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TRADITION REIGNS SUPREME AS USAC NEARS “RACE WEEK” IN INDIANA
MAY 16, 2008 --- How about 318 years of racing tradition in one week? Next week’s motorsports slate in the Hoosier state offers just that!
It all kicks off with Wednesday night’s 9th Annual “Banjo Glen Niebel Classic” USAC Sprint race at Anderson Speedway. A 100-lap feature is on tap at the 1/4-mile paved oval. Eight-time “Little 500” winner Eric Gordon won the first “Glen Niebel Classic” in 2000.
Thursday night’s 38th Annual First Financial “Tony Hulman Classic” presented by Budweiser showcases the USAC Sprint cars at the Terre Haute Action Track. A 30-lap feature continues the tradition started at the 1/2-mile dirt oval by race winner George Snider in 1971.
Friday’s 56th “Hoosier Hundred” K & N USAC Silver Crown race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds offers 100 miles of feature competition on the 1-mile Indianapolis dirt oval where Bob Sweikert won the inaugural in 1953.
Saturday night’s 63rd Toyota Challenge “Night Before the 500” USAC Mopar National Midget race at O’Reilly Raceway Park in the speed capital has roots dating back to 1946 when Leroy Warriner and Benny Emerick won races at the now-defunct 16th Street Speedway. A 50-lap main event concludes the program at the 5/8-mile paved oval.
Saturday night also offers the spectacular PayLess “Little 500” Sprint race, being held for the 60th time at Anderson Speedway. Starting 33 cars, three-abreast, ala-Indy, the race constitutes 500 laps around the 1/4-mile paved oval! Sam Skinner won the first “Little 500” back in 1949.
USAC also has a “tripleheader” of regional competition scheduled Thursday night at the Mount Lawn Speedway in New Castle, Ind. The Regional, Kenyon and Indiana Ford Focus Series are all involved, with 30-lap features for each on the 3/10-mile pavement.
It all culminates with the World’s Greatest Spectator Sporting Event on Sunday – the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
God Speed.
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