Mitch G.
04-30-2009, 06:19 PM
In 1969, 70 and 72 the Houston Astrodome was home to the "Astro Grand Prix" Indoor midget race. It was a big deal, and the best open wheel drivers from across the country showed up to wheel a midget. It was a full 1/4 mile dirt oval, and the "Dome" could hold about 50,000 people. It was a pretty big success, lots of media, and print coverage, good crowds, but it sort of faded away. The "Dome" owners said the dirt, and dust damaged the huge air conditioning system, and by the 3rd edition, it just was not making money. The winners of the 3 "Astro Grand Prix" races were, Tom Bigelow 1969, A.J. Foyt 1970, and Gary Bettenhausen 1972 (the race was not held in 1971). Check out the program cover for the 1972 race, and the entry list for that year. Also a photo of Bigelow, and Foyt in the 1970 race. A shot of Rich Vogler in 72, and a shot of Bobby Unser in Parnelli Jones midget from 1969. And a shot of the whole track and part of the "Dome" interior.