INDIANAPOLIS — Historians love identifying seminal events that change the course of history or serve as defining moments in the life of an individual or institution.
Because the long-term impact of an experience is never fully known in advance, we cannot yet judge if a single weekend at a Kansas fairgrounds will have a lasting impact on our sport. Nonetheless, for now some observers believe it to be true.
Many short-track, open-wheel fans have seen the highlights of the USAC Silver Crown race at the Belleville High Banks. By any standard what transpired on May 20 will long be remembered by those who were present as one of the most thrilling tilts in the history of this series.
The battle between Justin Grant and Brady Bacon had fans screaming at the legendary half-mile track, officials nearly sick with anxiety and North Central Kansas Free Fair board members grinning from ear to ear. The contest was decided as Grant soared toward the frontstretch fence in full send mode, with Bacon emerging unscathed.
In most cases an ending like this results in hard feelings. Not here. Grant made a move that looked to have success written all over it. For his part, Bacon seemed pinned on the outside of what qualifies as the fourth turn on this circular track, as Grant rocketed to the bottom. They met just shy of the start-finish line. Grant admitted he doubted Bacon would come off the turn as hard as he did while in the aftermath Bacon seemed equally stunned. As Grant exited his car with assistance from fellow racer Jerry Coons Jr., the crowd erupted.
If this test of wills had raged all the way to the checkered flag, the grandstands would have been dismantled. Long after the pits emptied, patrons at a nearby truck stop were abuzz over what had unfolded.
Just below the surface there were so many storylines. After the opening night of racing, USAC’s Kirk Spridgeon hit the gas a bit too quickly on the south edge of town resulting in a friendly warning from the local constable. Someone jokingly noted as the red lights flashed, “I hope he doesn’t think you’re Levi Jones.”
The pun referenced the decision made by Jones and USAC brass to pull the midgets off the vaunted half-mile track following the 2017 Midget Nationals, effectively ending one of the marquee events in midget racing. The reason for this move was both understandable and complex. The details need not be recounted here, but it should be noted there are a wide range of opinions on the matter.
On this very weekend and the Sunday that followed, prominent USAC participants expressed a desire to bring the midgets back to the big track. The sentiment of the crowd was also clear. After his Saturday night victory on the smaller, infield oval, Zach Daum steered his midget to the big half-mile and took a victory lap. The crowd, understanding the message, immediately applauded.
If only it were that simple. Again, there are so many variables at hand that it would take more space than allotted to cover them. This I can share. As Grant and Bacon were duking it out, some USAC officials were visibly suffering. Even the irrepressible Thomas Meseraull later admitted he was apprehensive watching the Silver Crown race, noting “those were my friends out there.”
Anxiety aside, the overwhelming feeling when the final lap had turned was one of elation. For years, the Belleville Midget Nationals (a slot now held by 305 sprint cars) was staged during the annual fair. To use an old racing term, this USAC appearance was a “still date.” Even without the fair as an enticement, the fans came out, particularly on Saturday.
Simply put, by any measure, this weekend was a home run. Informal discussions focused on steps to improve the interior track, and plans were already in motion for the big cars to return. One can only imagine that the 2024 event will be even larger.
Thus far, I have described a successful race date. That alone is not noteworthy. Yet, this was different. The Silver Crown race was an event sanctioned by one of the leading racing organizations in America on the high-banked track. This is important. When USAC walked away from the annual Midget Nationals the implications were grave. Race tracks and outside group’s part ways every year. Sometimes things just do not work out and everyone moves on.
In the case of the Belleville High Banks, matters were far more complicated. The question loomed. Who was going to be willing to race on this high-speed and unique oval? This was the dilemma the fair board faced. As one prominent member noted several years ago, the oft-made suggestion that they just focus on the infield track was not the solution. In his words what they would be left with was just an ordinary race track in the middle of Kansas. Hence, the Belleville High Banks would be dead.
Let us be clear. Losing the Belleville High Banks would be a tragedy. I fully admit I am 100 percent prejudiced on this matter. I am a proud native of Kansas. To me a trip to Belleville is an immersive experience — particularly at fair time.
I mean this in the most positive way — this is truly a trip back in time. To sit in the stands at Belleville is like going to any sporting venue in America that has a deep history. When I sit there, I think of Bobby Grim, the drivers of the Big Car Racing Ass’n, the IMCA and Eddie Jackson, Sleepy Tripp, Stan Fox and others who gritted their teeth in a midget. Those memories come in waves.
To lose this race track would be a gut punch. Admittedly that may never have been on the table. However, it felt like there were times we were on the edge of the cliff and staring at the water below.
So why was the thrilling battle between Grant and Bacon more than a simple race? Why could this truly be a pivotal moment in racing history?
What I felt in my heart, I saw etched on the faces of local fans and fair board members. This one weekend may have saved the Belleville High Banks. At the very least it put one of this nation’s most historic venues back on the radar.
For this, we should all be thankful.
This story appeared in the June 28, 2023 edition of the SPEED SPORT Insider.
