TERRE HAUTE — With Jeff Gordon, Steve Kinser and Lloyd Walls having already visited victory lane this season, and with the annual Thunder at North Motorsports Show on tap today, can there be any question that the 2007 racing campaign is in full swing?
What has become a ritual of spring for area racers Chuck Boehler and the Careers and Technology Department at Terre Haute North High School will present their 13th annual motorsports program today.
A sure sign that the green flag has indeed dropped on the upcoming racing season.
To help fans make their plans for the 2007 campaign its time to present the annual Tribune-Star Trackside schedule column. A listing of tracks, their highlighted dates and contacts to help make it easier for fans to make it to the races.
Those tracks include:
n Terre Haute Action Track — After months of speculation regarding the future of racing at the local half mile clay oval, promoter Dave Allison announced that Clay City native Tim Wolfe will oversee operations at the track with a seven-event slate.
Top attractions include USAC sprints May 19, July 19 and Oct. 5-6. USAC Silver Crown cars June 2 and USAC midgets Sept. 8. The King of Indiana Sprints visit June 30 with UMP mods sharing the cards four of the seven shows. Phone — (812) 234-6868.
n Action City Dragway USA, Terre Haute — Under new leadership, the NHRA-sanctioned eighth-mile dragstrip will present a weekly program of ET Bracket Points racing with a host of special events.
Action begins in earnest this Saturday with opening day of ET Bracket and Jr. Dragster racing. Major attractions include the 9th Annual Bernie Mann Memorial Race on May 26 and first night race June 9.
Other key events include Action City Dragway Shootout races on June 23, July 21 and Aug. 18, the Indiana-Kentucky Shootout Aug. 4, Outlaw Street Madness Aug 25, and Sheid Diesel Extravagana Aug 26. The weekly points racing will run through Oct .27. Phone — (812) 235-RACE.
n Bakersfield Raceway Park, Linton — Located east of Linton on Indiana 54, this 1/5 mile oval offers a weekly Friday night card of 4-cylinder stocks, 600 Mini-sprints, 600 Sidewinders, 250s and dwarf cars. Saturday night racing is reserved for the go-karts. Phone — (812) 847-2642.
n Bloomington Motor Speedway, Bloomington, Ind. — Considered by fans and racers as their favorite quarter-mile dirt oval, this Morgan County facility will present a weekly Friday night card of non-wing sprint car and stock car racing.
Specials include Indiana Dirt Late Model Speedweek May 11, the 19th Annual Sheldon Kinser Memorial $3000-to-win sprints June 1, KISS sprints June 15, Wolfpack Challenge UMP Mods July 6, USAC Indiana Sprint Week July 20 and O’Reilly-Midwest All-Star winged sprints on Aug. 24. Phone — (812) 824-7400.
n Charleston Speedway, Charleston, Ill. — With new promoters this popular quarter-mile oval will offer a weekly Saturday night program of UMP modified, street stocks and Hornets. Phone — (217) 345-2929.
n Gas City-I-69 Speedway, Gas City --Popular stop for the non-wing sprint contingent on Friday nights, the track will host KISS sprints May 11, Sunoco Late Models June 1, USAC Indiana Sprint Weeks July 13, and USAC midgets Aug. 10. Phone — 765-384-7285.
n Haubstadt-Tri-State Speedway, Haubstadt — No racing season would be complete without a visit to this palace of short track racing.
Specials on tap include Midwest Sprint Car Series track opener May 6, a $3000-to-win MSCS show May 27, a $5050.50-to-win MSCS card June 9, UMP Late Model Summer Nationals June 17, Midwest-All- Star winged sprints June 23, KISS sprints July 8, USAC Indiana Sprint Weeks July 21, MSCS Hoosier Sprint Nationals $10,000-to-win Aug. 4 and MSCS sprints Sept. 2. Phone — (812) 768-5995.
n Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- Indianapolis 500 Pole Day May 12, the Indianapolis 500 May 27, Formula One U.S Grand Prix June 17, and the Allstate Brickyard 400 July 29. Phone — (317) 492-8500.
n Kamp Motor Speedway, Boswell — Located near Boswell, this 3/8-mile high banked dirt oval is rapidly earning the reputation as one of the midwest's finest.
Key events include UMP Late Model Summer Nationals June 16, USAC Indiana Sprint Week July 18, Ike Bowman Memorial July 28, UMP Wolfpack Challenge Sept. 1, Kamp 50 $5000-to-win Late Models Sept. 15 and Fall Classic Sept. 29. Phone — (765) 869-5212.
n Kokomo Speedway — Legendary quarter-mile dirt oval celebrates 60 years of operation with a weekly card of sprints and several special events.
The season opener is slated for Sunday, Jack Hewitt Classic for sprints and midgets May 24, World of Outlaws June 5, KISS sprints June 17, Mid-Season Championship July 1, USAC Indiana Sprint Week July 15, Aug. 12 USAC midgets, The Vince Osman Memorial for sprints and Kokomo Classic Oct. 19-20. Phone — 765-459-3877.
n Lincoln Park Speedway, Putnamville — A favorite stop for area racers, the 5/16th oval will host the KISS sprints May 19, USAC Indiana Sprints Weeks July 14, 20th Annual Putnamville Class for sprints July 21 and 3rd Annual Patriot 100 for UMP modifieds Sept. 8. Phone — (765) 653-3485.
n O’Reilly Raceway Park (formerly IRP), Clermont — This facility offers the best in oval and drag racing. Key oval track events include Premier Racing Association-champ cars May 16, 62nd Annual Nite Before 500 for USAC midgets May 26, USAC sprints-midgets June 16, USAC Silver Crown cars July 26, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series July 27 and NASCAR Busch Kroger 200 July 28.
The top drag race show of the year, The U.S. Nationals is slated for Aug. 29-Sept. 3. Phone — (317) 291-4090.
n Paragon Speedway, Paragon — Possibly no short track program in the state is more successful than the one at this popular 3/8 mile oval.
With a weekly Saturday night program destined to appeal to both the racers and fans the track will offer other specials. Dave Peeden Memorial Race for street stocks and sprints on June 9, KISS sprints June 23, All-Star and Midwest Winged Sprints July 7, Mike Johnson Memorial July 21, Wolfpack UMP Modified Challenge Aug. 11, and 12th Annual Stock Car Nationals Sept.8. Phone — (765) 537-2366
n Red Hill Raceway, Sumner, Ill. — Located just south of Sumner, the high banked dirt oval sat idle a year ago, but owner Jim Mills is currently planning a big three-day show in the fall. Dates have yet to be finalized. Phone — (618) 936-2112.
n Salem Speedway, Salem —The high paved banks will play host to Calvin Gilstrap Classic for Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series June 9, USAR Hooters Pro-Cup series stocks June 30, USAC sprints and midgets Aug. 4, ARCA Fall Classic Sept. 15 and 19th Annual Halloween 200 Oct. 28. Phone — (1-888) 246-7223.
n Vermillion County Speedway, Danville, Ill. — The quarter-mile dirt track located just west of Danville offers Friday night stock and sprint car racing.
Specials include the five-race VCS Bell Helment Shootout series. Those dates are May 11, June 15, July 13, Aug 17 and Sept. 22. Other specials are Mid-Season Champioship June 8, UMP Late Model Summer Nationals July 1, Northern All-Star Late Models and Wolfpack Challenge Sept. 2, and Race Fest Sept. 21-23. Phone — (217) 443-6588.
n Winchester Speedway, Winchester — The notorious paved high banks will host ARCA stocks May 5, USA Modified Series June 10, King of Wings Auto Value-Hoss 30 July 22, Crate LM 75 Aug 12, and Winchester 400 Oct. 12-14. Phone — (765) 584-9701.
As always fans are cautioned to call ahead when threatening weather exists and tracks list dates and times as subject to change.
Joe Buckles can be contacted at jbuckles@verizon.net.
Auto Racing
Trackside: Regional race tracks set their schedules
- Auto Racing
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Carpenter arrives as Indy 500 threat
And the crowd went wild.
Not only did Ed Carpenter win the pole for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500, he is the hometown son. Carpenter, the stepson of Tony George, completed his rookie orientation in 2004 and has spent the last several years, proving he deserved to be the IZOD IndyCar Series. There is no questioning his credentials now. -
Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole
Ed Carpenter is on the pole for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500.
The native of Marshall, Ill., earned the No. 1 spot for the May 26 race with a strong run in the Fast Nine competition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday. He is the first American driver on the pole since 2006. -
TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
Soggy weather conditions, which have rightfully drawn the ire of Wabash Valley race fans and crews in recent days, continue to plague promoters where it hurts the most — their pocketbooks.
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TRACKSIDE: Tough to rise from sprint-car racing, especially in challenging financial times
Open-wheel sprint-car racing, whether it be at the national or local level, has earned a reputation over the years of generating its share of thrills and excitement for its fans and a valuable training ground for drivers seeking to hone their skills that someday might elevate them to the “major leagues” of their sport.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose baseball wins another thriller
Rose-Hulman earned its third victory in its last at-bat in the last five days with a 6-5 win over Franklin in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference baseball Tuesday night at Art Nehf Field.
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East gets jump at SUMAR Classic
In his relatively brief but successful racing career, young Bobby East has at times unfairly been labeled as a driver who could master the pavement ovals but one who was still a work in progress on the dirt.
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Hurtubise, Sumar races on Action Track slate this weekend
Championship racing is scheduled this weekend at the Terre Haute Action Track with U.S. Auto Club features set for today and Saturday.
One USAC championship will be decided and the spread in the other division could widen or tighten up as a result of the races.
The Jim Hurtubise Classic for sprint cars is today. Only 26 points separate three drivers in the point totals. -
TRACKSIDE: Chase Stockon hopes momentum stays with him in Terre Haute
Momentum, an element that can be as elusive to a race driver as that perfect setup, can spell the difference in winning or running at the rear of the pack.
It’s a force difficult to achieve and maybe even harder to maintain. One learns quickly to make the most of the opportunity when it comes his way.
It’s something Chase Stockon will carry with him coming into today’s Jim Hurtubise Classic at the Terre Haute Action Track.
Only days following the biggest victory of his young and promising career, the $10,000-to-win USAC feature at Lawrenceburg, Stockon followed that up with another rich payday this past weekend at Tri-State Speedway. -
IndyCar celebrates return to Pocono
IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter had the chance to take a drive around Pocono Raceway, and promptly handed the car keys to racing great Mario Andretti.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rain forces postponement of Jim Hurtubise Classic
Rain and the chance of inclement weather forced postponement of the Jim Hurtubise Classic scheduled for Saturday evening at the Terre Haute Action Track.
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METRO ROUNDUP: USAC points leader Levi Jones out for season
Levi Jones, the five-time and reigning United States Auto Club (USAC) National Sprint Car champion, will undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday to repair two herniated discs in his neck. While a full recovery is expected, the 12-week rehabilitation period will not allow for Jones to finish out the 2012 season, where he has competed in the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car and TRAXXAS Silver Crown divisions for Tony Stewart Racing (TSR).
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TRACKSIDE: Stockon takes giant step forward in USAC
One of the more impressive and welcomed storylines of the recently completed Indiana Sprint Week was the emergence of area driver Chase Stockon on the national sprint car scene.
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JJ joins hero Mears among four-time winners of Brickyard
Love him or hate him, there is no denying that Jimmie Johnson is a master at the Brickyard.
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Hamlin wins Brickyard 400 pole position
Denny Hamlin captured his first ever pole for the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday.
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Keselowski gives Penske first stock-car win at IMS
Brad Keselowski made history Saturday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as he took the checkered flag at the inaugural Indy 250 NASCAR Nationwide race.
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Bordais, Popow take checkered flag after downpour
While it never rained a drop during the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Super Weekend at the Brickyard certainly saw its share Friday as both the inaugural Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and the Rolex Sports Car Series met with the wet stuff.
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TRACKSIDE: Indiana Sprint Week rises above heat, rain, poor economy
The 25th annual version of Indiana Sprint Week is now officially in the record books and the latest chapter will go down as one of the most successful in recent years.
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Red-hot Hunter-Reay goes for fourth straight at Edmonton
Ryan Hunter-Reay goes for his fourth straight victory Sunday in IZOD IndyCar Series action in Canada.
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Clayton wins at Don Smith Classic
They call Daron Clayton, “The Modern Day Cowboy.”
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The King of Speed
Born in Terre Haute, Roger Curtis grew up on Franklin Street, moved to Riley with his family when he was in sixth grade and attended Thornton Elementary School and Honey Creek Junior High before graduating from Terre Haute South High School in 1985.
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Jones occupies driver’s seat: Six-time THAT winner leads Sprint Week series
When you think of USAC’s Indiana Sprint Week, thoughts of Levi Jones shouldn’t be far behind.
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TRACKSIDE: Late models may have no long-term future in Indiana
Reflecting on what was billed as the biggest week of the summer for dirt-track stock-car racing … while preparing to shift gears for the busiest week of the year for non-wing sprint-car racing in the Wabash Valley.
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Kenny Wallace realizes Action Track dream
Kenny Wallace won the UMP modified feature, leading flag-to-flag for the victory on Thursday night at the Terre Haute Action Track.
Wallace, a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver from 1990-2008, couldn’t have more thrilled to become part of a racing revival at the venerable dirt oval. -
TRACKSIDE: Summer heat has made this ‘The Hell Tour’
It is fittingly billed as “The Hell Tour” for many of the Midwest’s leading late model stock car drivers and their crews.
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Franchitti mired in post-Indy 500 slump
Dario Franchitti hopes to get back on track in IndyCar Series action Sunday in Canada.
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TRACKSIDE: Retired driver LaJoie spreads the word of safety
In his roles as past driving champion and television analyst, Randy LaJoie has rightfully earned the reputation as a major contributor to the sport of auto racing.
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Trackside: Stanbrough on track at midseason
When veteran driver Jon Stanbrough ushered in a new season in Florida back in February, he found himself facing a pair of unfamiliar challenges.
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Atchison, Virgilio win weekend races at Crossroads Dragway
Troy Atchison and Tony Virgilio won feature races in weekend racing at Crossroads Dragway.
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TRACKSIDE: Clauson bucks the IndyCar trend
On the surface, the distance from the dirt oval at Lincoln Park Speedway to the massive, paved Indianapolis Motor Speedway may appear only a few miles apart.
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Stewart Racing driver hangs on in final laps
Tony Stewart Racing’s Levi Jones passed Robert Ballou with 11 laps to go and held off a charging Jon Stanbrough to take the Hoosier Tire Midwest Sprint Car Series’ 25-lap feature Tuesday at the Terre Haute Action Track.
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