As someone who has been in attendance with MOWA since its inception as either a crew member or a patron and knowing virtually everyone who competes in some fashion, I will say this. The series is full of teams who race on the weekends. 95% of the teams are working-class who have jobs to go to on Monday, making Sunday races difficult. Also factor in Terre Haute being a half mile, many of those teams are not geared to compete at that type of track. A lot of factors outside “not wanting to race” go into those decisions
I'm a local who has only missed a couple Maverick shows this year. One of which being Red Hill and one at Putnamville. I was on my way to Terre Haute when I heard only 3 signed in. I turned around and headed home. For me personally, $31 is not worth not even 3 heats. That is the price of admission to a USAC show. Attendance has been terrible for the events. With the exception of Haubstadt the other races were like ghost towns. And you can say promotion was bad for many of the events. But that doesnt explain attendance during Maverick Mayhem. All of those events were on Flo and were being talked about quite heavily on social media due to the massive car counts. The crowds still didn't show up. My final thoughts are that a High Limit or Outlaw show at any of these tracks would do extremely well especially on a weekend. But getting people to risk $30 on not knowing what the car count or talent level will be is a big ask. Especially with the amount of USAC and other big non wing shows we have around here.
Indiana is just a Nonwing crowd in my opinion. Thats all I go watch live is USAC. Of course I grew up on Nonwing cars. I guess it jammed in my head by my dad 😂.
@@freedom6919741 100% agree its a non wing crowd. I'm 39 and been going to the racetracks around here since the playpen. And hands down I'm going to a USAC show over a Highlimit or Outlaw show any day. But I try to support as much racing as I can afford. Just dissapointed for Kevin and the Spikers really. I was already anticipating the series failing after this year anyway. This may have been the final nail in the coffin.
Once high schrool and college football starts, local and small regional sanctions may as well shutter for the season. A track I worked for in Michigan tried to run to the end of September and took a bath every season I was there. It’s tough to compete with American football in America.
@@djjazzyjeff1232I skipped prom on my senior year to hit the races, priorities l man, gotta support your tracks or they just go away. Just like any small business. Maybe they should just run specials draw the cars draw the people simple!
@@bobstatoniii2826 You're not wrong, but you're never going to be able to compete with football so don't bother. Also Prom is in May, like the beginning of summer not in September..
@@djjazzyjeff1232 in Iowa I think they do pretty well, big shows big money. 💸 brings the fans and racers allot of racers their kids aren’t in to sports besides racing
Glad to see someone else take Bloomington over it's not been the speedway I grew up at the last 2 years live 20 minutes away from it and haven't been there in 2 years! Live in Bloomington and drive all the way to haubstadt to watch a race or pargon has become a nice place
A lot of good comments posted. I think the answer is 12 sprint cars to run a show. Sunday night is a difficult night to race because of people working on Mondays and the NFL now playing football. Finally track size is an issue. Even in PA, some race teams are selective to racing the bigger 1/2 mile tracks that are harder on motors. There was a good point made that if there was any doubt about the number of cars that were going to show up, the promoter should have been calling guys during the week to get a sense of participation. Hopefully the Maverick series does not die because of this cancellation or poor management decisions in this the first year. I honestly think winged sprint car racing will eventually take hold in Indiana. This event is just growing pains.
It happened twice with the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars at Port Royal and Outlaw; 8 and 11 respectively with 4,000 to win. They were held because the 410s were packed at the Port and a good showing of big blocks and sportsman at Outlaw to make up for it. It's the promoters(?) decision to have them. I'm glad they did. Great show for both
Sunday is a bad day to schedule any racing. Low car counts is a good reason to cancel, but let fans know a few days ahead, and make teams commit to showing up a few days ahead.
I would be okay with 10 cars at a regional series race on a Sunday. Run Qualifying , a heat race and a feature. Of course more is better but sitting at home with no racing is less fun than watching 10 Sprint cars race for 20-25 laps.
There are no race track promoters anymore-only track opperaters!! A promoter would have been on the phone all week making sure he had cars coming.The day of just throwing open the door and asssuming cars will show is over.
Winged sprints are so much more expensive than non-wing. The "weekend racer" just can't afford to run. One tumble and you're out 3 grand in wings and things. Truely sad. We raced 3 nights a week in the 80's and 90's in Southern Indiana, Bloomington, Paragon,and TriState. Good memories 😢
I think that the Maverick series should’ve tried to race, it I can understand why they made the tough decision not to race. Yes, this could sting into the future. Great news!
Myself and a friend were originally going to go to that 410 race at I-70 back in May once we saw only 8 cars showed up on Facebook we changed plans. I don’t know how many were signed up but I-70 postponed the 2nd Poweri 410 sprint race they were supposed to have in July because of I’m assuming low car count race got moved to September 28th
I remember in 2016 I drove 1700+ miles to see a race at lakeside speedway in KCK the Grant Junghans memorial race and heats were starting and the sky opened up it rained all of 10 minutes and the race was canceled and no makeup date was announced and was made up the following year. That was a tough one as the weather the following day which was a Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. USMTS was co sponsor of that event and took no responsibility for the event only blaming on Lakeside itself. These big money shows are a big hit to the tracks and any excuse to cancel is the norm these days.
I've usually attended only bigger series (WOO, IRA, All Stars) so the car count is usually 30 or better. With that understanding I expect 24 cars as a minimum. That gives you 3 heat races with 8 cars. Take the top 4 from each heat and have a small b main and run the feature, or let everyone make the main and have a slightly bigger starting grid for the feature. When you're driving 2, 3 hours spending $40 - $60 in gas, $25 for a ticket, plus adult beverage and snacks it makes for a pricey evening. I would not be happy to spend that kind of money to see 8 - 10 cars. I was entertaining going to that race. Glad I stayed home. I've been burned by THAT before and swore I'd never go back.
Was 12 modifieds on the grounds with 4-6 more comming in gates, probably not 50 fans on the grounds, we stayed around 1/2 to 45 minutes after they canceled, and not many more fans came in, it was definitely a hard decision I'm sure, and they (Spiker) gave us tow money, for our time
As a local competitor, can confirm. It's not so much that they're hard on motors, but you NEED a good motor to even have a chance and most local guys motor program isn't top notch, they're doing their best with what they've got. On a bullring, you can get away with that because it requires a competent wheelman. Frankly, the bigger the track gets the less the driver matters.
Maybe dont plan races on sundays. Id love to go but with that track being over 4hrs away on a work night, not really possible for myself. 4hrs is a common trip for myself so that isnt a problem on a friday or saturday.
i've watched 15 car shows at the grove before during nationals weekend before they started taking the week off but they normally had a good 358 field to put on a decent night. if you dont have 3 heats of cars its really an exhibition race imho.
highland rained out with no rain we got there and found out and someone said it was on facebook not every one gets facebook i was very disappointed because i do not get to go to many races
I have been at tracks from Palmer Alaska to Elcentro California and From Sault Sainte Marie Ontario to Clewiston Florida and 8 cars has always been the accepted number of cars to make a class and run a race .
I’m a very amateur track chaser (42 tracks in 14 states) but I haven’t been to Palmer races. Have been to twin cities raceway in Kenai and Kodiak island raceway on Kodiak Island. Unfortunately the only 4 guys that owned stock cars on the entire island all worked at the same cannery and had to work that night. Still had a blast😎
@@kevineakman8586 I worked on the Exxon Valdez clean up for one season . We got very little time off and could only attend one race . I envy you for being able to get to the tracks I heard so much about when I was there .
I always wanted to experience Alaska, not some cruise or fly to anchorage and take a bus to a resort, but truly experience what it was like to live in Alaska. So in early 07 I found myself unemployed and getting divorced. Went online and found a job at the dry dock in Seward. I moved via Alaska airways, landed in anchorage, bought an old ford ranger and drove to Seward. Stayed until late 2010. The stories I could tell. Quite an adventure for a farm kid from Minnesota to be wandering around the seaside mountains of Alaska. By the way, you missed a spot. If you dig down a foot or so on the rocky beaches of Elrington, LaTouche, Evans island area, there was still oil in 09.✌️
Interesting that you begin with asking how many are enough, count up to 9 with Maverick that cancels, then also discuss a 10 car invitation race. 10 must be the magic number.
USAC Eastern sprints ran Friday night at the Outlaw Track in NY Unfortunately only 11 cars showed up but they still ran the show. Fridsy night racing is very hard for drivers that have a job. Every track is different on how they handle their programs. I feel bad for the drivers that showed up
I agree with you that it's a great potential regional Series, but I think it needs a serious rethink. Especially being a Sunday Series, with these car counts, run the races during normal track nights, i.e. Friday or Saturday nights.
I live in an area where there aren't a lot of sprint car shows, and almost no 410 shows, so I try to attend when they're in a reasonable distance. I would have been really annoyed to have shown up and there were only a handful of cars. That's not even enough to run a heat race. Good move on their part to cancel .
I-70 could not afford to cancel that race for many reasons. The track has struggled with not being a weekly track, way too fast for locals(little or no support class)and snake bit from the weather. My guess is the drag strip will be successful and the dirt track will sit unused. They really need to move the Silver Dollar Nationals from Hussets to I-70. Car count will immediately double.
@@ryanshowalter8918 yea I wish it was more viable bc the facility is top notch. They needed to make the track shorter with less banking so it would be more attractive to all classes/levels of cars. I went to the Lucas/MLRA LM race two years ago and they were not lifting all the way around and overheating motors.
Is it just me, or has Terra Haute become a magnet for this kind of thing? Remember the Silver Crown race that was so dusty that the drivers couldn't see past the nose of their cars? There seems to be "drama" at every race. On top of that, the track is huge, which means expensive for teams even when the surface is good. Especially high downforce classes.
Sadly, you're right. They're on their second promotion team since Track Enterprises was not renewed. Big mistake there. The track and facility need major updates. Half mile racing not for everyone. We'll see how the October Silver Crown race goes. On a Sunday!
Just saw that Lynn Paxton passed away on the 13th I think they said. Hell of a racer, PA boy through and through, may he travel faster still, through the heavens.
I'm wondering if we're reaching the saturation point of sprint shows. Sundays shows from years gone by worked because they were in some cases in the only game in town. Today, especially with the NFL in its second week of the new season. Was this race doomed from the start ?
![Kodak Black - Catch Fire [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/A4ch-olIuZo/mqdefault.jpg)
As someone who has been in attendance with MOWA since its inception as either a crew member or a patron and knowing virtually everyone who competes in some fashion, I will say this. The series is full of teams who race on the weekends. 95% of the teams are working-class who have jobs to go to on Monday, making Sunday races difficult. Also factor in Terre Haute being a half mile, many of those teams are not geared to compete at that type of track. A lot of factors outside “not wanting to race” go into those decisions
Hi mate - should have called me - I could have finally made a feature!
😂😂😂😂
@@CallumWilliamson1 this actually made me laugh 🤣
Tanner Holmes? Is that you? 😂
Very good mate
😂😂 Congrats bro!!!
R.I.P rest in peace Lynn Paxton
I'm a local who has only missed a couple Maverick shows this year. One of which being Red Hill and one at Putnamville. I was on my way to Terre Haute when I heard only 3 signed in. I turned around and headed home. For me personally, $31 is not worth not even 3 heats. That is the price of admission to a USAC show. Attendance has been terrible for the events. With the exception of Haubstadt the other races were like ghost towns. And you can say promotion was bad for many of the events. But that doesnt explain attendance during Maverick Mayhem. All of those events were on Flo and were being talked about quite heavily on social media due to the massive car counts. The crowds still didn't show up. My final thoughts are that a High Limit or Outlaw show at any of these tracks would do extremely well especially on a weekend. But getting people to risk $30 on not knowing what the car count or talent level will be is a big ask. Especially with the amount of USAC and other big non wing shows we have around here.
Indiana is just a Nonwing crowd in my opinion. Thats all I go watch live is USAC. Of course I grew up on Nonwing cars. I guess it jammed in my head by my dad 😂.
@@freedom6919741 100% agree its a non wing crowd. I'm 39 and been going to the racetracks around here since the playpen. And hands down I'm going to a USAC show over a Highlimit or Outlaw show any day. But I try to support as much racing as I can afford. Just dissapointed for Kevin and the Spikers really. I was already anticipating the series failing after this year anyway. This may have been the final nail in the coffin.
Once high schrool and college football starts, local and small regional sanctions may as well shutter for the season. A track I worked for in Michigan tried to run to the end of September and took a bath every season I was there. It’s tough to compete with American football in America.
Excellent point. Friday Night Lights are much brighter at the Football fields than the racetrack after school start.
@@djjazzyjeff1232I skipped prom on my senior year to hit the races, priorities l man, gotta support your tracks or they just go away. Just like any small business. Maybe they should just run specials draw the cars draw the people simple!
@@bobstatoniii2826 You're not wrong, but you're never going to be able to compete with football so don't bother. Also Prom is in May, like the beginning of summer not in September..
@@djjazzyjeff1232 in Iowa I think they do pretty well, big shows big money. 💸 brings the fans and racers allot of racers their kids aren’t in to sports besides racing
@@bobstatoniii2826 For every racer there's 10,000 football players though. You have to understand that.
I often drive a 100 miles or more to see a race, run the race!.. that would be a one and done deal for that track
Glad to see someone else take Bloomington over it's not been the speedway I grew up at the last 2 years live 20 minutes away from it and haven't been there in 2 years! Live in Bloomington and drive all the way to haubstadt to watch a race or pargon has become a nice place
A lot of good comments posted. I think the answer is 12 sprint cars to run a show. Sunday night is a difficult night to race because of people working on Mondays and the NFL now playing football. Finally track size is an issue. Even in PA, some race teams are selective to racing the bigger 1/2 mile tracks that are harder on motors. There was a good point made that if there was any doubt about the number of cars that were going to show up, the promoter should have been calling guys during the week to get a sense of participation. Hopefully the Maverick series does not die because of this cancellation or poor management decisions in this the first year. I honestly think winged sprint car racing will eventually take hold in Indiana. This event is just growing pains.
It happened twice with the USAC East Coast Sprint Cars at Port Royal and Outlaw; 8 and 11 respectively with 4,000 to win. They were held because the 410s were packed at the Port and a good showing of big blocks and sportsman at Outlaw to make up for it. It's the promoters(?) decision to have them. I'm glad they did. Great show for both
Once saw an ASCS race with 12 cars. On an off week for the big local track
Thanks Justin
Sunday is a bad day to schedule any racing. Low car counts is a good reason to cancel, but let fans know a few days ahead, and make teams commit to showing up a few days ahead.
I would be okay with 10 cars at a regional series race on a Sunday. Run Qualifying , a heat race and a feature. Of course more is better but sitting at home with no racing is less fun than watching 10 Sprint cars race for 20-25 laps.
There are no race track promoters anymore-only track opperaters!! A promoter would have been on the phone all week making sure he had cars coming.The day of just throwing open the door and asssuming cars will show is over.
Winged sprints are so much more expensive than non-wing. The "weekend racer" just can't afford to run. One tumble and you're out 3 grand in wings and things. Truely sad. We raced 3 nights a week in the 80's and 90's in Southern Indiana, Bloomington, Paragon,and TriState. Good memories 😢
I think that the Maverick series should’ve tried to race, it I can understand why they made the tough decision not to race. Yes, this could sting into the future. Great news!
Myself and a friend were originally going to go to that 410 race at I-70 back in May once we saw only 8 cars showed up on Facebook we changed plans. I don’t know how many were signed up but I-70 postponed the 2nd Poweri 410 sprint race they were supposed to have in July because of I’m assuming low car count race got moved to September 28th
I remember in 2016 I drove 1700+ miles to see a race at lakeside speedway in KCK the Grant Junghans memorial race and heats were starting and the sky opened up it rained all of 10 minutes and the race was canceled and no makeup date was announced and was made up the following year. That was a tough one as the weather the following day which was a Saturday was absolutely gorgeous. USMTS was co sponsor of that event and took no responsibility for the event only blaming on Lakeside itself. These big money shows are a big hit to the tracks and any excuse to cancel is the norm these days.
I've usually attended only bigger series (WOO, IRA, All Stars) so the car count is usually 30 or better. With that understanding I expect 24 cars as a minimum. That gives you 3 heat races with 8 cars. Take the top 4 from each heat and have a small b main and run the feature, or let everyone make the main and have a slightly bigger starting grid for the feature. When you're driving 2, 3 hours spending $40 - $60 in gas, $25 for a ticket, plus adult beverage and snacks it makes for a pricey evening. I would not be happy to spend that kind of money to see 8 - 10 cars. I was entertaining going to that race. Glad I stayed home. I've been burned by THAT before and swore I'd never go back.
Was 12 modifieds on the grounds with 4-6 more comming in gates, probably not 50 fans on the grounds, we stayed around 1/2 to 45 minutes after they canceled, and not many more fans came in, it was definitely a hard decision I'm sure, and they (Spiker) gave us tow money, for our time
My guess is The action track is 1/2 miles and hard on motors. I would assume the competitors didn’t want to run on a half mile.
As a local competitor, can confirm. It's not so much that they're hard on motors, but you NEED a good motor to even have a chance and most local guys motor program isn't top notch, they're doing their best with what they've got. On a bullring, you can get away with that because it requires a competent wheelman. Frankly, the bigger the track gets the less the driver matters.
Maybe dont plan races on sundays. Id love to go but with that track being over 4hrs away on a work night, not really possible for myself. 4hrs is a common trip for myself so that isnt a problem on a friday or saturday.
i've watched 15 car shows at the grove before during nationals weekend before they started taking the week off but they normally had a good 358 field to put on a decent night. if you dont have 3 heats of cars its really an exhibition race imho.
highland rained out with no rain we got there and found out and someone said it was on facebook not every one gets facebook i was very disappointed because i do not get to go to many races
A few of the tracks here n Indy run til early October
I have been at tracks from Palmer Alaska to Elcentro California and From Sault Sainte Marie Ontario to Clewiston Florida and 8 cars has always been the accepted number of cars to make a class and run a race .
I’m a very amateur track chaser (42 tracks in 14 states) but I haven’t been to Palmer races.
Have been to twin cities raceway in Kenai and Kodiak island raceway on Kodiak Island.
Unfortunately the only 4 guys that owned stock cars on the entire island all worked at the same cannery and had to work that night.
Still had a blast😎
@@kevineakman8586 I worked on the Exxon Valdez clean up for one season . We got very little time off and could only attend one race . I envy you for being able to get to the tracks I heard so much about when I was there .
I always wanted to experience Alaska, not some cruise or fly to anchorage and take a bus to a resort, but truly experience what it was like to live in Alaska. So in early 07 I found myself unemployed and getting divorced. Went online and found a job at the dry dock in Seward. I moved via Alaska airways, landed in anchorage, bought an old ford ranger and drove to Seward. Stayed until late 2010. The stories I could tell. Quite an adventure for a farm kid from Minnesota to be wandering around the seaside mountains of Alaska. By the way, you missed a spot. If you dig down a foot or so on the rocky beaches of Elrington, LaTouche, Evans island area, there was still oil in 09.✌️
I was at a race Wednesday, July 24th, Hamilton County Speedway. 9 410 sprint cars signed in..
I dont live far from calistoga speedway or petaluma i always love the bullrings
Godspeed Lynn Paxton. You will be missed. He was a champion on the track and off.
Interesting that you begin with asking how many are enough, count up to 9 with Maverick that cancels, then also discuss a 10 car invitation race. 10 must be the magic number.
USAC Eastern sprints ran Friday night at the Outlaw Track in NY Unfortunately only 11 cars showed up but they still ran the show. Fridsy night racing is very hard for drivers that have a job. Every track is different on how they handle their programs. I feel bad for the drivers that showed up
I agree with you that it's a great potential regional Series, but I think it needs a serious rethink. Especially being a Sunday Series, with these car counts, run the races during normal track nights, i.e. Friday or Saturday nights.
Got an idea for a video should the top sprint series like the outlaws or highlimit allow in cockpit adjustments
I live in an area where there aren't a lot of sprint car shows, and almost no 410 shows, so I try to attend when they're in a reasonable distance. I would have been really annoyed to have shown up and there were only a handful of cars. That's not even enough to run a heat race. Good move on their part to cancel .
I-70 could not afford to cancel that race for many reasons. The track has struggled with not being a weekly track, way too fast for locals(little or no support class)and snake bit from the weather. My guess is the drag strip will be successful and the dirt track will sit unused. They really need to move the Silver Dollar Nationals from Hussets to I-70. Car count will immediately double.
Definitely. I will say, more to come about I-70's future (hoping its all positive).
@@ryanshowalter8918 yea I wish it was more viable bc the facility is top notch. They needed to make the track shorter with less banking so it would be more attractive to all classes/levels of cars.
I went to the Lucas/MLRA LM race two years ago and they were not lifting all the way around and overheating motors.
@@Brian-vd4mg More to come 😉
@@ryanshowalter8918 great bc I live in KC and would love to make the hour drive vs 2 I do to Lucas.
@@Brian-vd4mg If you make any of the remaining shows this year, ask for Ryan the IT guy when you get there. I will give you a mini tour
Nobody wins at events like this when this happens. Wishing them better car counts in the future.
Stick to 1/4 mile tracks if u want participation
FWIW, I got 10th place during that I-70 show...at least that's what my work envelope said post race
Newton to sponsor powri next year. 40 race schedule. $50k to win champion
Where is this story at?
People are running out of money 💰
They just had a Sprint cars at Montpelier Indiana. Had 32 none wing care for 3,000 to win
On Saturday night, not Sunday.
I mean the Trackchasing definition of a race is minimum of 2 cars but not limited to 2 cars.
24 modifieds came and 9 spirits should have ran the race
If commercials come back in, I’ll just watch somebody else. I’m not waiting for commercials.
Payout, sunday racing and dangerous. Not worth the risk in my opinion.
Sure is a slap in the promoters face
How has MSTS been doing with the addition of 410s??
They had 9 cars at their midweek show at Webster City. They had 21 this last Saturday at Harlan.
Is it just me, or has Terra Haute become a magnet for this kind of thing? Remember the Silver Crown race that was so dusty that the drivers couldn't see past the nose of their cars? There seems to be "drama" at every race. On top of that, the track is huge, which means expensive for teams even when the surface is good. Especially high downforce classes.
Sadly, you're right. They're on their second promotion team since Track Enterprises was not renewed. Big mistake there. The track and facility need major updates. Half mile racing not for everyone. We'll see how the October Silver Crown race goes. On a Sunday!
Terra Haute is not a great track for 410s. Does not have the luster as it once had plus it’s hard on equipment.
It’s a bad track to race at and many of the MOWA guys work real jobs.
another trend is using on-line advertising as your ONLY info-On-line advertising is worth exactly what you pay for it-nothing
This is a very bad look. If they were to venture into Michigan in the future, I don’t think I’d make the drive.
5 1:39
I'm gonna catch shit for saying this I wouldn't run Terre Haute. It might have had good racing decades ago but seems those days are long gone
They gotta schedule races where they're in between other series racing far away. Their promotion sucked nobody fanwise knew what was going on
Way to small cause of the wall
There’s too many of these Mickey Mouse series running. If they can’t afford to pay the purse, shut down the series
You run the race and payout instead of being a pos promoter
Just saw that Lynn Paxton passed away on the 13th I think they said. Hell of a racer, PA boy through and through, may he travel faster still, through the heavens.
I'm wondering if we're reaching the saturation point of sprint shows. Sundays shows from years gone by worked because they were in some cases in the only game in town. Today, especially with the NFL in its second week of the new season. Was this race doomed from the start ?