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Ultimate Challenge Takes a Break in 2014!

(Bill W) December 11, 2013 – Unfortunately, for non-wing fans, the Ultimate Challenge, traditionally held on Tuesday night of Southern Iowa Sprintweek at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa will be taking a break in 2014.  Both USAC and Ultimate Challenge promoter Terry McCarl came to the understanding that it was the best course of action for the entities involved.

McCarl explained the decision.  “(USAC Competition Director) Jason (McCord) called me and indicated that it was a hard night for his guys to race without another one in the area to go with it.  Logistically, it has just become too tough with the costs to fill a field.  We both came to an understanding that it was best for the Ultimate Challenge, USAC and the Southern Iowa Speedway to not hold the event in 2014.  It’s sad for me, because I love the non-wing shows so much.”

The veteran promoter and racer has seen plenty of adjustments in his career and this will be another.  “There are changes in life and you have to roll with the punches as they come,” says McCarl.  “We have had a great run to this point with the Ultimate Challenge.  The reason we started the race back in 2002 was because Bill McCroskey and I both enjoy non-wing racing.  We saw some shows as we were traveling in Indiana and we really enjoyed them.  We thought it would be fun to bring them here to Iowa, and it really has become a passion for me.  I just love watching those guys in the corner at Oskaloosa battling it out.”

McCord regrets that the Ultimate Challenge will not run this year.  “For me personally, it’s heartbreaking,” he says.  “I love working with Terry and the whole staff there in Oskaloosa.  That part really stinks.  We could probably keep on trucking if we had one or at least two other shows up in that area for our drivers.  It’s difficult for those guys.  Many have full-time jobs, and it’s hard to get away on a Tuesday for just one race.”

USAC has sought other tracks to run their sanction in the area, but has come up empty, mostly due to the busy schedule in central Iowa.  “Trying to find a racetrack or promoter to do anything around the weeks of the Knoxville Nationals is difficult,” says McCord.  “That is understandable.  That’s the unfortunate truth of the matter for Terry and everyone who has built up this great event.  He really loves non-wing racing and the fans in that area do to.  That’s the unfortunate part.”

McCord noted the decreasing fields in the event as an obstacle right now.  “I certainly don’t want anyone to think it’s something that USAC wants to happen,” he says.  “If I could tell Terry we can have twenty-four cars that would be one thing, but the past few years the counts have declined as it has become just the one race in the area.  Collectively, between Terry and myself, we decided we’d take the one year off and try to find a way to bring it back in 2015.  That’s our hope and dream.”

McCarl turns nostalgic when thinking about some of the past Ultimate Challenge events.  “I would argue with anyone on Earth that the year Jesse Hockett won the Ultimate Challenge was the best event I’ve ever seen in sprint car racing,” he says.  “We had two sets of heats and every single one of them were good.  Some were unbelievably great!  Then we had a feature finish that went three-wide for the win…if we hadn’t have had transponders, I don’t know if we would have known who won.  After every race that night, we saw fans on their feet cheering, and that’s what you look for and thrive on as a promoter.  Hopefully, we can bring that thrill back, but at this time, it’s just not in the cards.”

McCarl and his wife Lori are already focusing on the Front Row Challenge and have a lot of surprises in store not only in 2014, but for the 20^th running in 2015.  “On the bright side, it frees us up to focus on the Front Row Challenge and making it an even bigger and better event,” says Terry.  “It also gives us a rain date, which is good for us and the fans.  We have some things in store, and we’re working on some big announcements coming up involving making the Front Row Challenge an even bigger and better event.”

Renewal tickets for the 19^th Annual Front Row Challenge in 2014 go on sale in February.  For more information, call TMAC Promotions at 515 957-0020.  For further information, stay tuned to www.OskyChallenges.com!

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Very sad to see this news because the non wing cars were a big part of my decision to attend. I fully understand USAC's reasoning but it is still regretable. I have become a bit disillusioned with the "Front Row Challenge" over the last few years as well due to the fact that no driver has taken the challenge, and I doubt any will anytime soon. I will wait to see what Terry & Lori come up with as far as the surprises this article promises before deciding upon attendance. Just hope they are very exciting and make me want to spend my money again this year.

Thank you for making a wise decision.

When you say "no one" has taken the front row challenge do you mean other than tony Bruce, jr who, in fact, did take the challenge this year (2013)? 

305's are the herpes of sprint cars

Perfect time to change sanctioning bodies......

One word......... WOW

Wow is right,  this news is not welcomed but perfectly understandable, I guess these racers arnt as hardcore full time drivers as we assume they are, they have real jobs,  perfectly logical financhally, im a winged fan ,but, the addition of the nonwing cars seems to be a big hit with many many fans, I like them too, love them or hate them its still better than watching 1000 mortifieds wheel scrub or bumper punch each other every corner . total respect for nonwing drivers as the consiquences for a love tap can be astronomical as well as someone getting hurt, expessially at a place as narrow and large as Osky, well, if it dont rain?  what are we going to do Tuesday?  state fair I guess?

Dang! I hate to hear that but understand the decision. This was the only non-wing action in our area and will be missed greatly. It was a super show everytime we've went. Knoxville has tried the non-wings on Sunday a few times with so-so crowds. I'm just wondering if they upped the anti and ran a "Mopar Million" type race one year what would happen. With a big enough pay out for the top 5 would they intice the best winged drivers in the counrty to take the lids off for one night. Also would give the non-wing guys another night racing to make the trip worth while and save the Ultimate Challenge. As a race fan I'm sure this is wishful thinking. The Sunday night Capitani Classic had an amazing crowd and maybe the best car count of any sprint event of the year. Not sure any other weekend would draw enough out of state fans and have the Outlaw drivers available to take the challenge. Just my dream race I guess. Hope the Ultimate Challenge can make it back into the schedule somehow soon.

I often wondered why some (more) of the winged greats dont go "topless" durning this week, I know most are in thier RV's meditating over the week that lies ahead, lack of equipment,risk of injury, ect proubly all plays part in the lack of attendance,  too bad there wasnt a convincing fashion to attract more cars (afterall alot of drivers are there) I know most would prefferr a different car,  with that noted,  Props to R Bell last year for running the wingless show,  I honestly would consider a "topless" show if I had a big enuff pair, and if i didnt,  I could buy a pair with the dough I won for taking green , lol,  pardon the pun..  Honestly, every winged guy has pondered the thought..  aww,  and "topless" just has a ring to it.. what guy doesnt want to see what that is all about..

Don't give up hope yet Terry!    The MegaMillions drawing is tomorrow night and if the right numbers get drawn, there will be enough sponsorship money available to promote 3 or 4 more non-wing shows in the area.    

Anyone else want to pledge a small slice of their lottery winnings to the cause?   

I stand corrected cajunis#1. Guess I am getting forgetful in my old age, or maybe my wife's right & I just don't pay attention sometimes......Nahhhh that can't be it.  LOL

While I'm sad to see it go, I haven't attended in 7+ years.

The racing was always good, when I attended, it just got to the point where I was fed up with the down time that USAC had at that point (every car Time Trialed for 2 laps and they wouldn't push off the next car until AFTER the car took the checkered and pulled into the pits for their 2nd lap).  For a guy with kids under 10 at that point, it just wasn't worth it to get home @ midnight or later for a 30 car show (no support class back then either).

I completely understand USAC's position when it comes to not having tracks to race at in the area for their teams, but I find it VERY hard to believe that if a USAC show is probitable for a track that they couldn't find somewhere to race (Burlington still runs on Saturday Night AGAINST Knoxville 360 Nationals).  Tracks in MO aren't willing to do anything on Friday or Saturday and then the teams go to Osky on Tuesday (no way those tracks in MO consider the Nationals competition for fans (especially tracks that run weekly)??

I realize that car counts for USAC aren't stellar at pretty much any event (mostly due to USAC's total lack of realization that they are cannibalizing their own car counts when they schedule Midgets, Sprints and Silver Crown at different tracks on the same nights).  Until the leadership @ USAC realizes that they could be STRONGER and have bigger car counts if they got out of their own way, sadly it will remain the way it is (let's just add more directors and people in charge and pretend nothing is wrong). 

It's time for USAC to realize that they are no longer the only game in town (POWRI) and their competition is putting on better events than they do (and local tracks in Indiana are putting on better events and oftentimes pay just as well too).

USAC still has a place, but they need to make sure that they don't make their own drivers choose between a Midget in Wisconsin, Sprints in Ohio, or Silver Crown in Indiana (that is probably the biggest thing that holds them back from being able to book shows (how can a promotor promote an event if he's not sure who will show up from the "touring" drivers).

Well that sucks! Me and my drunken buddies (relax im the designated driver) got to see our first ultimate challenge this year and really enjoyed it. We had already penciled in that vacation day for next year. Like old Mcdonald said at the spelling bee " dagg nabbitt !"  

Their own arrogance is their biggest problem which you have for the most part spelled out here.

Vande77 I think it would be cool to see POWRI there. I always enjoyed the midgets at Knoxville. Another great class that we don't get up here in our neck of the woods.

Dave Boy

The days of qualifying have been gone for years...since SCRA sanction...

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The last year I attended was the first year of USAC sanctioning.  They time trialed (and took forever to run the show too) that night and I haven't been back since.

Only went to 1 show when USAC was @ Knoxville, they dragged that out too for no apparent reason.

For who?... Not USAC and trust me, there are more than a few of us out here who still enjoy qualifying... SCRA morphed into USAC/CRA, so in effect, nothing changed....This is bad ass..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akI7KqSmLUE

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

So the Front Row Challenge is a one-day show with ASCS and Tuesday is the rain date?

I was thinking the same thing, heck whats the next best thing,  alltho i havent attended any midget shows live, im not sure how good of a show it is on the larger tracks? , if its anything like thursday night thunder as a kid, bring it on!