memories of great races then all other combined! Steve Kinser on fire,,and kept coming back,to the big flood,,to the fuel tank over the crowd into the truck in turn 1.to Rod George winning the speedweek show coming through the field on the bottom ,,,Jack Hewitt got around there as good as anybody,,Larry Helms dominated,, The reopening a few years back packing the place . And the reopening this year was awesome as well! The CRA and USAC races were also second to none for the non wing races. Ferkel and Haud first and second at one of Earl Baltes earlier WoO shows and watching Earl Baltes run that track every week. Great memories!
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
09:59:30 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
06/02/2014
|
|
Posts:
|
22
|
|
|
|
Love seeing @bestdirttrack up there at number 1. It's unbeleivably racy. Glad i get to call it my "home track". Surprised to see @knoxvilleraces at 19. I've been to a lot but nothing comparable to Johnny. Kville would be top 3 if not 1 or 2 for me.
@farms9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
10:39:53 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/30/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
1461
|
|
|
|
Johnny, did you ever get to Santa Fe Speedway or Hales Corners before they closed? I am not sure if either would rank top 25 on anyone's list but Santa Fe sure was a fun paperclip.
Half mile tracks seem to be disappearing, much like the miles did 30-40 years ago. There are a few exceptions that will hang around until racing consists of nothing but Prius's and Smart Cars, but there are no new ones being built.
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
11:04:43 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
03/04/2011
|
|
Posts:
|
823
|
|
|
|
I think it took balls just to put a top 25 on here. Thanks Johnny, it was interesting to see your list and thanks for sharing. I'm only disappointed that I haven't been to any of ur top 5. I agree with a lot of ur list and , while Knoxville is my favorite track I can use common sense and admit there r tracks that produce better more exciting racing. Hopefully everyone else can appreciate the list for what it is. An opinio.
|
|
|
|
|
July 29, 2015 at
11:29:41 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
09/14/2010
|
|
Posts:
|
7603
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: sprintcarkelly on July 28 2015 at 08:39:45 PM
I am surprised The Tulare Thunderbowl isn't on the list! It is the best track in California and one of the best in the United States in many drivers and fans opinons! 
|
I was all excited to go to my first Trophy Cup last year cause of the total invert format, but was disappointed. Nite 1, everybody wrecked on turns 3 & 4, even in hot laps. Nite 2, everybody wrecked on the hump going into pits on 1&2. Grand Finale, kind of follow the leader
Think the drought was having an effect on track conditions?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 30, 2015 at
12:46:29 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/02/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
455
|
|
|
|
Speedbump: Never made it to Santa Fe, but saw 3 WoO races (announced one) and a midget race at Hales. Maybe in the BOTTOM 25 of tracks I've seen--don't miss that place at all.
Just to clarify: This list is of tracks where I've seen SPRINT CAR races, and doesn't include any tracks that not longer exist.
|
|
|
|
|
July 30, 2015 at
05:13:34 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/21/2010
|
|
Posts:
|
840
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: Johnny Gibson on July 30 2015 at 12:46:29 AM
Speedbump: Never made it to Santa Fe, but saw 3 WoO races (announced one) and a midget race at Hales. Maybe in the BOTTOM 25 of tracks I've seen--don't miss that place at all.
Just to clarify: This list is of tracks where I've seen SPRINT CAR races, and doesn't include any tracks that not longer exist.
|
It's true, hales corners was my home track as a kid, went there every Saturday night for years. The track itself pretty much stunk. But it did have great car counts and fan turnout, and they booked a lot of prominent sanctioning bodies, and some legendary drivers ran there, Alan Kulwicki being the first one that comes to mind. WoO shows at HC are the reason I am hooked on sprint car racing to this day.
Follow me on the social medias! ; twitter -
larryitis Facebook - Michael Collins
|
|
|
|
July 30, 2015 at
11:28:24 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
04/18/2008
|
|
Posts:
|
1267
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: revjimk on July 29 2015 at 11:29:41 PM
I was all excited to go to my first Trophy Cup last year cause of the total invert format, but was disappointed. Nite 1, everybody wrecked on turns 3 & 4, even in hot laps. Nite 2, everybody wrecked on the hump going into pits on 1&2. Grand Finale, kind of follow the leader
Think the drought was having an effect on track conditions?
|
I can assure you that what you saw was the exception to the rule when it comes to Tulare. It is just plain a fast, fun and RACEY place. Bottom line for me is that of the dozens of times I have been there I can think of only a handful of trips where the racing was so so. Usually it's fantastic.
Cheers!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 30, 2015 at
01:00:15 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
10/02/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
50
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: henry chinaski on July 30 2015 at 11:28:24 AM
I can assure you that what you saw was the exception to the rule when it comes to Tulare. It is just plain a fast, fun and RACEY place. Bottom line for me is that of the dozens of times I have been there I can think of only a handful of trips where the racing was so so. Usually it's fantastic.
|
Warrnambool (Premier) should be there and probably top ten
|
|
|
|
|
July 30, 2015 at
02:57:11 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
09/14/2010
|
|
Posts:
|
7603
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: henry chinaski on July 30 2015 at 11:28:24 AM
I can assure you that what you saw was the exception to the rule when it comes to Tulare. It is just plain a fast, fun and RACEY place. Bottom line for me is that of the dozens of times I have been there I can think of only a handful of trips where the racing was so so. Usually it's fantastic.
|
Thanks for the input....
One question: Is that picture of you, or Charles Bukowski?
|
|
|
|
|
July 30, 2015 at
02:59:32 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
09/14/2010
|
|
Posts:
|
7603
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: Hawker on July 28 2015 at 06:30:03 PM
Interesting topic....Granted, I don't have near the number of tracks under my belt that you do Johnny, but these are mine based on first hand accounts.
1. Tri-State Speedway - Haubstadt, IN
2. I-55 Speedway - Pevely, MO
3. Devil's Bowl Speedway - Mesquite, TX
4. Riverside International Raceway - West Memphis, AR
5. The "new" Tri-City Speedway - Granite City, IL
6. Eagle Raceway - Lincoln, NE
7. The PAS - Perris, CA
8. Bloomington Speedway - Bloomington, IN
9. Cowtown Speedway - Kennedale, TX
10. I-30 Speedway - Little Rock, AR
11. Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA
12. Lincoln Speedway - Abbottstown, PA
13. U.S. 36 Speedway - Cameron, MO
14. Lake Ozark Speedway - Eldon, MO
15. Tulsa Speedway (3/8 that is now a parking lot) - Tulsa, OK
16. Lone Star Speedway - Kilgore, TX
17. XX Speedway - California, MO
18. Jacksonville Speedway - Jacksonville, IL
19. Lakeside Speedway - Kansas City, KS
20. I-80 Speedway - Greenwood, NE
21. Creek County Speedway - Sapulpa, OK
22. Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA
23. Tulsa Speedway (the big track) - Tulsa, OK
24. Cocopah Speedway - Yuma, AZ
25. 24 Raceway - Moberly, MO
|
I've been to Haubstadt once, on my way to Knoxville, & loved it. Instantly sold me on Indiana wingless bullrings!
Next year I went to Kokomo Smackdown, plan on going again this year....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 30, 2015 at
11:01:32 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
08/16/2014
|
|
Posts:
|
180
|
|
|
|
How anybody can put Bloomington Speedway above Haubstadt is beyong my field of comprehension. Outlaws always great at Tri-State. Outlaws have hardly raced Bloomington much the last 20 years. Non-wing shows are always superb at TSS, not so much at B'ton. I thing Herr Gibson doesn't like the John Deere show at TSS. Most Outlaw drivers never have, either, but the fans love the track prep result and they pay the bills so that's that. I was talking to a guy ftom Australia at the Winter Nationals and he said down there in Aussie land Haubstadt is on a lot of peoples' bucket list.
|
|
|
|
|
March 09, 2016 at
05:59:11 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/21/2010
|
|
Posts:
|
840
|
|
|
|
BUMP
Follow me on the social medias! ; twitter -
larryitis Facebook - Michael Collins
|
|
|
