[flagboy55]

If you search what made the dinosaur extinct, you’ll find a theory about an asteroid hitting the earth as a possible cause to their elimination. Thankfully, I haven’t heard anything about an asteroid heading our way anytime soon, but it’s starting to look like half mile tracks could be going the way of the Triceratops. I saw it mentioned before last night, but if you watched the High Limit show from I-70 you heard about the plan’s to shorten yet another big track. A couple other recent occurrence’s of this nature that come to mind is Hartford Michigan, and Joliet Illinois, two big tracks that were cut down to smaller ovals. I’m old enough to remember when the United States Auto Club only ran half miles or bigger. I don’t remember exactly when they started running smaller tracks, but I thought it was a cool change of pace on the bullrings, a different style of racing. But now I find myself longing for the big tracks again after watching mostly something smaller than a half for a long time now. I’m not saying I have anything against the smaller tracks, I love ‘em, just miss that speed sometimes. I know everyone has excuses why we can’t run a big track, but in actuality, motor’s blow and people crash on all size race tracks. And racing ain’t cheap, regardless. I don’t know about you, but unlike T-Rex, I’m going to miss the big tracks if they leave

[Charles Nungester]

Don't know where I read it or seen it. Someone said USAC used to not run under half miles and the 305 limit was more than adequate because you didn't need a giant gear to get off the corner and didn't turn 9000 save maybe at the end of the straights. Used to hear former car owners that said regular trips to the junkyard kept them in motors. they'd just swap the cam intake and headers.

Me, I like speed. Nothing like a sprint car breathing fire. That short track slick stuff gets old real quick. I don't mind it if theres more than one groove. But too often it's all catfish.

[openwheelfan1]

I went back in history and picked a year where USAC only raced on 1/2 mile or longer tracks. I randomly picked 1979 because that was what came up when I opened the page. In that year USAC Sprint cars ran 39 points races, 20 of which were on dirt. Those 20 races were contested on 7 tracks: THAT, Eldora, Sharon (OH) Speedway, US 131 Speedway in Martin MI, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Reading PA, and New Bremen OH. Of those 7 tracks, only 3 remain in operation, THAT, Eldora And Sharon, OH., and USAC races on two of those.

Fast forward to today…A quick internet search listed no 1/2 mile dirt tracks CURRENTLY operating in IL, 1 in KY (Florence) none in MI and 3 in OH, Millstream, Eldora and Sharon, and honestly, I’m not sure Sharon is still a 1/2 mile. There just aren’t that many 1/2 mile dirt tracks operating in the Midwest anymore.

[ThrowbackRacingTeam]

Kyle Larson is afraid of half miles so if you follow his low limit series he’ll try to indoctrinate you into wings and small tracks. I for one have a brain and can obviously see non-wing at Terre Haute and the other dinosaur tracks completely blow away his stupid series that the sheep follow. Please don’t make me take the L out of your name and join the enlightened lol.

[oppweld]

Originally Posted by openwheelfan1 I went back in history and picked a year where USAC only raced on 1/2 mile or longer tracks. I randomly picked 1979 because that was what came up when I opened the page. In that year USAC Sprint cars ran 39 points races, 20 of which were on dirt. Those 20 races were contested on 7 tracks: THAT, Eldora, Sharon (OH) Speedway, US 131 Speedway in Martin MI, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Reading PA, and New Bremen OH. Of those 7 tracks, only 3 remain in operation, THAT, Eldora And Sharon, OH., and USAC races on two of those. Fast forward to today…A quick internet search listed no 1/2 mile dirt tracks CURRENTLY operating in IL, 1 in KY (Florence) none in MI and 3 in OH, Millstream, Eldora and Sharon, and honestly, I’m not sure Sharon is still a 1/2 mile. There just aren’t that many 1/2 mile dirt tracks operating in the Midwest anymore.

Illinois does have one Knoxville but the only race scheduled this year rained out and the future is shakey. Iowa has 4 half miles and Kansas has 2 great ones that are currently on the Silver Crown schedule.

[Charles Nungester]

Originally Posted by openwheelfan1 I went back in history and picked a year where USAC only raced on 1/2 mile or longer tracks. I randomly picked 1979 because that was what came up when I opened the page. In that year USAC Sprint cars ran 39 points races, 20 of which were on dirt. Those 20 races were contested on 7 tracks: THAT, Eldora, Sharon (OH) Speedway, US 131 Speedway in Martin MI, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Reading PA, and New Bremen OH. Of those 7 tracks, only 3 remain in operation, THAT, Eldora And Sharon, OH., and USAC races on two of those. Fast forward to today…A quick internet search listed no 1/2 mile dirt tracks CURRENTLY operating in IL, 1 in KY (Florence) none in MI and 3 in OH, Millstream, Eldora and Sharon, and honestly, I’m not sure Sharon is still a 1/2 mile. There just aren’t that many 1/2 mile dirt tracks operating in the Midwest anymore.

Portsmouth is Eldora Sized. Waynesfield is 3/8. Atomic 3/8th. Not sure what wayne county is. But Ohio's got a few bigger tracks.

[TommyTipover]

Originally Posted by openwheelfan1 I went back in history and picked a year where USAC only raced on 1/2 mile or longer tracks. I randomly picked 1979 because that was what came up when I opened the page. In that year USAC Sprint cars ran 39 points races, 20 of which were on dirt. Those 20 races were contested on 7 tracks: THAT, Eldora, Sharon (OH) Speedway, US 131 Speedway in Martin MI, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Reading PA, and New Bremen OH. Of those 7 tracks, only 3 remain in operation, THAT, Eldora And Sharon, OH., and USAC races on two of those. Fast forward to today…A quick internet search listed no 1/2 mile dirt tracks CURRENTLY operating in IL, 1 in KY (Florence) none in MI and 3 in OH, Millstream, Eldora and Sharon, and honestly, I’m not sure Sharon is still a 1/2 mile. There just aren’t that many 1/2 mile dirt tracks operating in the Midwest anymore.

Slight correction, when Sheldon Kinser won the USAC Sprint car race at Sharon in 1979 the track was still paved.