INDIANAPOLIS —
The Sprint Summer Showdown begins today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Brickyard 400 for NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers is the first of five races in the new event that will culminate with the AdvoCare 500 in Atlanta.
Drivers who win the five races in the event will be eligible to win $3 Million by winning in Atlanta. He’ll win $1 million if he does it, $1 million for a favorite charity and $1 million for some lucky fan.
Dale Earnhart Jr. likes it. “It was pretty cool back when it was the Winston Million. It was very exciting and I was fortunate to win it,” he said.
Junior got off to a good start this season but has had five consecutive finishes of 15th or worse. He will start 22nd in today’s race.
Kurt Busch doesn’t think the Showdown takes away from the Sprint All-Star Race.
“The All-Star Race has its own prestigious value. It’s going to be interesting how Atlanta works out because it is a tough 500-mile race and it could come down to a fresh set of tires with eight laps to go,” he said.
He drives for Penske Racing and Roger Penske is looking for his first NASCAR victory at Indianapolis where he has been so successful in IndyCar races. “Winning for Roger would be that much more special,” he said.
Super Weekend set — Tickets go on sale this week for next year’s race to be run July 29 as part of The Super Weekend at The Brickyard, sponsored by Crown Royal.
A Nationwide Series race was run at Lucas Oil Raceway on Saturday where it was run before the first Brickyard 400. It will be part of the IMS schedule next year and will be run July 28.
Two Grand-Am Road Racing Series events also are on the card and will be run July 27 on the road course at the track.
Ticket prices in the penhouse and deck sections in the E&B Penthouse for the 2012 race have been reduced from $165 to $150 and fans may buy a general-admission ticket for $80. That has open seating the first two days, limited general-admission seating on the third day and general-admission access on race day.
Pit passes — Four drivers have competed in all 17 Brickyard races at Indianapolis: Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte.
Gordon has finished in the top eight in 13 of his 17 starts, while Martin has been in the top nine in 10 races.
Hoosier Tony Stewart has been in 12 races and finished in the top eight eight times.
• Hope Solo, goalkeeper for the U.S. women’s soccer team, will be the honorary driver of the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport pace car.
• Matt Kenseth will start ninth today and will seek his 200th top-10 finish in the race.
Auto Racing
Sprint Summer Showdown begins at Indianapolis
- 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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TRACKSIDE: Action Track's future secured
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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