1st 1988 "Thursday Night Thunder" USAC Sprint Race at IRP on ESPN-TV

When the USAC sprint car series returns to pavement racing after a 7-year hiatus, defending champion, Steve Butler, finds himself a rookie as he enters his first-ever pavement sprint race. Pavement ace, Bob Frey wins the race, while Butler is awarded "Driver of the Race" honors after coming from the tail to 2nd place after being involved in a multi-car spin only 11 laps from the finish. Indy Car veterans Rich Vogler, Tom Bigelow, and Billy Vukovich III also display their pavement talent for the ESPN cameras.

[@MrJengels76]

I remember watching Thursday Night Thunder with my Dad each week when I was younger. Some good memories there

[@gretzkysyotes]

Man I miss this series on ESPN. Used to love watching the sprint cars at IRP.

[@tragedi25]

Thanks for posting! I used to record these for my dad, and was wondering how many people still remembered these. Good to know people still do....

[@StopyerBitchin]

Great Race! Thanks for posting!!

[@knightnrmer]

I remember inverting the lineup and Jeff Gordon winning alot

[@dougratelle5632]

Abreast to see again. Doug

[@StFidjnr]

what's the opening narration song

[@Facts123_com]

18th Avenue by Cat Stevens. czcams.com/video/Cqc4m9eMzbo/video.html

[@thrillbilly41]

Now that's some racing.
The crap we have these days sucks

[@nedkline886]

there is alot of sprint car and midget dirt track racing on youtube, tmez tv and tanner holmes. sprint car racing on pavement is stuppid