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.
Trackside
Trackside: Regional race tracks set their schedules
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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. -
TRACKSIDE: Stanbrough continues points chase after recent skirmish with rival
Veteran sprint car driver Jon Stanbrough has never been one to hide his distaste for chasing point championships. It simply doesn’t bode well with his style of racing.
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TRACKSIDE: Brett Andrew plays role in developing NASCAR's new body styles
The recent announcement from NASCAR regarding the approved body styles for the 2013 Sprint Cup Series follows extensive wind-tunnel testing that was a year in the making.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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TRACKSIDE: USAC Midget Classic not nearly as revered as it once was
It might be three years removed from its birthplace but the Hut Hundred USAC Midget Classic still holds a special place in the hearts of Wabash Valley racing buffs.
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TRACKSIDE: What could have been: Indy’s folklore got richer this week
It’s a question that will linger for years and only add to the folklore of the Indianapolis 500.
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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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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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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: 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: 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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TRACKSIDE: Menard's victory at Brickyard momentous for family, race fans
Who says one of those familiar bright fluorescent-colored Menards race cars can’t find its way to victory lane at Indianapolis?
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TRACKSIDE: After a delayed start, the Terre Haute Action Track gets season cranked up
Its arrival may have been delayed by several months — for a host of reasons — but the 2011 Terre Haute Action Track season is finally out of the blocks.
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TRACKSIDE: Changes come up on Indiana racing scene
With the highly anticipated USAC Indiana Sprint Week sprint card on tap at the Terre Haute Action Track tonight and the Tony Hulman/Don Smith Classic and a host of events leading up to the Brickyard 400 looming on the horizon, it would appear that it’s the best of times for Wabash Valley racing buffs.
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TRACKSIDE: Fortunes of dirt track racing at Action Track can be written in the dust
In the 40 plus years of covering motorsports, it would appear the process of writing this weekly race column would come together rather routinely.
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TRACKSIDE: Auto racing in May in Indiana runs on history and tradition
Possibly nowhere in the sports world does history and tradition play such a key role in an event’s success and future as that found in auto racing.
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TRACKSIDE: Wabash Valley racing ready to take green flag — even Action Track
Despite having already lost several bouts to the elements, the 2011 Wabash Valley motorsports season has taken the green flag and will soon be shifting into high gear on several fronts.
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TRACKSIDE: Fitzpatrick on track to continue impressive start to racing career
One of the top stories on the Wabash Valley motorsports stage last season was the emergence of Blake Fitzpatrick as a legitimate front-runner on the national sprint-car scene.
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Frightening finish to season at Terre Haute Action Track
The 2010 Terre Haute Action Track season came to a climactic close over the weekend. Unfortunately, the campaign closed on a near-tragic note for the second consecutive year.
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Trackside: Attractive USAC sprint car card this weekend
With the area circle track season rapidly drawing to a close, fans will have a pair of attractive USAC sprint car cards to attend this weekend. Back-to-back shows at Lincoln Park Speedway and Terre Haute Action Track not only offer fans a final opportunity to see the sprints in action one final time, but they also serve as pivotal stops in the chase for the USAC sprint car drivers championship.
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Trackside: Sadler’s wreck brings up memories for Terre Haute racer Sizemore
One of the many fans that viewed Elliott Sadler’s wild crash at Pocono over the weekend with more than casual interest was former Terre Haute racer Paul Sizemore.
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Trackside: Talented young racer Blake Fitzpatrick savoring USAC success
The dust has long settled. The congratulatory phone calls and handshakes are becoming less frequent but that first taste of victory remains as fresh and sweet as ever for the U.S. Auto Club’s newest first-time sprint car feature winner.
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Trackside: Positive story lines in USAC
Reflections on events surrounding a highly successful USAC Indiana Sprint Weeks while looking forward to a crowded schedule of events leading up to this weekend’s Brickyard 400.
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TRACKSIDE: Chase Stockon hopes momentum stays with him in Terre Haute
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