Don’t ask me if what you’re about to read is just a result of Indiana Midget Week thriving with the USAC tour. Or if it has to do with the start of Ohio Sprint Speedweek on Friday.
But for the past year or two, I’ve had this pipe dream – and I think this season is the closest thing we’ve seen to it.
When the World of Outlaws hits the track for hot laps at Knoxville on Friday for the annual, two-day Brownells Big Guns Bash, it will be the start of four-straight races for the tour in the state of Iowa.
After Saturday night, the series will head to 34 Raceway in Burlington and Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway on as part of three races next weekend going into The Showdown at Huset’s and the Jackson Nationals in Minnesota.
I’ve always wondered, though, what it would be like if the two-day stop at Knoxville in June could turn into the finale nights of a Speedweek through the greatest state the country has to offer – yeah, I’m biased.
As long as the week ends with two nights at Knoxville – it maintains the two-day annual Brownells Big Guns Bash and gives everyone a pair of days to add to their notebooks ahead of Nationals.
Meanwhile, to the Northwest, Huset’s Speedway is thriving with its weekly shows running on Sunday nights.
If we keep those dates free, drivers could effectively run Huset’s and then come over to Iowa Speedweek.
Now, this is all difficult to do logistically. There’s a reason these Speedweek type runs are special. There has to be sponsors on board, tracks, staff, money to be made, fans to attend, and that’s only scratching the surface of it.
But I’d be remiss if I didn’t throw something out going into the four-race stretch this season.
The dates that are left free allow Monday-Thursday to be official race days along with the pair of Brownells Big Guns Bash nights.
What four tracks, though, could make up the four nights?
Dubuque is a new one for the series and could make its case next week. 34 Raceway in Burlington has its challenges, but again provided a good race when the Outlaws visited there a season ago.
We’ve seen the World of Outlaws Late Models run as well at both Davenport and Boone in the past year.
I’d say you could throw in Southern Iowa Speedway as well, but they are a part of the week that includes the 360 Nationals into the major 410 show at Knoxville. And hey, you might say that’s the only Iowa Speedweek we need, but I’m all about getting more 410 sprint car shows within the state’s borders.
In my head, I’d run Dubuque on Monday for a shorter travel night going into Davenport. Then roll into 34 Raceway on Wednesday and inch your way closer to Knoxville with a run at Boone Speedway.
Even if it wasn’t those four tracks or there was an off-day thrown in there, I’d be excited to see something along the lines happen to make that Brownells Big Guns Bash a real big race.
Regardless if it ever happens or not, I’m ready for another big weekend at Knoxville this Friday and Saturday.
