Hart Memorial 125 on WEDNESDAY night

[Frasson118]

I looooooove Holiday & mid-week shows, so I'm really looking forward to this one.

But the reason I started this post, was that I just saw a FB post that shows Daniel Webster is planning on coming (first time in several years if I recall), and David Browning says they are "ready for New Smyrna". He has been a dirt track guy for years, so I'm not sure his involvement.

Who else do you all know that is planning on coming. I'm sure the regulars like Rogers, Clouser, Sergi, but it would be cool to see some non-regulars come out.

[Frasson118]

Also.... although they won't be ready for awhile yet, look for the return of Brian Finney, this time driving the RK Edwards Construction 12 car.

[chevyj31]

The only problem with mid week shows are, most of the racers have full time jobs to support there hobby. I think for most people, unless they live close to NSS, will have a hard time getting there Wed. night to race. My thought is you eliminate a lot of potential racers with the mid week show. I as a spectator would also like to come and watch the race, but since I live on the west coast and have to work till 6 on wed, it makes it almost impossible for me to get there. I hope there are a bunch of cars and spectators, but I still think your best bet for racing is Sat nights.....Joe

[Mark Keeler]

To avoid any potential confusion there is NOT and has never been a Practice scheduled for Tuesday July 2nd prior to the Clyde Hart Memorial.

Our Open Practice for the Clyde Hart Memorial was last night.

Again, there is NO PRACTICE scheduled for Tuesday July 2nd.

Pit Gates will open on Wednesday at 3:00pm. With Practice for all divisions from 4:00-5:30pm.

[bubba]

I am going to try to make it out on Wed myself - sounds like it could be a good race.

[Jimmy McKinley]

The only problem with mid week shows are, most of the racers have full time jobs to support there hobby. I think for most people, unless they live close to NSS, will have a hard time getting there tues night for practice, and Wed. night to race. My thought is you eliminate a lot of potential racers with the mid week show. I as a spectator would also like to come and watch the race, but since I live on the west coast and have to work till 6 on wed, it makes it almost impossible for me to get there. I hope there are a bunch of cars and spectators, but I still think your best bet for racing is Sat nights.....Joe

Mid-week shows don't work? Don't tell that to the Wisconsin guys and girls. They run six days a week up there (or at least used to).

Here in Ohio, Memorial Day weekend saw five "normally-Saturday-night" tracks run Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. It allowed racers and fans that normally just go to one "Saturday-night" track to visit all five tracks.

Next week, Midvale is hosting their annual July biggie on Wednesday night. 100-lapper for the wedge-bodied Outlaw Super Late Models, and regular features in three other weekly divisions (E-Mods, Pure Stocks, and Mini Trucks). It's been their biggest crowd in the stands and largest fields of cars since I've been up here.

Don't tell me "Mid-week shows won't work". You (the track, the promoter, the fans, the racers) have to *want* and *make* it work.

[sbracer58]

Mid-week shows don't work? Don't tell that to the Wisconsin guys and girls. They run six days a week up there (or at least used to).

Here in Ohio, Memorial Day weekend saw five "normally-Saturday-night" tracks run Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. It allowed racers and fans that normally just go to one "Saturday-night" track to visit all five tracks.

Next week, Midvale is hosting their annual July biggie on Wednesday night. 100-lapper for the wedge-bodied Outlaw Super Late Models, and regular features in three other weekly divisions (E-Mods, Pure Stocks, and Mini Trucks). It's been their biggest crowd in the stands and largest fields of cars since I've been up here.

Don't tell me "Mid-week shows won't work". You (the track, the promoter, the fans, the racers) have to *want* and *make* it work.

Spot on!! I grew up in the midwest and raced lots in WI...on non-traditional nights. it can work. if its a good value and entertaining, people will pay for it...no matter what it is; a burger, bowling or a race.

[leftfield]

You better have a strong local fan base for the Mid week shows to work. With my location, I can be at almost any track in Florida within 2 1/2 hours. But, the closest track is an hour and half from me. That makes if very tough to make it to a mid week show. What do you guys think the % is for local fans at the tracks now? Lets say within 30 minutes of any track.

[Jimmy McKinley]

You better have a strong local fan base for the Mid week shows to work. With my location, I can be at almost any track in Florida within 2 1/2 hours. But, the closest track is an hour and half from me. That makes if very tough to make it to a mid week show. What do you guys think the % is for local fans at the tracks now? Lets say within 30 minutes of any track.

We made it from Vero Beach to Ocala for the Powell Memorial a few years back (about a 3-hour drive) right after getting off of work on a Tuesday night. In fact, I drove *south* from Melbourne (at the time) down I-95 to Vero; met my dad there after he got off work; then hauled a$$ up the Turnpike to get there just in time for heats and the feature.

If it's a *good* show, people (and racers) *will* come.

[sbracer58]

You better have a strong local fan base for the Mid week shows to work. With my location, I can be at almost any track in Florida within 2 1/2 hours. But, the closest track is an hour and half from me. That makes if very tough to make it to a mid week show. What do you guys think the % is for local fans at the tracks now? Lets say within 30 minutes of any track.

SWAG? 85%

[Frasson118]

I visit a few northern racing web-sites where there is a lot of mid-week racing going on. There's quite a bit of discussion on how far those fans will travel, even they worked that day, and are also working tomorrow. Travel time of 1-1/2 to 2 hours is pretty common.

The trick is to put on a BIG show, with just a few divisions, and to KEEP THE SHOW MOVING. Get them racing by 8:00, send them home by 10:30.

I don't believe they rely at all on a 'strong local fan base' to fill the place. It's all about having a 'cant - miss race', and they will show up in a snowstorm if that's when a good race was happening.

[Jimmy McKinley]

It's all about having a 'cant - miss race', and they will show up in a snowstorm if that's when a good race was happening.

The Hangover Derby at Sandusky, on New Year's Day, every year, no matter what day of the week, no matter the weather.

Fans are *encouraged* to throw snowballs at the cars under caution :P

[Mark Keeler]

There are a lot of rumors swirling around about what drivers may be coming. We did not do a concrete Entry Form and PreEntry List for this event.

I will say there is the POTENTIAL of seeing 4 former winners of this race in the field on Wednesday.

With the drivers that I know have been talked to, this should be a great race to honor Clyde Hart and the Hart family in general for continuing to keep the gates open.

SIDE NOTE: Since I started at the track in 2006 this race has always been Mid-week around the 4th. Other than rainouts and make up dates, the only time it was not run around the fourth that it wasn't scheduled to was in 2012 when they attempted to run it Labor Day Weekend. This race being on a Wednesday/Thursday is a tradition.

[MJM10]

Hoping for the best but...if it rains will we run it this weekend?

Just saw that the World Crown race was cancelled, LOTS of big names with no race to attend this weekend. I would call every one of them, pay $5000 to win, and run it this weekend. I'll bet you would get a great car count and lots of people with a long weekend who are sick of sitting on the couch in the stands...but what do I know.

[bubba]

Could be a real score for NSS - if they could get some of the commitments from the 300. Might be too short notice but hopefully they snag a few. Who knows, increase the purse a bit, make some calls and see what happens.