TERRE HAUTE — Veteran short track racer Kenny Carmichael will be among the first to acknowledge that the UMP modifieds suffer from a lack of identity at the Terre Haute Action Track.
He will also quickly attest that the open-wheel machines will more than likely present the most competitive racing seen at the local half-mile clay oval this season when they appear here Friday night.
That’s when Carmichael and the UMP contingent will get the only opportunity of the year to display their talents and competitiveness at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds.
“If they have the race track as well prepared for the modifieds as they have had for the sprint cars there’s a good chance you will see three to four wide racing,” forecasts Carmichael.
“You will see a whole lot closer racing than the sprints. Just as good if not better racing than the sprints,” predicts the North Terre Haute racer.
Carmichael concedes the mods could be a hard sale for the local promoters. The closed cockpit cars have been the subject of much unfair criticism in the past.
Serving as the support act for previous events here, the mods have often been shortchanged by promoters who have cut their track time short or canceled it all together. This despite the drivers’ and crews’ loyalty to the track and fans, and the fact that the modifieds have presented some excellent racing over the years.
As a driver who has had his share of success in both the sprints and mods, Carmichael is well qualified to speak on the caliber of racing offered by the modifieds.
Many misconceptions exist about the mods such as being easier to drive and more affordable to race than their more recognized sprint counterparts.
He’s quick to dispel such thoughts on both fronts.
As a three-time sprint car track champion, Carmichael says the mods can be a handful to drive on any given night.
“They are by nature an ill-handling race car because of the horsepower to tire size ratio. You’re on the edge the whole time you’re in one. It’s more seat-of-the pants racing than in a sprint car,” offered the well-respected racer.
“Sprint cars are designed to go in circles. Modifieds you have to make go in a circle. They are overpowered for what you’re running with. That’s the challenge of running the modifieds,” he explained.
Carmichael is expected to drive one of two cars entered by local owner Albert Gardner. He says running the modifieds can make one an all-around better race car driver.
He cites area USAC racer Shane Cottle, who has sharpened his skills as a racer after time spent in the modifieds.
“Shane started out in the sprints then went to the modifieds,” Cottle said. “He’s back in the sprints and is a better sprint car driver today because of the time he spent in mods.”
A winner of over 25 modified features Carmichael says the underrated mods are designed for closer racing.
“The mods are open wheel but you will see plenty of wheel banging. That’s something that you don’t want to do in a sprint car,” he added.
The cost factors to go modified racing is much the same as it is for the sprints. If you want to field a competitive modified expect to shell out $10,000 to $15,000 for an engine and nearly the same for a rolling chassis.
One advantage for potential modified car owners is that the mods have a uniform set of rules that make them eligible to race at almost any race track in the country.
Friday’s card is the final stop on the Wolfpack Challenge circuit, a series that has produced eight different winners in the nine races run thus far.
Series founder Tim Wolfe says fans can expect to see some of the most competitive racing of the season at THAT.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t see three and four abreast racing. The racing is that competitive these days. It ought to be a great show,” offered Wolfe.
n Indy bound — Officials at Action City Dragway USA have announced the traveling roster that will compete in the Summit ET Bracket Racing Series Division 3 runoffs at O’Reilly Raceway Park this weekend.
Super Pro Team members include Jake Orman, Lance Stillwell, Tommy Smith, Bob Prose, Tony Virgillio, Jeff Joslin, Dustin Brenton, Cory Brenton, Justin Lourash, Mike Lourash, Paul Thompson and Steven Thompson.
Pro class will be represented by Thad Mann, Ron Seals, Rick Seals, Gary Arola, Mike Tewell, Rob Robinson, Gary Hoggatt, Ron (Tony) Price, Earl Gordon and Troy Mann.
In Sportsman, Jeff Lathrop, Chad Eaton, Bill Hamstra, Rusty Spencer, Jeff Vaughn, Dave Vaughn, Tony Virgillio, Adam Price and Bill Lewis will carry the local colors.
Brad Miles will compete in Super Pro Motorcycle and Austin Tewell and Zack Gosnell in the High School Division.
Joe Buckles can be reached at jbuckles4@verizon.net.
Auto Racing
TRACKSIDE: Competitive racing on tap with UMP modifieds
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. -
Carpenter arrives as Indy 500 threat
And the crowd went wild.
Not only did Ed Carpenter win the pole for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500, he is the hometown son. Carpenter, the stepson of Tony George, completed his rookie orientation in 2004 and has spent the last several years, proving he deserved to be the IZOD IndyCar Series. There is no questioning his credentials now. -
Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole
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Hurtubise, Sumar races on Action Track slate this weekend
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One USAC championship will be decided and the spread in the other division could widen or tighten up as a result of the races.
The Jim Hurtubise Classic for sprint cars is today. Only 26 points separate three drivers in the point totals. -
TRACKSIDE: Chase Stockon hopes momentum stays with him in Terre Haute
Momentum, an element that can be as elusive to a race driver as that perfect setup, can spell the difference in winning or running at the rear of the pack.
It’s a force difficult to achieve and maybe even harder to maintain. One learns quickly to make the most of the opportunity when it comes his way.
It’s something Chase Stockon will carry with him coming into today’s Jim Hurtubise Classic at the Terre Haute Action Track.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rain forces postponement of Jim Hurtubise Classic
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TRACKSIDE: Stockon takes giant step forward in USAC
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JJ joins hero Mears among four-time winners of Brickyard
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Hamlin wins Brickyard 400 pole position
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Keselowski gives Penske first stock-car win at IMS
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Bordais, Popow take checkered flag after downpour
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TRACKSIDE: Indiana Sprint Week rises above heat, rain, poor economy
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Red-hot Hunter-Reay goes for fourth straight at Edmonton
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Clayton wins at Don Smith Classic
They call Daron Clayton, “The Modern Day Cowboy.”
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The King of Speed
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Jones occupies driver’s seat: Six-time THAT winner leads Sprint Week series
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TRACKSIDE: Late models may have no long-term future in Indiana
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Kenny Wallace realizes Action Track dream
Kenny Wallace won the UMP modified feature, leading flag-to-flag for the victory on Thursday night at the Terre Haute Action Track.
Wallace, a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver from 1990-2008, couldn’t have more thrilled to become part of a racing revival at the venerable dirt oval. -
TRACKSIDE: Summer heat has made this ‘The Hell Tour’
It is fittingly billed as “The Hell Tour” for many of the Midwest’s leading late model stock car drivers and their crews.
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Franchitti mired in post-Indy 500 slump
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TRACKSIDE: Retired driver LaJoie spreads the word of safety
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Trackside: Stanbrough on track at midseason
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Atchison, Virgilio win weekend races at Crossroads Dragway
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TRACKSIDE: Clauson bucks the IndyCar trend
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