INDIANAPOLIS —
With the highly anticipated USAC Indiana Sprint Week sprint card on tap at the Terre Haute Action Track tonight and the Tony Hulman/Don Smith Classic and a host of events leading up to the Brickyard 400 looming on the horizon, it would appear that it’s the best of times for Wabash Valley racing buffs.
After all, it doesn’t get much better than USAC sprint-car racing at the Action Track, and NASCAR has long been billed as the hottest ticket in racing.
Behind the scenes, however, the picture doesn’t appear quite as rosy as many would like us to believe. A pair of calls over the past couple days has rightfully drawn the ire of even the most open-minded race fan.
First there was the ill-timed dust debacle of the Sumar Classic at the Action Track then less than 72 hours later fans learned they would be losing a a pair of their most popular short track events in 2012.
The announcement that the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck series events would be leaving Lucas Oil Raceway after this year has ruffled the feathers of long-time supporters of the two events.
A number of fans are wondering out loud whether the decision makers of the sport are putting their own self interests ahead of those of the paying public.
The calls, whether that involving the Sumar Classic or the Brickyard, come at a time when ticket sales for the 400 are sagging and the fortunes of the Sumar are questionable.
The attempt to revive daytime racing at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds, while legimate, couldn’t have been a bigger disappointment.
Now the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NASCAR are trying to boost sagging Brickyard 400 tickets sales by dangling sports cars and two stock cars races on the same weekend at Indianapolis in 2012 — this coming at the expense of two popular events at Lucas Oil Raceway.
From a competitive standpoint, the Brickyard 400 has struggled in its 17 years to meet the lofty expectations of a dwindling fan base.
Speedway and NASCAR officials offered little consolation to those feeling the disappointment of losing their popular short events at LOR, where the stocks and trucks have had a popular 30-year run.
The changes came with an announcement at Speedway’s yard of bricks from Speedway CEO Jeff Belskus and NASCAR president Mike Helton. Both spoke highly of the working relationship between the IMS and NASCAR.
They see “Super Weekend at the Brickyard” as a way to strengthen their ties and build for the future.
“I think it speaks to the commitment that NASCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway have with each other to better the future of motorsports, to create a world-class event,” Helton said.
“Everyone wants to grow and we’re no different. NASCAR has done a lot of things in the past to assure the future of the sport. Today is a milestone.”
“It’s important for our fans, it’s important for us. We know our fans like different forms of racing. We’re pleased to host it here,” Belskus said.
A few miles to the west, there was a more solemn feel to the day.
Those in charge at LOR were prepared for the bad news. It had been rumored for quite some time.
At Clermont, several members of the media was greeted by LOR senior communication director Scott Smith, who arranged an impromptu interview with track GM Wes Collier.
Collier did his best to hide his disappoinment.
“Unfortunately, we don’t know what the future holds. At the end of the day, it came down to a business decision between NASCAR and IMS. Clearly we’re disappointed,” voiced Collier.
“We’ve got one of the best short-track facilites in the country. We’re going to continue to put on great events out there. We’ve had a lot of different series contact us. We’ve got to reevaluate what we want to do and move on.”
A plus to the announcement was that road racing in the form of the Grand Am series would be added to the 2012 IMS racing calendar.
Valley road-racing fans, who now must travel at great lengths to view their favorite form of racing, will have a first-class event in their own back yard. It will be a welcomed addition to the racing scene.
• ISW on tap — If results from the opening three rounds of this year’s USAC Indiana Sprint Weeks are any indication of what fans can expect to see at the Fairgrounds tonight, the twice-delayed season opener at the Action Track should be well worth the wait.
Three different winners have emerged thus far in ISW. Dave Darland, Robert Ballou and Hunter Schuerenberg have all made it to victory circle.
Series results haven’t been as encouraging for the Valley’s only full-time USAC entrant. West Terre Haute’s Blake Fitzpatrick has struggled in his first three races.
A first-lap crash in the semi-feature at Gas City resulted in a DNS in series opener. The following night at Kokomo, Blake won his heat and had to settle for a 16th-place showing in the main. At Lawrenceburg, it was an early departure in the feature.
The likable driver hopes to turn around what has been a slow start in 2011.
“With the exception of my win in the KISS race at Kokomo and then Braylon [younger brother] and I’s one-two finish at Kokomo, it’s not been the year we hoped for. It’s something as a race driver we all go through. We look forward to getting back on a roll. There wouldn’t be a better place or time than at Terre Haute,” said the defending Midwest Sprint Car Series champion.
Joe Buckles can be reached at jbuckles4@frontier.com.
Sports
TRACKSIDE: Changes come up on Indiana racing scene
- Sports
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Small ball: Ciara McClain bunts to advance a teammate early in the Viking�s sectional matchup with Brown County.
-
West Vigo comes up short against 19-9 Brown County softball
West Vigo got off to a good start but Brown County finished better in Class 3A high school softball sectional semifinal action Tuesday night at Edgewood.
The Eagles bested the Vikings 7-5 and will meet South Vermillion, a 12-7 winner over Owen Valley, for the sectional championship on Thursday starting at 6 p.m.
-
Valley baseball teams have been keeping busy heading into sectionals
When high school baseball sectionals begin around the Wabash Valley today, one complaint that’s not expected to be heard from any coach is that his team has had too much time off.
-
Northview powers way past Terre Haute South in sectional semifinal
Northview unleashed power rarely seen in high school girls softball Tuesday night to eliminate Terre Haute South 8-1 in the Class 4A Sectional at Martinsville High School.
The Knights hit three home runs in an eight-run third inning to reach the championship game. -
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. -
Terre Haute North dominates field at regional
Keirra Porter took first place in two individual events and helped Terre Haute North win one of its relays as the Patriots captured the Evansville Central Regional team championship in girls high school track and field Tuesday night.
-
Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
-
PREP ROUNDUP: South tennis cruises into regional final
Terre Haute South didn’t lose a game en route to blanking Seeger 5-0 in girls high school tennis Tuesday to advance to today’s championship match against Crawfordsville in the Greencastle Regional.
-
Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
South Vermillion’s Tim Terry is the longest tenured coach in Wabash Valley high school baseball as his Wildcats are set to begin sectional play Thursday against Owen Valley.
But on the Yankees, a 35-and-over team in the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League, Terry is “just a youngster” if you ask Larry Roesch, his 68-year-old teammate on the Volkers Group Yankees. -
ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
When Indiana State starting pitcher Sean Manaea slumped on the mound in obvious pain after he took his warm-up pitches, red flags raised for ISU’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament hopes.
-
West Vigo softball holds off nemesis Edgewood in softball sectional
Ice cream was enough of a reward Monday night after the West Vigo Vikings beat eight-time defending champion Edgewood 6-2 in extra innings in the opening game of the Class 3A softball sectional at Edgewood High School. But that’s not what Vikings want.
-
West Vigo comes up short against 19-9 Brown County softball
- Local Interest
-
Coach: Tim Terry is the South Vermillion baseball coach and plays in the senior league on Sunday afternoons.
-
Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
South Vermillion’s Tim Terry is the longest tenured coach in Wabash Valley high school baseball as his Wildcats are set to begin sectional play Thursday against Owen Valley.
But on the Yankees, a 35-and-over team in the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League, Terry is “just a youngster” if you ask Larry Roesch, his 68-year-old teammate on the Volkers Group Yankees. -
Softball sectionals up for grabs
All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.
-
Indiana State baseball series canceled
Heavy rain from Thursday through Saturday has forced Indiana State and Tennessee Martin to cancel their three-game weekend baseball series in northwest Tennessee.
-
METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman baseball to play DePauw on Thursday after Tuesday's rain
The Rose-Hulman baseball team has rescheduled its non-conference game with DePauw to Thursday night.
The start time remains 7 p.m. for the single nine-inning game that was originally scheduled for today. Tuesday’s scheduled Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference game at Anderson was moved to Sunday because of rain. -
Vigo County Youth Soccer Association to host Indiana Soccer Cup Games
The Vigo County Youth Soccer Association will welcome more than 7,000 people to its Springhill Drive facility through two tournaments in the next five weeks.
-
Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
- High School
-
-
West Vigo comes up short against 19-9 Brown County softball
West Vigo got off to a good start but Brown County finished better in Class 3A high school softball sectional semifinal action Tuesday night at Edgewood.
The Eagles bested the Vikings 7-5 and will meet South Vermillion, a 12-7 winner over Owen Valley, for the sectional championship on Thursday starting at 6 p.m.
- Valley baseball teams have been keeping busy heading into sectionals
- Northview powers way past Terre Haute South in sectional semifinal
- Terre Haute North dominates field at regional
- PREP ROUNDUP: South tennis cruises into regional final
-
- College
-
-
Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
-
ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
When Indiana State starting pitcher Sean Manaea slumped on the mound in obvious pain after he took his warm-up pitches, red flags raised for ISU’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament hopes.
-
ISU baseball hoping Manaea can get its MVC Tournament moving in right direction
Indiana State’s baseball team has been waiting all season for its stars to align.
But this is the 2013 Sycamores, after all, and after a season in which seemingly little has gone right, it appears its stars will remain crossed at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. -
ISU track sending record 22 to postseason
On the heels of their thrilling double victory at the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships both the Indiana State men and women moved up in the national rankings which were released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
-
ISU's athletic treasure trove
Think of every championship that Indiana State has won in each of its sports, past and present. Think of every tournament — postseason or regular season — which the Sycamores have claimed as their own.
-
Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
- Sports Columns
-
-
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. - Shooters compete to fight cancer
- TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
- TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
- TRACKSIDE: Terre Haute's Carmichael enjoying strong spring in modifieds, stocks
-
TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
- Pro Sports
-
-
Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. - Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
- Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
- Colts introduce free-agent signees
- Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
-
Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Terre Haute Rex
-
Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)
-
2012 an up, down season for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex went through plenty of trials and tribulations during the summer of 2012.
The team got off to a sluggish start to settle for third place during the first half of the Prospect League race, but manager Brian Dorsett rallied the troops to a second-half title. - Metro Roundup: Dorsett, Rex players honored in Prospect League postseason awards
- Rex out of playoffs
- Rex mix, match their way to win
- Rex turn eye to Prospect playoffs
-
2012 an up, down season for Rex
- Colts
-
-
Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
- Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
- Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Werner at top of game
- Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
-
Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
- Auto Racing
-
-
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
- Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole
- TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
- TRACKSIDE: Tough to rise from sprint-car racing, especially in challenging financial times
-
TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Coach's quick call saves Moore football team
Sergio Garcia issues an apology to Tiger Woods
Sergio Garcia makes insensitive remark about Tiger Woods
Athletes come to aid of Oklahoma tornado victims
Tiger Woods on his relationship with Sergio Garcia
NBA Draft: Top 5 Prospects
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
Race Preview: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Behind the Seams: Big Spenders are Busts
Red Wings take 2-1 series lead
McReynolds: Johnson Coca-Cola 600 favorite?
McReynolds: 48 Team primed for Chase
Myers: 'We still need to do some evaluating as to what exactly we need'
Weekend Recruiting Wrap
Heat vs. Pacers: Playoff grudge match
Triple Play: Miguel Cabrera, Giants, and Rays
Globe 10.0: Can the Bruins young defensemen keep playing well?
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
