2018 Gateway Dirt Nationals - Midgets added to the DOME race.

[HoosierDirtFan]

Gateway Dirt nationals 2018 - Midgets added to the Dome race.
Article link - http://www.stlracing.com/2018/01/24/...ed-to-the-dome

[cgrace]

Dang I was perfectly fine with only two classes, but I wasn't asked

[CIRF]

If the midgets are given a well prepared racetrack to perform on they likely will steal the show. Of course that also depends on who's invited and what the rules/format will be, but given the right circumstances the midgets are more than capable of a remarkable show.

[Cardirt0]

If the midgets are given a well prepared racetrack to perform on they likely will steal the show. Of course that also depends on who's invited and what the rules/format will be, but given the right circumstances the midgets are more than capable of a remarkable show.

I though you be happy...Think you make it there....

[CIRF]

I though you be happy...Think you make it there....

We were figuring on being there even before there was any word about the midgets being part of the show since the Gateway people stopped scheduling directly against Du Quoin. We'll be there for sure on Saturday night but not sure if we'll make it down for all 3 nights. Lodging, food, parking and partying is just a bit too rich for our blood for all 3 nights. We'll be staying in Du Quoin just 2 weeks after Gateway and the Chili Bowl is just a month after Du Quoin and has been expanded to 6 nights starting in 2019. That puts us in Tulsa for a full week. You pile Christmas, New Years and my wedding anniversary on New Years Eve on top of all that and it's just not possible for me to be away all that time.

It'll be interesting what the format will be. I hope they do a Chili Bowl style passing points deal for the midgets and I hope they invite guys like Larson, Bell, Thorson, Stenhouse Jr., Sammy and Rico.

[zyoung25]

The show already starts early as it is. Not saying the midgets are going to hold the show up, it's just going to add more time to already long day. Regardless, I think I will be neat to see them apart of show.

[dch191]

I wonder if the addition of midgets to the program will attract enough fans that they’ll have to open the upper bowl for seating. I think it has the potential to sell substantially more tickets than the previous two years.

[CIRF]

It's safe to say that the crowd will be substantially larger if they invite and entice the guys I mention above to show up. It's going to be very interesting to see who they invite and who will actually accept an invitation. The reality of the situation is there is no precedence or tradition attached to this event, yet. It may develop over a period of time if they continue to make a go of it, but at this point there is none. I could be wrong but due to the fact it's going to be an invitational event it's probably won't be sanctioned. Without yet any particular prestige or sanction attached it may be tough to get the marquis names like Larson, Bell, Bayston, Thorson and others to accept an invitation. Without those marquis names the midget crowd may not be as big of an addition as one might think.

We all know there will be many of the heavy hitters from the dirt late model world on hand and if the promoters can get a bunch of big name midget drivers to show up this thing could get very big in a hurry. Stay tuned!

[HoosierDirtFan]

It's safe to say that the crowd will be substantially larger if they invite and entice the guys I mention above to show up. It's going to be very interesting to see who they invite and who will actually accept an invitation. The reality of the situation is there is no precedence or tradition attached to this event, yet. It may develop over a period of time if they continue to make a go of it, but at this point there is none. I could be wrong but due to the fact it's going to be an invitational event it's probably won't be sanctioned. Without yet any particular prestige or sanction attached it may be tough to get the marquis names like Larson, Bell, Bayston, Thorson and others to accept an invitation. Without those marquis names the midget crowd may not be as big of an addition as one might think.

We all know there will be many of the heavy hitters from the dirt late model world on hand and if the promoters can get a bunch of big name midget drivers to show up this thing could get very big in a hurry. Stay tuned!

It shouldn't be hard to get those guys there. I saw on twitter a few guys like Larson & Bell are already itching at the chance to race at the dome.

[fryefan]

That is awesome news.

I imagine/hope they limit the number of modifieds and midgets to 40 or 50 per class.

[TTS_JF]

I think if the 3 classes are all a success, you might see this turn to an invite only deal for all 3 classes. I wonder if there will be invitational races for the midgets/mods, or if it will be strictly invite only?

[smoothoperator32]

killed it for me when you added midgets not a fan of them

[CIRF]

It shouldn't be hard to get those guys there. I saw on twitter a few guys like Larson & Bell are already itching at the chance to race at the dome.

Really? I don't do twitter, or whatever it is, so I haven't seen anything to that effect. Guys like Larson and Bell were pining to be a part of this show even before it was announced? Hmmm. If you can believe the gibberish on social media then obviously the promoter has been in contact with the big guns well prior to this announcement. I'd be curious to see what the incentive would be for those guys to be anxious to race this event. Guys like Larson, Stenhouse Jr. and Bell have no real monetary incentive to be a part of it and, as I said, there is no tradition of prestige yet attached to it.

A very good question arose in the sprint car section as to whether these midgets would be USAC/POWRi legal or if they're going to allow the Chili Bowl specific midgets. I'm just guessing off the top of my head but I would say there are probably a couple dozen Chili Bowl specific cars out there and if they can get those cars and drivers to participate it would be a better show than if they go USAC/POWRi rules, in my opinion.

[CIRF]

killed it for me when you added midgets not a fan of them

You're pretty much part of a tiny minority. Fan or not, high quality midgets put on a show second to none, especially at the tiny bullrings such as Du Quoin, Chili Bowl and now the dome. That also holds true at the smaller outdoor venue's like Little Belleville, Mighty Macon, Fairbury and Lincoln.

Is it preconceived prejudice or dirt late model arrogance? LOL!

[Josh Bayko]

Midgets will almost assuredly race the place better than lates or modifieds. Kinda saw this deal coming when they tested a midget before the race this past year.