TERRE HAUTE —
A look back on the 2011 Wabash Valley auto racing season reveals the best and worst of times the sport has to offer.
A year that generated stellar individual performances, competitive racing and sadly the loss of one of open wheel racing’ s brightest stars.
A campaign that opened under a cloud of uncertainty — mostly thanks to a troubled economy — survived potential financial pitfalls and constant bouts with the elements to offer fans, racers and officials alike a season not soon forgotten.
Those factors played key roles in determining the top 10 stories of 2011 for Valley racing buffs, whether the action was on the local, national or international scene.
Trackside Top 10 stories of 2011
No. 1 — Sadly, in the often unpredictable and violent world of motorsports, death took center stage as the year drew to a close.
The tragic loss of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon in the IndyCar finale in October stunned those in and outside the sport.
Cries for changes in IndyCar racing soon followed leaving the country’s premier open-wheel group searching for answers regarding the future of racing on the few ovals that remain on the IndyCar scene.
No. 2 — Ironically, Wheldon’s storybook last lap-final turn pass at Indy that won him his second 500 win generated its share of excitement and hopes for much needed momentum for IndyCar racing through most of the season.
No. 3 — In most years, storylines surrounding the action at the Terre Haute Action Track drew top attraction, but in 2011 the talk was as much about the lack of action as what unfolded at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds.
Inclement weather and questionable off-track decision making resulted in a disappointing and abbreviated two-event year.
No. 4 — Unfortunately, for a second straight year the future of oval track racing at the Fairgrounds was left in limbo as officials were searching for yet another new promoter as the year drew to a close.
USAC released its 2012 schedule revealing four tentative dates at the track but contract negotiations between Fair board officials and a new promoter remains ongoing.
No. 5 — Valley racers shined on several fronts bringing home track titles and a host of wins throughout the summer. None were brighter than the achievements of area driver Levi Jones who netted a record-breaking fifth USAC sprint title to go along with a second Silver Crown championship.
No. 6 — Fears that a sluggish economy would hurt the sport failed to materialize with figures showing only a slight downward trend in track attendance and racer participation.
No. 7 — Valley fans lost two of their most popular short track events as it is announced that the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck events at Indianapolis Raceway Park would not be part of the 2012 schedule.
No. 8 — Former Action Track competitors walk off with NASCAR’s two biggest prizes. Tony Stewart and Ricky Stenhouse won nailbiting finishes in their bids to win the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series crowns.
No. 9 — If one was to name a driver of the year at the Action Track, there would be little debate who earned the honor. Newcomer Chris Windom dominated the racing, winning both features, leading 56 of a possible 60 laps.
No. 10 — The year draws to a close with a host of high profile driver-team changes on the NASCAR Sprint Cup series circuit.
Parade of track Champions
Valley racers won their share of wins and carried off track titles on several fronts whether it was on the ovals or at the dragstrip. Tracks of interest and their champions include:
CROSSROADS DRAGWAY USA — Champions include: Tony Virgilo-Fast 33 @330, Derrick Troxell Super Pro, Pro-Dustin Brenton, Adam Price in Sportsman, Amara Tewell in High School, Kevin Adams Jr. Dragster and Toni Price Pink Ladies series.
TERRE HAUTE QUARTER MIDGET ASSOCIATION — Jr. Honda-Carson Dillion, Jr. Honda-Colton Wallace, Sr. Honda-Ben Kelly, Heavy Honda-Shelby Van Gilder, Jr. Stock-Carson Dillion, Sr. Stock- Douglas Dillion, Jr. Animal- Reece Reichart, Light World Formula-Cameron Parr, Heavy Wt. Formula-Jonny Newgent, Lt. 160-Gage Pohlman, Heavy B-Josh Schneider.
LINCOLN PARK SPEEDWAY — Sprints- Ethan Barrow, Modifieds-Paul Bumgardner, Super Stocks-Kenny Carmichael and Bomber-David Bumgardner.
In the always highly-competitive Saturday night of weekly racing at LPS, the sprint division produced 15 different feature winners. Casey Shuman (sprints) and Carmichael (stocks and modifieds) were the most prolific winners with each collecting six checkered flags. Area drivers C.J. Bryan and Cullen Goodman were repeat feature winners.
COLES COUNTY DRAGWAY — Super Pro-Bob Paul, Pro-Tommie Harlin, Sportsman-Eric Cooper, Motorcycle-Chad Isley and Nicole Little-Jr. Dragster.
BAKERSFIELD RACEWAY PARK — Hornet-Jeffery Shimmell, B Mods-James Wise, Jr. Sprints-Jadon Rogers, 600 Sidewinders-Zack Teike, 600 Uprights-Sam Borden, 4 Cyl-Jessie Cooley, Wingless 600-Nate McMillin, Restrictor Class-Creed Friz.
LYONS RACEWAY PARK — Super Pro-McColley Young, Pro-Eric Bowling, Sportsman-Bill McCarty, Jr. Dragster-Nathan Jones, Motorcycle-Bill McCarty. Fast 8-James Schantz, VP Fuels Quick 32-Al Peavler.
PARAGON SPEEDWAY — Sprints-Josh Cunningham, Super Stock-Steve Hollars, Bombers-Mike Ham, Pure Stock-Josh Litton.
BLOOMINGTON MOTOR SPEEDWAY — Sprints-Brady Short, Modifieds-Clint De Moss, Super Stock-Jeremy Hines.
The year 2011 will indeed go down in record books as a prosperous and rewarding year for area competitors and their many fans and supporters.
Joe Buckles can be reached at jbuckles4@frontier.com.
Auto Racing
TRACKSIDE: Valley racing showed best, worst of times in 2011
- Auto Racing
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TRACKSIDE: Sprint car event could generate close racing
One of the hottest and most competitive weekends of the 2012 motorsports season gets under way tonight at the Terre Haute Action Track with the scheduled running of the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic.
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No bumping in sight: Indy 500 field looks much the same a day later
No last-second runs. No drama, but a full field was set for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the close of Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.
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A brisk pace at Indy: Briscoe edges Hinchcliffe for pole position
Twenty-four spots were filled for the Indianapolis 500 on Saturday with Ryan Briscoe earning the pole position for the May 27 race.
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Accidents mar Pole Day at Indy
Although Bump Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway often produces late day drama and emotion, Sunday’s version of the drama began on Saturday during Pole Day action.
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Fast Friday lives up to its name at Speedway
Fast Friday lived up to its name at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as drivers tuned up for Pole Day runs today for the Indianapolis 500.
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Speedy rookie spins at Indy
Happy Hour at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway held both good and bad Wednesday for rookie Josef Newgarden while practicing for the Indianapolis 500.
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Andretti has fast time at Indy practice
A few new names appeared in the top 10 of the speed charts as practice for the Indianapolis 500 continued Tuesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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TRACKSIDE: Mulling over the biggest weekend in motorsports
We’re approaching what has traditionally become one of the busiest and most prestigious weekends in all of motorsports.
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Rookie continues to look good at Indy
For the third day in a row, speeds rose as drivers continued practice Monday for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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With mom watching, Saavedra turns fastest Indy time
Sebastian Saavedra gave his mom a great Mother’s Day gift.
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Rookies rule Indy practice speed charts
Rookies ruled at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the opening day of practice for the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500.
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TRACKSIDE: Spiker has begun to revive racing in Putnamville
Since his recent arrival on the Wabash Valley motorsports scene, Lincoln Park Speedway promoter Joe Spiker has certainly made his presence felt in Indiana sprint car circles.
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TRACKSIDE: Helfrich: Short-track racing has good future
When questions arise regarding the current state of sprint car racing, whether they be at the local or national level, one doesn’t have to search much further for the answer than veteran promoter Tom Helfrich.
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TRACKSIDE: An impressive opener for new THAT promoters
There might have been a chill to the air this past weekend, but the inclement conditions failed to dampen the spirits or the caliber of racing for the Action Track season opener Sunday.
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Ballou, Gilpin win at THAT
A borrowed trailer, a decided lack of tires and sponsorship, and Bud Kaeding weren’t going to separate Robert Ballou from the $2,500 check that went to the winner of the Midwest Sprint Car Series/King of Indiana Sprint Series in the season opener at the Terre Haute Action Track.
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MSCS opens its season at Action Track tonight
The Hoosier Tire Midwest Sprint Car Series will go into action today at the Terre Haute Action Track.
The race will offer drivers the opportunity to capture MSCS points as well as King of Indiana Sprint Series (KISS) points. The two organizations will combine forces to open their respective seasons. -
TRACKSIDE: Near-capacity crowd turns out for opening night of racing
Opening night at one of the midwest’s premier short track operations can be like no other time of the year.
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TRACKSIDE: Racing season has promise
With several “test and tunes” sessions and season openers having already taken the green flag, it’s a sure sign the Wabash Valley racing campaign is shifting into high gear.
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Following several months of speculation regarding the future of racing at the Terre Haute Action Track, fans can now breathe a huge sigh of relief.
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Matt Kenseth wins Daytona 500 after fire and rain
Well, NASCAR certainly knows how to make a prime-time impression.
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TRACKSIDE: Valley racing showed best, worst of times in 2011
A look back on the 2011 Wabash Valley auto racing season reveals the best and worst of times the sport has to offer.
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Action Track to play host to 4 USAC events
U.S. Auto Club officials have released preliminary schedules for next season and four events are listed to be run at The Action Track.
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ISU's Troxell, Crossroads Dragway in running for NHRA awards
Indiana State University student Derick Troxell and the Crossroads Dragway are both in the running for annual National Hot Rod Association awards.
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Memorial service for Wheldon attracts thousands
Thousands came to honor deceased IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon during a memorial service at Conseco Fieldhouse on Sunday.
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Indy remembers Wheldon
Dan Wheldon’s biggest fans wanted one more chance to thank their favorite driver.
One by one, they turned Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s main gate into a memorial for the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, who was killed Sunday in a fiery crash at Las Vegas.
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Wheldon fans leave tributes at Indianapolis track
Dozens of fans have left flowers, candles and notes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gates in memory of two-time Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon.
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Indy 500 winner Wheldon dies after massive wreck
Race car drivers always know the worst can happen whenever they get behind the wheel.
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UPDATE: Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon dies after massive crash in Vegas
Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after his car became ensnarled in a fiery 15-car pileup, flew over another vehicle and landed in a catch fence just outside turn 2.
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It was a frigid ending to oval dirt track season
The oval dirt track part of the 2011 Wabash Valley racing season came to a highly successful and climactic end over the weekend at Lincoln Park Speedway.
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Windom’s impressive streak evokes lofty comparisons
In the storied history of the Terre Haute Action Track no name is more synonymous with winning and dominance than the late Jim Hurtubise.
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