6/4/2025
Bloomington Speedway
Looking Back: USAC Midgets on the Red Clay in 1994
Today Tony Stewart’s image hangs in several Halls of Fame even as he devotes more of his time going blindly fast in a straight line. However, 31 years ago he was just an eager kid with big racing dreams. He was the USAC sprint car Rookie of the Year in 1991 and a year later he scored his first National win at I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri.
In 1993 Stewart jumped at a chance to go midget racing for Vincennes, Indiana grocery store owner Rollie Helmling. His reasoning was sound. Helmling helped shape the careers of John Andretti and Jeff Gordon and he now had a new budding talent on his hands. It was a rollercoaster season. Helmling was developing a Scat-4 engine and there were predictable teething pains. Tony was often fast only to be sidelined by mechanical woes. However, in September he took the prestigious Hut Hundred at the Terre Haute Action Track to nail down his first signature win.
Then he made a change. Ralph Potter had been around the racing scene for years and campaigned a potent midget of his own. In 1992 he was the USAC entrant champion while his driver, Tony Elliott finished second in the standings to Stevie Reeves. It was a ride that many coveted. Stewart reasoned that if he joined forces with Potter a title may be within his reach. He was correct.
Now armed with Ralph’s car Stewart headed to the red clay for Jeff Gordon Night on June 26, 1994. In the end one man was poised to block his path to victory lane.
Russ Gamester was a proven commodity. He had taken the USAC midget crown in 1989 and by this point in his career he was also racing stock cars on the ASA tour. In 1992 when the USAC midgets returned to Bloomington Speedway for the first time since Bob Tattersall triumphed in October 1970 it was Russ who topped the charts. When the night was over the storyline was not difficult to find. You see, when Tat scored the last midget win in his illustrious career at Bloomington he was driving for the Gamester family.
Russ knew that Stewart, although young, was the man to beat. It was early in the year, but Stewart had already displayed his versatility by winning on the pavement at Indianapolis Raceway Park in mid-May and then on the dirt at Limaland Motorsports Park a little over a month later. At Bloomington he put his stake in the ground early by posting fast time in qualifications with Gamester right behind him. At the drop of the green flag Stewart appeared to be the class of the field, and he was magnificent as he negotiated the razor thin cushion.
Then the caution flag was displayed, and all plotted their strategy for the restart on the 25th lap of the 30 lap feature event. While the cars were circling the track at idle speed Russ Gamester had an idea. Drifting to the top of the track between the third and fourth turns Russ quickly buzzed his tires. It wasn’t just a nervous reaction. When action resumed Stewart led the field down the backstretch and then set up to run the cushion exiting the third turn. There was just one problem. Gamester had removed what little cushion there was, and Tony suddenly sailed over the lip of the track and was holding on to his car for all he was worth.
While Gamester now had a free path to victory lane most of the fans’ eyes were glued to Stewart. The entire attitude of his car and the scream of his engine made it clear he was hopping mad. As Tony slashed at the wheel many officials, including USAC’s Bill Marvel had to look down. Nearly everyone sensed that Stewart was headed for disaster. Instead, Stewart fought all the way back to the runner-up spot in a drive that few who were there will forget.
When the midgets returned in August for the Larry Rice Classic he would not be denied.Tony would take his first USAC title in 1994, while Ralph Potter was again the entrant champion. As we now know Tony was just warming up and the stage was set for his historic 1995 Triple Crown year. As for Russ Gamester. The great veteran still soldiers on and now is the all-time leader in USAC Silver Crown Starts. A new story will be written on the red clay this Friday night.
John Mahoney captures both Stewart and Gamester. Look closely. There is a hidden story in the picture of Russ.
Article Credit: Patrick Sullivan
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