Published: May 29, 2007 11:03 pm         

Future of U.S. Auto Club racing at Terre Haute Action Track in jeopardy

TERRE HAUTE — The future of U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned racing at the Terre Haute Action Track is in serious jeopardy and two remaining USAC-scheduled events there in upcoming weeks have been canceled after recent actions by the Indianapolis-based racing organization.

Action Track promoter Dave Allison and Wabash Valley Fair Board President Dave Hartman were notified of the moves late last week.

The loss of the USAC dates now leave only one event remaining on the 2007 Action Track schedule. A King of Indiana Sprint Series race is scheduled for June 30.

The move follows a stormy off- and on-track relationship between Martinsville, Ind., businessman Allison and USAC. That relationship deteriorated with the recent running of the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic.

The event was mired in lengthy delays because of poor track conditions and eventually shortened by curfew regulations.

“Last week we notified Dave Allison that we would no longer conduct races at the Action Track with him in control. It was a very difficult decision for USAC to make but one we thought was in the best interest of our drivers and fans,” said USAC President Rollie Helmling.

“It’s a shame that we have to do this but with the circumstance we saw last year and what happened at the Classic, we think things are going in the wrong direction at the track,” Helmling said.

“There’s always been a great tradition with USAC racing at the Action Track. I know. I was fortunate enough to win there as a car owner. It was very special. Hopefully the fans will understand and hopefully down the road we will continue to race there.”

Hartman was surprised by the news and doesn’t know how the remaining season will play out at the track.

“I have not heard from [Dave] Allison. I don’t know if he will attempt to find shows to replace the ones not being run. There’s been talk he would lease the track. Any lease would have to be approved by the board,” Hartman said.

Talk of a consortium of three area businessmen interested in salvaging two earlier canceled USAC events have surfaced in recent weeks.

One of those parties, Jim Mills, says his group is interested but not sure it will happen. “It’s a possibility but we’re not going to do anything until [Allison] is gone. To do it, we want to do it right,” said Mills, who has competed as a driver and sponsor both at the track and with USAC.

Terre Haute businessman Bill Biddle is not interested in staging races at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds but has a vested interested as a USAC car owner.

“Obviously we’re disappointed that USAC had to take the steps they did. But it is not in the best interest of USAC to continue on at the track under present circumstances,” Biddle said.

“It’s going to take steps like this to get things straightened out. [USAC] didn’t have any options.”

Attempts to contact Allison for this story were unsuccessful.