ANDERSON, Ind. —
It was very long ago that racing fans huddled around television sets tuned to “Thursday Night Thunder” to watch the USAC sprint cars compete on paved ovals in Indiana.
Racing was telecast from Winchester, Salem and Lucas Oil Raceway to watch the thunder and lightning division of USAC to compete in wheel to wheel action.
After an attempt to pump some life into the division with a separate pavement sprint car schedule, USAC has decided that there will be no racing on asphalt for the division.
“It’s tough to run a series on pavement with much success,” Dick Jordan with USAC said. “One-off events like the Little 500 can be successful.”
Jordan said the USAC midgets will be competing on asphalt in North Carolina, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, California and at Plymouth Speedway and Lucas Oil Raceway.
I can still remember the first time I watched the sprint cars at Anderson Speedway for the Pay Less Little 500 and my first visit to Winchester Speedway for sprint car action.
The days of non-wing sprint cars on pavement sanctioned by USAC appears to be a thing of the past. The winged sprint series will continue to visit Anderson, Winchester and Salem speedways to bring their unique brand of high-speed action to fans.
Anderson Speedway will be hosting a 100-lap non-wing sprint car feature on the lightning-fast oval on April 29 in an event sanctioned by the United States Speed Association.
The “Glen Niebel Classic” will use the same rules as the Pay Less Little 500 on May 26 and will be a good tune-up for the Little 500. I hope there is a healthy car count as teams prepare for the richest pavement sprint car race in the world.
Glen Niebel-owned cars won six Pay Less Little 500 with Bob Frey and Bentley Warren piloting the V6 yellow sprint cars. Niebel cars also finished second a total of six times.
For fans of non-wing sprint cars on pavement, circle the April 29 date. Also in action will be the Mel Kenyon Midget Series.
In other racing news: Kyle Busch won the Champion Racing Association super late-model event last Sunday in Georgia after taking the lead from Bubba Pollard with 16 laps remaining. As he did a year ago, Chase Elliott won the 150-lap crate late model event.
Brent Downey of Brownsburg finished in the top 10 on the lead lap.
u The Rolex 24 for the Grand Am cars at Daytona International Speedway turned out to be an excellent race with Sprint Cup driver AJ Allmendinger driving the final three-hour shift to bring Ohio-based Michael Shank Racing the victory. Ryan Dalziel and Felipe Nasr rounded out the top three finishers, all in cars powered by a Ford engine.
After 24 hours of racing and more than 750 laps, the top three cars all were running on the lead lap and the victory margin was under 10 seconds.
Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at 765-454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com
Sports Columns
Related Photos
-
Ken de la Bastide
Discussion
Ken de la Bastide: USAC ends sprint pavement racing
- Sports Columns
-
-
George Bremer: In with Orton, out of Luck?
There really is no offseason anymore in the National Football League.
The Indianapolis Colts haven’t played a game since Jan. 1, but look at all the headlines they’ve generated since that date. -
Quintin Harlan: If you want to honor a fallen driver just keep on racing
There are a myriad of reasons to love the Indianapolis 500. This year’s race was inundated with the emotion from the family, friends and colleagues of two-time Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon.
-
Rick Teverbaugh: Spectacle lacking on local TV
The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, on television, is a myth in its own backyard.
-
Rick Bramwell: Enjoying the fruits of spring
I will go a long way to get fresh fruits and vegetables. That usually means going to the source.
Last Friday was opening day at the strawberry patch located just west of Post Road on 38th Street. They have a big sign outside. Only a few berries were ripe, but those first ripe ones are big and juicy. -
Ken de la Bastide: Race fans set for big weekend
As a racing fan, this week in May is always at the top of my list with the running of both the Indianapolis 500 and the Pay Less Little 500 on the same weekend.
The Indianapolis 500 has long been considered “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and I would contend the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway is the “Greatest Spectacle in Short Track Racing.” -
George Bremer: Can Lind find swing in Vegas?
This was supposed to be a big week for former Highland star Adam Lind. Instead, he’s in Las Vegas trying to get his head back in the game after being shipped back to the minor leagues for the first time in four years.
-
Quintin Harlan: Series evened up, why should Pacers worry?
Before the semifinal round of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Playoffs began, the term “house money” was being thrown about by us here in The Herald Bulletin sports department to describe the chances of the Indiana Pacers against the Miami Heat.
-
Rick Bramwell: Can anything not be learned online?
In the early 1940s there was an article in Popular Mechanics about the future of television. My grandfather told my dad and uncle not to get excited: “You boys know they can’t send a picture through the air.”
-
Ken de la Bastide: Will Indy 500 field 33 cars?
Pole Day this Saturday for the Indianapolis 500 will be unlike any other in recent years with plenty of unanswered questions.
Will there be 33 cars fielded for the “500”? Will drivers have to bump their way into the starting field on Sunday? -
Quintin Harlan: Farewell Coach Carter
Three years ago I received an email from Ross Buckman — a former mathmateics teacher that was subjected to having me as a student at Anderson High — telling me that he knew a gentleman that would be a great subject for a feature story.
- More Sports Columns Headlines
-
Police: 5-time Champ Johnny Tapia Found Dead
Native Americans' Olympic Medals Displayed in DC
Manning on Target at First Practice
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Relay Begins in England
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Passed to London
Selig: Oakland Move Might Be Considered
McNamee: Clemens, Canseco Had Steroids Talk
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
MLB: Mets Get 2013 All Star Game
Bernie Fine's Wife to Sue ESPN
Kyrie Irving Named NBA's Top Rookie
McNamee Says He Gave Clemens Steroids in 1998
Phelps Looks to Add to Medal Haul in London
Raw Video: McNamee Arrives at Clemens Trial
Bulls Bounced From Playoffs
Former NFL Star Junior Seau Found Dead
NFL Suspends 4 Players for Saints' Bounties
Reigning U.S. Champ Eying Olympic Gold in London
Knicks Fans Disappointed in Stoudemire
