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USAC TO SANCTION ANDERSON’S MIDGET 400 & SPRINT 500
APRIL 7, 2008 --- The nation’s longest Sprint and Midget races in 2008 will be sanctioned by the United States Auto Club following today’s joint announcement by USAC and Anderson (Ind.) Speedway officials.
The 60th “Pay Less Little 500” Sprint Car race and the inaugural “Anderson 400 Midget Classic” will be designated “special events” on the USAC calendar and therefore will not offer National points. Both races will be officiated by Anderson Speedway.
The May 24 Sprint car race continues a tradition begun in 1949 and the 500-lap race has traditionally been held the night before the Indianapolis 500 at the 1/4-mile banked, paved oval. The July 26 Midget race begins a new tradition, offering 400 laps of competition the night before the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at IMS.
Eric Gordon of Indianapolis, Ind. is the defending winner of the “Pay Less Little 500” and has a record eight victories in the historic event. Jerry Coons Jr. is USAC’s National Midget Champion, having won the past two championships.
The only longer USAC National Midget races in club history were the 500-lappers at the Indianapolis Speedrome from 1981-1988. USAC also sanctioned the “Little 500” Sprint race from 2001-2006.
“We are very excited about these two great events this year” said Rick Dawson, President of Anderson Speedway. “USAC and Anderson Speedway have a long history and these special sanctions will be great for both organizations. The format for the Pay Less Little 500 will not be affected by this sanction, however the prestige of both events will be substantially enhanced by it.”
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