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USAC TO BROADEN YOUTH MOTORSPORTS PROGRAMS

MARCH 14, 2008 --- The United States Auto Club is currently conducting pilot programs in Indiana and California aimed at providing motorsports opportunities for youth in the early stages of career development.

In 2009, this movement will spread nationwide as USAC institutes a program of racing using restricted horsepower Midgets, competing on tracks no larger than one-quarter mile in length, utilizing engines with a maximum horsepower of 120.

As our sport continues to grow, it is evident that youth are an increasing commodity and it is the intention of USAC to provide opportunities for careers and career advancement for those wishing to pursue this field of dreams.

USAC has, in recent years, been the breeding ground for major motorsports talent. Five of the “top-20” in the current NASCAR Nextel Cup standings are USAC graduates, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards.

In 2007, USAC’s regional racing championships were claimed by a 15-year-old (Kyle Hamilton), a 16-year-old (Tanner Swanson), three 18-year-olds (Jeff Abold, Mario Clouser and Nic Faas), a 19-year-old (James Robertson) and a 20-year-old (Tim Skoglund). Robertson also won the National Ford Focus title.

The experience gained in these regional series obviously serves to prepare these youngsters for advancement in their careers, witness the second-place finish of “rookie” Nic Faas in last Saturday night’s 30-lap USAC/CRA Sprint race at Perris, Calif.

The framework of USAC, with its myriad of racing formulas, creates a natural ladder for aspiring race drivers to not only build a racing resume but to achieve a significant measure of success in our sport.

Well what a novel thing for USAC to do. But wait a minute. Ventura Raceway Association has had a program in place for years. The kids can race mini dwarf cars in two divisions, age 5 to 11 and in Mini Midget cars in ages from 10 to 16. The divisions have motor restrictions and their own set of rules. They have their own smaller tracks inside the main track and it is very exciting. They have their own pits and the program has brought many new families into racing.

I know this is a little different than the Focus midgets, but the questions are:

Isn't that what the Focus cars were also for?

Wouldn't such young drivers be in a Focus car now if they could?

What happens when this 'new' limited midget is in the same market as the Focus cars?

Would the fields be so divided that car counts would suffer?

I am all for getting todays young people into the sport for future growth. What I don't understand is how adding this 'other midget' is going to add to new drivers while maintaining a respectable car count for a car that already was created to do the same thing.

KOP,

I cant emagen that they are NOT talking about the Jr. Focus program. Ristricted midget is probably just a play on words and really means jr. Focus. I tried my dammedest to get the whole jr. Focus thing going five years ago and was told it couldnt be done. Cory took the bull by the horns and made it happen. Now there are more Jr. Focuses then there are regular, of course all of teh Jr.s will be regulars in the next few years but now that its VERY popular USAC will step in pat themselves on the back for such a novel idea.

I see what your saying there Kevin. Guess a "Jr. Focus" program works if a certain area doesn't have mini sprints. If an area did and the Jr. Focus car were introduced, there would be split fields between those two.

Here in Oklahoma, there is a very strong mini sprint program. Drivers that some west coasters now know that recently have come from this class include: Brady Bacon, Dustin Morgan and Donnie Ray Crawford (5th place in 2007 Chili Bowl). I can see where in your market the program would possibly work. Need to get those little tikes out from behind those video games and into a real life video game!

I can just see Cory's new class of students at the driving school full of 8 year olds! I can also see Carri all busy blowing up balloons and making up several plates of cake and ice cream.

well I tried to keep my mouth shut but what the hell here goes.

USAC what the hell are you doing.Are you trying to justify your existence or what ? We don't need anymore programs you morons can't run the ones you've got.why don't you try promoting what you've got Sprints,Midgets and Silver Crown.

the youth have plenty of opportunities with 1/4 Midgets,Karts and mini sprints.

ROB

Some of you are always going to bitch,of course USAC wants to bask in the glory of Naylors success.My wish is they'd bring a scratchpad to Ventura,and steal more of the good he's done,bring it back to USAC and take credit for that to.Ford Focus JR.is a good program. If it goes nationwide,so much the better.

I believe this is the first positive thing I've written in USAC's defence.