It’s a debate that has been going on years and despite the arguments on both sides, 410 and 360 sprint cars both continue to thrive.
While there are without a doubt more 360-cubic-inch engined sprint cars competing in the United States these days than those carrying 410s, there is little question that 410 sprint-car racing is still the pinnacle of the sport. There’s no better evidence of that than here at the Knoxville Nationals, where the country’s largest 360 organization — the American Sprint Car Series — chose to make an announcement regarding its future.
Emmett Hahn announced the launch of ASCS at the Knoxville Nationals in 1992 and on Friday he revealed that Lucas Oil and K&N Filters would be investing in the ASCS national touring series as sponsors, with the series being renamed the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters.
With tow money for the top 10 in points and purses of $40,000 or more, including $6,000 to win and $500 to start, the immediate hysteria that often follows major racing developments was heard Friday at Knoxville. Some said that Hahn was trying to put 410 sprint-car racing out of business, others said he’s looking to steal some of the World of Outlaws top drivers, but few said what needed to be said — that here’s another option of short-track sprint-car racing for fans to choose from.

What the sport needs as much as anything is exposure. It needs new fans, fans that will come back year after year and support all types of sprint-car racing. Lucas Oil has the tools to help make that happen.

“I’m not targeting anyone and I don’t want to hurt 410 sprint-car racing,” Hahn said. “But there is a group of promoters out there that can’t afford 410 racing.”
And not only that, but with the involvement of Lucas Oil, Hahn has the opportunity to put another professionally operated and high-profile form of sprint-car racing on the market.
It’s difficult to understand how that could hurt anyone. What the sport needs as much as anything is exposure. It needs new fans, fans that will come back year after year and support all types of sprint-car racing.
Lucas Oil has the tools to help make that happen. The production facilities that Lucas Oil has are top notch and there is little question that television shows featuring the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series will be fast paced and entertaining.
But should certain segments of the sprint-car racing community be concerned about the latest development — most certainly. Hahn’s looking for new venues and there’s little doubt he’ll land a few World of Outlaws promoters that have trouble affording the series, and that he’ll pick up some shows from other organizations like the All Star Circuit of Champions and Interstate Racing Ass’n.
However, IRA President Steve Sinclair, who was at the announcement, is not concerned about Hahn’s ramping up of the ASCS national tour.
“Up where we are (Wisconsin), the 360s we have are not the same as what run with ASCS, so we don’t have too much to worry about, but that’s a huge purse and a lot of tow money. I do wonder how they’ll be able to do it. That purse is almost double what we pay for a show.”
Meanwhile, World Racing Group, which operates the World of Outlaws, is attempting to continue to strengthen the 410 sprint-car universe with the introduction of a national DIRTcar point fund for 410 sprint-car racing, which will offer three regional championships and a national title to weekly 410 winged sprint-car racers across the country.
The program, which is just an addition of the other DIRTcar divisions, which include modifieds, crate models and hobby stocks, will offer drivers insurance and will pay regional and national point funds. It is hoped that it will help strengthen weekly 410 sprint-car racing at tracks across the country.
It’s a good step for local racers. And Hahn’s Lucas Oil series is a good option for local racers who want to try their hands at traveling.
And no doubt, the ASCS traveling tour is a perfect training ground for drivers like Daryn Pittman, Jason Sides and others hoping to one day race for the World of Outlaws championship.
What’s so bad about that?