INDIANAPOLIS – Another Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals is in the books, closing the lid on another extraordinary event. This race earns its reputation for far more than the on-track action.
If an interested but only mildly informed visitor was deposited in the middle of the expansive pit area at Tulsa’s Expo Center, they would be amazed. One look might convince a guest that this was the healthiest form of motorsports in the nation. Why would one think otherwise? On hand were 365 entries and it was clear that these were not cobbled together pieces.
The sheer number of cars was staggering, but what is truly mind-numbing is just how much the quality of the equipment has improved at this annual event. Sure, about 15 to 20 drivers have a legitimate chance to win. These are the teams that have everything needed — the best equipment, a quality crew and a top driver. Among those not in contention during the week are many who will find victory lane somewhere during the upcoming season.
As great as this all sounds, the prevailing question that haunts me year after year focuses on the future. No matter how many people love the Chili Bowl, midget racing is still a relatively difficult sell to the public.
There are big events that draw a nice crowd. The Turkey Night Grand Prix has been well supported, particularly since the race was moved from Thanksgiving night. The BC39 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is well attended and the midgets are a part of the popular 4-Crown Nationals at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway. But no matter how much some fans love midgets, they have to face facts. There is no marquee event for midget racing like the Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal and other significant winged sprint car racing events.
When considering the future, we must start with the basics. The return on investment in this race car isn’t worth talking about. To stick with it at the national level, one had better have a big sponsor or deep pockets. Preferably both. Old timers can grab their chest and scream in protest, but if it isn’t for the willingness of some to fork out serious cash for a top ride a bunch of the best midget teams would not exist. For those who have the means to secure a seat for a loved one or themselves, it may be a wise investment when considering the cost of doing it on your own.
As I have noted many times in this column, you can peruse the pages of the classic racing magazine Speed Age and concerns about the longevity of midget racing were voiced during the 1950s. OK, we have survived. Some groups have managed this by changing their business plan, which generally means trying to curb the midget engine arms race. That is not going to be the blueprint adopted by those who view themselves as national series.
In a frankly brilliant press release, fans learned that the Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car Series was going to fade away. It is a different story on the midget side of the ledger. The Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series, which is operated by World Racing Group, has planned a 34-race schedule with stops in 10 states. That is a major increase from last season.
USAC has the same number of races on its slate with plans to visit nine states. It is a whole new ballgame.
Savvy fans quickly realized there were relatively few conflicts between the two schedules. Many rejoiced at this news. However, questions remain. How many midget teams are prepared to run 50 races? Not a lot. This is beyond the limits of even some of the stronger teams.
If one plans to rely on purse money alone, one might consider staying at the shop. It isn’t sustainable. I’m not silly. I realize most of the hardcore teams know full well that ending the season in the black based on the money brought in at the race track is a crack-pipe dream.
Each squad is driven by its own unique motivation – and that’s fine. It’s a free country. If one is equipped to lose money, can write it off or has a benefactor of some sort to backfill the red ink, hit the road and keep racing. If not, the shop door will be closed in short order.
Still, many seem to think the easy solution is to raise the purses. Good luck. High-dollar sprint car and late model races happen because the demand is there. This coming year fans are going to plop down serious cash to see a $1 million-to-win sprint car race. Would the rush to buy a ticket be the same if this was a midget race?
I love midget racing and think it is a great product, but I seriously doubt it. In the end, a packed house at Wayne City, Ill., or Action Track USA is not the same as a capacity crowd at Eldora, Knoxville Raceway or Port Royal Speedway.
The sprint car world is clearly Balkanized, too. There are many groups and varieties of cars. However, this is manageable when you have enough cars and fans to go around. How many of the midgets we just enjoyed at the Chili Bowl sleep all summer long? Far too many. How many fans join them?
So when it comes to midget racing this season, where will the teams and fans go? When it comes down to hand-to-hand combat between Xtreme and USAC, some teams will likely elect to support only one series, while others will undoubtedly pick and choose from both schedules.
This all may work out and make the sport stronger. If the result is dwindling car counts per event and uncertainty among fans and promoters on what can be expected each night, midget racing may be speeding to the edge of a steep cliff.
