The Future

Throughout the course of 2007, I’ve been involved in several discussions regarding the future of sprint cars at Eagle Raceway. It would seem the prevailing opinion is Eagle might end their weekly sprint series. It’s all talk, but it would seem that it is at least a possibility.

So what happens if Eagle Raceway ends weekly 360 sprint car racing? What will become of all those sick, twisted sprint car junkies like me?

If you find yourself panicking at the thought of no more sprints at Eagle, fear not; Oval Operations is on the case!

Your salvation lies within the ASCS Midwest series. How could they do it? First, I don't think Eagle will totally abandon sprint car racing. Just because they're not running weekly, doesn't mean they'll never host special events. Instead of running every week at Eagle, perhaps the ASCS runs there five times during the course of a season.

Add to that running at other ASCS-friendly, venues such as Junction Motor Speedway and I-80 Speedway. If enough dates could be secured among those three venues alone, an open wheel fanatic could get a steady fix of racing throughout the summer.

However, I would propose the ASCS do more. Why not venture out to some of the other tracks in Nebraska? Cities like North Platte, Doniphan, Red Cloud, and Alliance to name a few. I realize this was done before. Some years back the Nebraska Sprint Car Association ran at many of the tracks mentioned and more.

The problems the NSCA ran into were the fact that too many of the tracks they raced were not used to running a sprint car program. Many of the shows were not well run, and often times the tracks were not prepared with sprint cars in mind.

Also, low car counts plagued not only the NSCA, but the Eagle Sprint Touring Series.

The ASCS could avoid these problems by taking more of an active role in not only running the shows at some of the smaller venues, but also require some input in how the tracks are prepared.

The problem of low car counts for the NSCA and ESTS would be alleviated because the teams would no longer have to choose to run a tour, or Eagle weekly. There would only be one option. Couple those factors with a solid point fund, and good purses, it might make the teams a little more willing to travel.

In addition the ASCS could (and should even now) spend more time and resources on promoting their shows. Bring a small staff of officials to run the program and oversee track prep, as well as media people to do PA and help promote the events locally.

In essence the ASCS Midwest would be sort of structured like the World of Outlaws, only running all of their shows within Nebraska, Northern Kansas, Western Iowa, and South Dakota.

Sure, it would probably cost the ASCS more money to do this. However those costs could be offset with perhaps charging a few dollars more at the gate. The shows after would be billed as special events. Also, the ASCS could always find more sponsorship to go along with their current partners.

Perhaps the only drawback would be the travel time some of the teams would have to go through, but with many of the shows close to home; it might not be as expensive as towing to Knoxville every Saturday.

I've tried to keep this little fantasy within as much reason as possible. If something like this could be organized, I think sprint car racing would have a bright future in Nebraska.

Just something to think about.