IMS photo by Chris Jones

Indycar withdrawal can be a brutal thing, but thanks to IMS, I was able to slowly ease into the off season with two events at the brickyard the Battle on the Bricks featuring the IMSA series and the BC39 Driven to Save Lives USAC midget race last night.

The two events, both far different from Indycar, and miles apart when compared to each other gave me a taste of racing and helped ease me away from Indycar.

I had not attended the BC39 since its first year, when I remember a lot of inaugural event kinks. I’m happy to report, there has been major improvement in the program. More on that in a bit.

I have to get to more midget shows in 2024. The racing is fun, close, action packed. The duel between Thomas Meseraull and eventual winner Justin Grant was edge of your seat thrilling. I wish Meseraull had not hit the wall with right laps left. The finish would have been amazing.

This is pure racing. There are no concerns about saving fuel or having the distraction of calculating pit strategy. The drivers go out and just face full bore.

On the two nights that I attended, the program ran very efficiently. I have been to sprint and midget races in the past where the feature race didn’t get started until almost midnight. I was home by 11 each night.

A friend who has been to the Chili Bowl told me that he wished the Chili Bowl ran as efficiently as the BC39.

Fan Friendly Improvements

The biggest improvement I noticed was moving the Shaw Grandstand to the track’s backstretch. The location provides fora better view of the track. In addition, fans get a view of the pagoda lit up.

The track lighting seemed brighter than I remember it. The midway had more food and merchandise vendors.

Transporting fans from the parking lots to the oval turn 3 area was quick. Vans and carts were waiting in the parking areas to whisk spectators to the track area.

Getting back to cars after the race is an area which needs work. None of the workers seemed to know where fans should stand to get a ride to their parking area. Designated drop off and pick up points for the north and south parking areas would be an easy fix.

Labeling the rows in the infield parking lot would help fans find their cars in the dark. The driver on Friday asked me what row my car was parked in. I had no clue.

I heard talk that this event may move to brickyard week next year to attract some Nascar drivers to participate. I am not in favor of that. This race was a great way to end my season. The weather was pleasant, and I had no other racing distractions. I’m fine with it right here.

A Film Note

Heartland International Film Festival will have the premiere of Lionheart, a documentary about Dan Wheldon, Thursday October 5, at Newfields. The show is sold out, but they have added a second presentation Saturday, October 14, at 7 pm, also at Newfields. Tickets are still available for the second presentation.

Go to https://tickets.heartlandfilmfestival.org/schedule for tickets.