Just thinking out loud. But, why have in the same area every year? Other than trying to make the distance equal. But, really that is not necessarily center of the US.

Seems that racing 9:30-12:00p is a little strange. This leaves the worst travel time afternoon rush hour to travel. Unless you do what I am thinking wait until the wee hours of the morning to drive. Only problem is fat chance of finding help in the middle of the night if you tear your stuff up on a pot hole.

I just know that the roads in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri are a lot worse than what we have in VA, NC, and SC. I bought my trailer in El Reno, OK and thought I was going to loose a kidney before I could get there with an empty truck.

But, hey I am still interested.