Almost there...

One more day at the Journal Star and then I'm off to Knoxville for another race weekend. This time we'll be treated to a rare showing of midgets at the Knoxville Raceway.

Participating this year is a regular eye chart of sanctioning bodies including USAC, ARDC, BMARA, POWRi, RMMA, and SMRS. Do you know what each one of those stands for? If so, you're a true racing nerd and I applaud you.

It looks like all of the usual suspects will be competing in the midget ranks and perhaps a few surprise entries. One of which is Trish Dover from Springfield, NE. It's a summer of firsts for Trish. A week after running her first midget show at Knoxville, she'll run her first 360 sprint show at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool, NE on Friday, June 29th. The midgets on their own would make for a great weekend of racing but we'll also have Knoxville's weekly 360 and 410 shows as well. If you're a fan of open wheel racing, Iowa is the place to be this weekend.

And, as if the two day Knoxville show wasn't enough, the Indy Racing League will hold its first event at the Iowa Speedway. It's a perfect way to end the weekend. Midgets, winged 360 and 410 sprints, and IndyCars. That's what I call diversity!

Also…

-After Don Droud Jr. ran the Lovegrove 44 Cow Car last weekend, you’ll see Larry Pinegar II drive the cow on Saturday. Jr. will run for Lovegrove again, but will be in Knoxville this weekend running a midget.-Will sprint car racing in Nebraska become a traveling sport? It could certainly evolve into one. It remains to be seen if Eagle will stick with their weekly show as is, or host sprints on a special event only basis.

With the ASCS gaining momentum, and more teams willing to travel, I could see the potential for that. However it’s purely speculation on my part at this time. Some years ago the NSCA made a go of it, but eventually came back to Eagle. Time will tell on that one.

-One sure thing is the ASCS must be careful with what nights they schedule to race. The ASCS National vs. Midwest event at Crawford Co. Speedway in Denison, IA only drew 18 sprinters. One has to wonder why they would schedule on the same night that Knoxville is running their weekly program, with the Outlaws no less. To the West Eagle was running their weekly show.

That was the first of three Saturday night shows the ASCS has planned to run. The ASCS National will visit Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City on July 7th. Eagle Raceway will host a Midwest vs. Northern Plains show on July 21st.

-The end of June sort of marks the half-way point of the season for me. It’s been great so far. We’re certainly living and racing in interesting times in Eastern Nebraska.

-I’m getting very excited for the ASCS show at Junction Motor Speedway on Friday, June 29th. Moses Motor Company from York, NE is sponsoring the show that night. It just so happens I know the owner, and will be helping out with promotions during the event. I hope to see a healthy crowd that night and we’re tying our best to spread the word. I may mention it a time or two on here in the next week.

-If you travel to Knoxville for the midget show, be sure and stop by the NOS Energy Drink tent located by the ticket office. Trust me, you won’t miss seeing it! The NOS Girls will make sure you get a free sample and we might hook you up with some cool swag.

-Did I mention that JMS show on Friday, June 29th yet?