With a break in the always unpredictable Midwest weather, the 2008 area motorsports season is slated to shift into high gear as early as this weekend.
To help fans make their plans for the 2008 campaign its time to present the annual Tribune-Star Trackside schedule column that includes a listing of selected tracks and their highlighted dates.
Those tracks and selected dates include:
n Action City Dragway USA, Terre Haute — Following the recent death of co-owner Dallas Montgomery, Marty Sabla will take over the reins at the local National Hot Rod Association sanctioned dragstrip.
In addition to their weekly card of NHRA ET Bracket racing the 1/8-mile strip will host several special events, including: April 18 — Friday Fun Night; May 3 — First Points Race; May 24 — Outlaw Street Madness and bracket racing; June 21 — 10th Annual Bernie Mann Memorial; June 28 — Inaugural Dallas Montgomery Memorial Race; July 5 — National Dragster Challenge; Aug. 24 — Schied Diesel Drags Extravganza; Sept. 27 — Outlaw Street Madness; Oct. 11 — King of the Hill Race. Information — (812) 235-7223.
n Bakersfield Raceway Park, Linton — Located just east of Linton, the 1/5-mile dirt oval will offer a weekly Friday night card of modified midgets, mini-sprints, 4 cylinder mini-stocks and dwarf cars. The season opener is scheduled for April 11 with a program that runs through Oct. 17. Information — (812)-847-2642.
n Bloomington Motor Speedway, Bloomington — Presenting a weekly Friday night program of sprint and stocks, the 1/4-mile dirt oval will have their season opener April 11. Other specials include Spring Clash $3,000-to-win sprints on April 25, USAC sprints on May 9, Wolfpack Challenge for UMP Modifieds on May 16, King of Indiana Sprints on May 30, 20th annual Sheldon Kinser Classic on June 13, USAC sprints on July 18, Indiana Midget Week on Aug. 8, O'Reilly Midwest All-Star Sprints and UMP Modified Nationals on Sept. 19. Information — (812) 824-7400.
n Charleston Speedway, Charleson, Ill. — This popular 3/8-mile dirt track will present a weekly Saturday night show of Hornets, UMP modifieds, street stocks and dwarf cars. Information — (217) 345-2929.
n Coles County Dragway, Charleston, Ill. — The 1/8-mile dragstrip will have its Grand Opening on April 13. Other highlights include Jeg's Jr. Dragster Challenge on May 4, Hooper Memorial Day Classic on May 24, King of the Track on May 31, Super Pro ET $1,200-to-win on June 14, O’Reilly Jr. Dragster Challenge on May 24, Fuqua Firecracker 500 on July 5, Super Pro ET $1,200-to-win on Aug 9, NHRA National Dragster Challenge on Sept. 5, Bob Chaney Memorial Outlaws Supercharged Shootout on Sept. 21. Information — (217) 345-7777.
n Indianapolis Motor Speedway — Indianapolis 500 activities begin May 4, May 10 is Pole Day qualifying, May 11 and 17 are qualifications, May 18 is Bump Day, May 23 is Carbueration Day, May 25 is the Indianapolis 500.
Allstate Brickyard 400 practice is July 25. qualifying is July 26 and race day is July 27.
The inaugural Red Bull Moto Indy GP practice is Sept. 12, qualifying is Sept. 13, race day is Sept. 14. Information — (800) 822-RACE.
n Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis — The one-mile dirt oval will host the USAC Silver Crown cars for the Hoosier Hundred on May 23 and the AMA Motorcycles on Sept. 13. Information — (317) 927-7500.
n Kamp Motor Speedway, Boswell — The 3/8-mile high-banked oval will host the Wolfpack Challenge for UMP modifieds is April 19, American Late Model Sunoco series is May 31, UMP Late Model Summer Nationals is June 14, USAC sprints visit July 17, 6th annual Lucas Oil/Kamp 50 $5,000-to-win late model is Sept. 13. Information — (765) 869-5212.
n Lincoln Park Speedway, Putnamville — The season opener is April 12 with the Super Spring 30s $1,000-to-win. The 4th Annual Bomber Bash is July 19, the 21st Annual Putnamville Clash is Aug. 2, King of Non-Wing Sprints on Aug. 30, the 5th annual Patriot 100 UMP modifieds is Sept. 6. Information (765) 653-3485.
n O’Reilly Raceway Park, Clermont — ASA late model stocks start the season on April 26. USAC midgets visit May 24, USAC Silver Crown-midgets race July 24, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series visits July 25, NASCAR Nationwide Series Kroger 200 is July 26, NHRA U.S. National Drags are from Aug. 28-Sept. 1, USAC midgets are Sept.12. Circle Track Classic is Sept. 19, Advance Racing Association limited late modifieds and trucks are Oct. 11. Information — (317) 291-4090.
n Paragon Speedway, Paragon — The Fan-racer favorite 3/8-mile clay oval will have its season opener on April 19, Steve Bowlen $500-to-win street stocks is May 24. Dave Peeden Memorial sprints-stocks is June 7, 5th annual King of Indiana Sprints is July 5, Mid-Season Championship is July 12, Mike Johnson Memorial sprints visit July 19, UMP Modified Wolfpack Challenge is Aug. 9, 12th Annual Stock Car Dirt Nationals is Sept. 6. Information — (765) 537-2366.
n Salem Speedway, Salem — The high banks will host ARCA stocks on April 12-13, Calvin Gilstrap Classic for Hoosier Outlaw Sprints is May 17, Hooter Pro Cup stocks visit June 28, ASA Salem 200 stocks visit July 19, USAC sprints visit Aug. 3, ARCA stocks visit on Sept. 13 and the 20th Annual $5000-to-win street stocks visit Oct. 26. Information — (888) 246-7223.
n Terre Haute Action Track — Under new leadership, the half-mile clay oval will host the Don Smith Classic for Midwest Sprint Car Series sprints on May 2, Tony Hulman Classic USAC sprints on May 22, Sumar Classic for USAC Silver Crown Cars on July 23, UMP Modifieds on Sept. 12 and Hut Hundred for USAC midgets on Oct. 4. Information — The Action Track does not yet have a phone number.
n Tri-State Speedway, Haubstadt — The quarter-mile oval will host the World of Outlaw sprints on April 9, Midwest Sprint Car Series sprints are May 10 and May 25, UMP Late Model Summer Nationals is June 15, MSCS sprints is June 28, USAC sprints visit July 19, Hoosier Sprint Nationals $10,000-to-win is Aug. 2 and Haubstadt Hustler Sprint 50 $10,000-to-win is Sept. 27. Information — (812) 768-5995.
n Vermillion County Speedway, Danville,Ill. — The 1/4 dirt oval will host the non-wing sprints on April 4, May 16, July 25 and Sept. 5, David Richardson Memorial for modifieds sprint and stocks on May 25, UMP Late Model Summer Nationals on June 22, Larry Cannon Memorial for non-wing sprints on Aug. 29. Information — (217) 443-6588.
n Winchester Speedway, Winchester — The notorious high banks will host USAC sprints on April 20 and June 12, King of the Wings HOSS sprints Aug. 10, World Stock Car Festival CRA Super Series on Sept. 1, USAC sprints Sept 28, and the Winchester 400 for CRA stocks Oct. 10-12. Information (765) 584-9701.
As always fans are cautioned to call ahead when threatening weather exists and remembertrack dates are subject to change.
Joe Buckles can be reached at jbuckles4@verizon.net.
Sports Columns
Trackside: Pull those belts tight, it’s time for ’08 local racing
- Sports Columns
-
-
RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Sunday promises to be a super day in Indianapolis.
It’s the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 followed by Indiana vs. Miami in the third game of the National Basketball Association playoffs. -
TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. -
Shooters compete to fight cancer
A team of employees at Taghleef, formally A.E.T, would like to give a personal invite for you to join in on a lot of fun while helping save lives.
Cindy and Mark Wilguess are the inspiration behind the Taghleef Team. Cindy herself fought this battle with cancer and won. Last year she led her team to be the No. 1 fundraisers in the Relay for Life. -
TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
Today is the day for the Thunder in the Valley, and the Terre Haute Triathlon is under new leadership in 2013, the 28th year for the event at Hawthorn Park.
A former Terre Haute North track and cross country standout, Ethan Page is the race director as the race falls under the reign of Page’s new company, Crossroads Events. -
TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
If you had to pick one word that would describe the 2013 Indiana State baseball season, it would have to be frustration.
-
TRACKSIDE: Terre Haute's Carmichael enjoying strong spring in modifieds, stocks
It might have been cold and blustery at Charleston Speedway on Saturday night, but for Terre Haute driver Kenny Carmichael the evening couldn’t have been more pleasant.
-
From Terre Haute to the major leagues: Phegley's play could earn him promotion to Chicago
Josh Phegley's debut in the Major Leagues could be coming to a ballpark near you.
-
There's an expert at Parker's Archery
As I was driving the winding roadways of southern Indiana, a rustic building caught my attention and the sign on the front revealed it to be an archery shop called Parkers Archery.
-
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.
-
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers having a ‘Garden Party’
The Indiana Pacers are back in form and looking good.
-
KENNY BAYLESS: Sponsors sought for 'Ladies Only' event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays
Sponsors are being sought at the Ladies Only event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays on Saturday at 10 a.m. Sponsors should be willing to donate $1 or more for every broken bird. Each lady is allowed 25 shots. Flat donations are gladly accepted. Also, organizers are looking for more ladies to participate. Ammo, clay birds, and guns (if needed) will be furnished.
-
College Report: Lively earned collegiate upgrade with strong play
Hillary Lively signed to play Division II basketball at Maryville (Mo.) during her senior year at North Vermillion, but those plans changed and she would up at nearby Danville Area Community College — where she recently concluded an outstanding two-year career.
Lively was impressive enough to earn a Division I scholarship to Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference, and both her future and past college coaches think she will continue to succeed there.
“She fits what we need,” SEMO coach Ty Margenthaler said. “She has college experience, she is strong and physical and plays well around the basket and moves well.
“Her strength, rebounding and touch around the basket will be a big help. On the defensive end, she’ll be able to guard a true center.” -
RAMBLIN' RECK: It’s May … a time for horses and horsepower
It’s the first day of May, a great month for sports.
It begins with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. My Old Kentucky Home is played before the start of the race on which hundreds of bets will be placed by folks who ordinarily don’t bet on thoroughbred horse racing.
A week later, practice begins for the Indianapolis 500.
-
Terre Haute runner sets up race to help Boston
Having competed in the Boston Marathon once before in 2003, 35-year-old Majel Wells of Terre Haute thought she should give it another try in 2013.
“My goal was just to finish and enjoy Boston,” she reflected this week. “I had an injury [runner’s knee] beforehand, so I wasn’t too worried about beating my time from 2003 [4 hours, 10.20 seconds].
“But nobody cares about what your time is at Boston anyway.”
From what I’ve heard over the years, she’s right. Unless you’re a super-serious runner, the Boston Marathon has been more about taking in the atmosphere and having fun than placing in the top 50, although Wells was pleased that she beat her previous time by finishing in 3:55.19 on April 15.
Obviously, her race time wasn’t the most vivid memory that Wells took away from her 2013 Boston experience. -
Amey Takes Aim: NHL playoffs to put TVs to good use
If Jenny had known, she probably wouldn’t have bought that TV.
But four or five years ago, my Fathers Day present — for those unfamiliar with Amey family traditions, the Fathers Day one is “let’s get something we all really want and pretend it’s a gift for Dad” — was a 42-inch Vizio. It’s been used even more than the cell phone I never would have bought for myself, or the TomTom that disappeared since Jenny’s smartphone arrived.
And it came with high-def.
I’m not going to insult you by telling you how great high-def is, because to do so would be to imply that you are even farther behind the technological curve than I am. I’m guessing, however, that not all of you have yet discovered what it does for hockey. -
Foot Notes: ISU track athletes looking to keep improving at Drake Relays
Indiana State’s track schedule has helped its men’s and women’s teams escape the glacial Wabash Valley weather and enjoy warm days in Auburn, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn.
With the Sycamores’ track facility basically laid to rest for competition and construction on a new one planned near the Wabash River to begin in 2014, major kudos go to everyone involved for continuing to produce athletes that are NCAA contenders who race with some of the world’s best.
Some of ISU’s current athletes are hoping for season-best performances this weekend against strong competition in the Drake Relays.
Former Sycamore NCAA pole-vault champion Kylie Hutson, who competes professionally for Nike and trains in her hometown of Terre Haute, also has been in Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the Pole Vault in the Mall on Wednesday night. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Variety of birds to search for in turkey hunting
My father-in-law, Donnell Dunn of Jacksonville, Fla., is a retired engineer from J.I. Case and an avid reader and loves information on anything he takes interest in. He has five patents under his belt during his career.
Donnell took great interest in the Turkey World Slam display at Gander Mountain and thought each bird needed some info to help people understand more about them. -
TRACKSIDE: USAC racing picking up, including Sunday's stop in Terre Haute
With a break in the weather, U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned racing will kick into high gear on the area motorsports scene this weekend with events scheduled at three Indiana ovals.
-
Ramblin’ Reck: Sato first Foyt winner since 2002
Takuma Sato made Izod IndyCar Series history Sunday when he won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
-
Former South players to play in Saylor benefit game
I had my first phone conversation with Mike Saylor since mid-February on Thursday and he sounded good.
The former Terre Haute South High School boys basketball coach, who’s been battling cancer this year, has been traveling back and forth to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for chemotherapy treatments. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley prep athletes getting ready for next level
The NCAA “regular” signing period begins Wednesday for all sports except football, field hockey, soccer, track and field, cross country and men’s water polo.
-
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers closing out a nice season
In case you hadn’t noticed, the final games of the regular season will be played this week in the National Basketball Association.
-
Amey Takes Aim: Can’t bottle the joy of Amey vacations
The first bad sign was the Gatorade bottle.
In the Bataan-Death-March drive to Orlando that got the Amey family spring break vacation off to a bad start, seeing it between lanes of I-24 — as we zipped along at a 100-miles-in-five-hours clip — filled with an ominous yellow liquid was a little bit scary. And although we didn't stop to check for sure, I'm fairly certain I knew about its contents.
And the person stuck in the same traffic jam with us, the one with the existential license plate YMIHR4, couldn’t have asked a more pertinent question.
But, after seeing a lot more of Oak Grove, Ky., than we’d planned, and after enduring more traffic slowdowns in Nashville, we were on our way. Even some rain in the dark in the Smokies didn’t slow us down much, so you would think our first-day troubles were over.
You would be wrong. -
Redneck Quaker: Mascari gets thrills from turkey hunting
Annie Mascari is a beautiful, vibrant, 26-year-old lady that loves the outdoors.
She comes from a large family of four brothers and a sister and lives the teachings of good family values.
Olivia Rightly let me know that I “should talk to my teacher at St. Pats School, Ms. Mascari, because she’s taken a turkey.”
As I shook Annie’s hand, I could feel the energy she has for life. As proof, the first time she went up in an airplane, she jumped out of it!
She’s also quite the hunter. Mascari picked up a used PSE bow for $30, one for a left-hander because her left eye is dominate for shooting. The Page Arrows are her choice for broadheads. -
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Louisville gets two shots at NCAA title
Louisville met Michigan in the championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Monday. Louisville faces Connecticut in the title tilt of the women’s tournament tonight.
-
REDNECK QUAKER: Learning to shoot clays a great experience
Tom Mitchell from Burnett is an all-around outdoor enthusiast. His passions are motorcycles, cars, and most of all, shooting sports. When he sights in on metal target shooting with a hand gun or rifle you will hear a lot of “clang” noises, he can shoot very quiet also, because he is licensed to own suppressers.
-
TRACKSIDE: Racing season picking up speed
With several tracks already open and others scheduled to get underway this weekend it’s a sure sign the area motorsports campaign has taken the green flag for the 2013 season.
-
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Out with the hoops, in with the bats
It’s a super week for sports fans — college basketball comes to a close and the first baseball games are played in the major leagues.
-
COLLEGE REPORT: Conferences honor Valley softball players
Several Wabash Valley area college softball players have been honored by their respective conferences for outstanding play this spring.
-
FROM THE PRESSBOX: Content McKenna has enjoyed seeing ISU's progress
It all happened so fast in June 2010.
One minute, Kevin McKenna was head coach of the Indiana State men’s basketball program. Then — poof! — he was gone.
McKenna resigned from his head coaching position at ISU on June 13, 2010 to take an assistant coach position on Dana Altman’s then-burgeoning University of Oregon staff. - More Sports Columns Headlines
-
RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Today in History May 24
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
