Archive for Short Track
East Coast Indoor Dirt Nationals 2018 Day 2
Posted by: | CommentsNEWS FROM EAST COAST INDOOR DIRT NATIONALS
MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton @ 267.934.7286 or esaxton144@aol.com
PAUCH JR., RADKEY, SPENCE AND BUCKWALTER WIN TRENTON’S FRIDAY NIGHT 600 MICRO DIRT QUALIFIERS; CHAMP KART FEATURE TO MATT CHAVIS; $5,000-TO-WIN 600 MICRO DIRT NATIONALS SET FOR TONIGHT, SATURDAY
TRENTON, NJ December 14, 2018 . . . Billy Pauch, Jr., Jim Radkey, Kyle Spence and Steve Buckwalter were Friday night’s winners of the four A-Main Qualifiers, earning guaranteed starting spots into Saturday night’s 50-lap East Coast Dirt Nationals feature. Michael Carber, Tim Buckwalter, Lee Nardelli and Sean Brierly finished runner-up to the respective winners.
Tim Buckwalter’s last-to-first drive in the second feature was one of the evening’s most dramatic events as was Spence’s win over Lee Nardelli and Kenny Miller III. Scott Kreutter led the race several times but finished tenth after a last lap skirmish.
The 20-lap Champ Kart feature was won by Matt Chavis with Todd Crenshaw, Chance Hendershot, James Shutts and Tony Bootes completing the top five.
Six ten lap 600 Micro Sprint heat races were won by Billy Pauch, Jr., Kyle Spence, Eddie Strada, Kenny Miller III, Sean Brierly and Kyle Lick.
A pair of Champ Kart heat races were won by Tony Bootes and Matt Chavis.
Saturday’s fan-friendly schedule, day three of the Dirt Nationals, starts at 3PM when doors to the arena swing open. At 4PM, the 16 drivers who qualified for the A-Main through Thursday’s and Friday’s Qualifier race winners plus the next two highest runners-up in points among the eight second place finishers will sign autographs for fans on the main concourse.
Racing begins at 5PM with ‘Alphabet Mains’- 12-lap events with 12 cars each and transferring the top four finishers forward. A pair of G, F, E, D, C, and B Mains will provide opportunities for the field of 600 Micros to earn the final eight starting berths for the 50-lap 24-car, $5,000-to-win East Coast Indoor Dirt Nationals.
Champ Kart Feature (20 Laps): 1. Matt Chavis, 2. Todd Crenshaw, 3. Chance Hendershot, 4. James Shutts, 5. Tony Bootes, 6. Michael Kormann, 7. David South, 8. Jack O’Connor, 9. Chris Kraemer, 10. Adam Brown, 11. Dominic Roselli, 12. TJ Reed, 13. Chris Hirt.
First A-Main Qualifier 20 Laps – Top 2 Transfer To Sat. A-Main): 1. Billy Pauch, Jr., 2. Michael Carber, 3. Josh Conover, 4. Chad Sandt, 5. Matthew Jones, 6. Matthew Roselli, 7. Christian Bruno, 8. PJ Williams, 9. Chris Fenimore, 10. Corey Anderson, 11. Matt Smith, 12. Tyler Lindsay, 13. Joe Kemp, 14. Eric Heydenreich.
Second A-Main Qualifier (20 Laps – Top 2 Transfer To Sat. A-Main): 1. Jim Radkey, 2. Tim Buckwalter, 3. Eddie Strada, 4. Michael Maresca, 5. Brandon Pavel, 6. Jeff Weaver Jr., 7. Tim Nye, 8. Robbie Hocker, 9. Travis Hill, 10. Bobby Butler, 11. Gary Bozowski, 12. Justin Moesch, 13. Joel Smith, 14. Tyler Brehm.
Third A-Main Qualifier (20 Laps – Top 2 Transfer To Sat. A-Main): 1. Kyle Spence, 2. Lee Nardelli, 3. Kenny Miller III, 4. Nathan Smith, 5. Drew Pascuzzi, 6. Sam Locuson III, 7. Mike Meyers, 8. Tyler Kens, 9. Dominick Buffalino, 10. Scott Kreutter, 11. Morgan Rochelle, 12. Buddy Hines, 13. Ronald Strong, 14. Kyle Lick.
Fourth A-Main Qualifier (20 Laps – Top 2 Transfer To Sat. A-Main): 1. Steve Buckwalter, 2. Sean Brierly, 3. Alex Bright, 4. Danny Buccafusca, 5. Ricky Pritchard, 6. Geordan Marrero, 7. Andrew Locuson, 8. Luke Thomas, 9. Jon Keller, 10. Brian Montieth, 11. Nash Ely, 12. Steven Hutchinson, 13. Lou Cicconi, 14. Mike Iles.
TRENTON THURSDAY NIGHT DIRT RESULTS
Posted by: | CommentsNEWS FROM EAST COAST INDOOR DIRT NATIONALS
MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton @ 267.934.7286 or esaxton144@aol.com
CARBER, KIDD III, RUDOLPH AND WHITE WIN WINGLESS 600 SPRINT INDOOR DIRT FEATURES THURSDAY NIGHT AT TRENTON’S CURE ARENA, WHITMOYER TOPS IN SLINGSHOTS; ACTION CONTINUES ON FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7 PM AND SATURDAY NIGHT AT 5 PM
TRENTON, NJ December 13, 2018 . . . Brian Carber, Whitey Kidd III, Erick Rudolph and Collin White were the four winners of the 20-lap A-Main Wingless Sprint Qualifiers on Night One of the Second Annual East Coast Dirt Nationals inside Trenton, NJ’s CURE Insurance Arena.
In Slingshot feature action, Craig Whitmoyer, an accomplished Sportsman and Small Block Modified campaigner, won the 20-lap feature ahead of Danny Buccafusca, Anthony Raisner, Brett Bieber and Austin Silfee.
Earlier Wingless 600 Sprint racing, consisting of six 10-lap heat races that determined the starting order for the A Main Qualifiers were won by Joe Dopke, Jack Conover, Rudolph, Andrew Hannula, White and Austin Quick.
Slingshot heat races were won by Jared Silfee and Joe Toth.
The Dirt Nationals for Wingless 600 Sprints continues Friday, December 14th with the second round of split group qualifying which showcases the second 60 entrants running in qualifying feature events. Champ Karts are the co-feature Friday highlighted by a 20-lap feature.
On Saturday, December 15th, all 120 Wingless 600 Micro competitors will be competing for a spot in the $5,000 to win 50 lap A-Main. Racing starts at 7 PM on Friday and 5 PM on Saturday.
On Saturday, with all120, 600 Sprints on hand, Alphabet Mains are scheduled, with racers having the opportunity to advance from G, F, E, D, C, and B, that will precede the 50-lap A-Main paying $5,000 to win.
Information, including a link for advanced tickets, is available at www.indoorautoracing.com. Tickets are also available each day at the arena box office.
Slingshot A Main Finish (20 Laps): 1. Craig Whitmoyer, 2. Danny Buccafusca, 3. Anthony Raisner, 4. Brett Bieber, 5. Austin Silfee, 6. Cody Kline , 7. Seth Spayd, 8. Kurt Bettler, 9. Tom Arntz, 10. Kyle Herve, 11. Joe Toth, 12. Thomas Mowery, 13. Mike McLaughlin, 14. Jared Silfee, 15. Neil Rutt III, 16. Dan Morgiewicz Jr., 17 Brett Putnam, 18. Dylan Hoch, 19. Dakota Kessler, 20. Steve Svanda.
First Wingless Sprint Qualifier (20 Laps – Top 2 Qualify For Sat. A Main ): 1. Brian Carber, 2. Billy Covert, 3. LaVar Scott, 4. Mike Butler, 5. Ayrton Gennetten, 6. Joe Trenca, 7. Luke Schosetwitz, 8. Jason Swavely, 9. Christopher Robinson, 10. Johnny Smith Jr., 11. Zach Bealer, 12. Austin Quick, 13. Brad Smith, 14. David Schilling.
Second Wingless Sprint Qualifier (20 Laps – Top 2 Qualify For Sat. A-Main): 1. Whitey Kidd III, 2. Doug Snyder, 3. Pat Bealer, 4. Aiden Borden, 5. DJ Shuman, 6. Joe Dopke, 7. Jason Muldowney, 8. Brendon Bright, 9. Zach Fisher, 10. Wayne Scott, 11. Scotty Smith, 12. Connor Leoffler, 13 Ryan Berenty.
Third Wingless Sprint Qualifier (20 Laps – Top 2 Qualify For Sat. A-Main): 1.Erick Rudolph, 2. Brett Altemose, 3. Damon Paul, 4. Hunter Metzger, 5. Chris Locuson, 6. Jimmy Glenn, 7. Ryan Flores, 8. Anthony Sesely, 9. Jack Conover, 10. Kameron Morral, 11. Steve Svanda, 12. Seve Bracall.
Fourth Wingless Sprint Qualifier (20 Laps – Top 2 Qualify For Sat. A Main): 1. Collin White, 2. Ryan Greth, 3. Andrew Hannula, 4. Richie Hartman, 5. Carl Locuson, 6. Billy Murphy, 7. Will Butler, 8. Mike Austin, 9. Fred Hehnly, 10. Matt Pfanter, 11. Donald Bochelle, 12. Lucas Wolfe.
MISSOURI’S GENNETTEN SET FOR INDOOR DIRT RACING ACTION AT TRENTON DECEMBER 13-15
Posted by: | CommentsNEWS FROM LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS
2018-2019 INDOOR AUTO RACING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FUELED BY VP RACING FUELS
Event Promoter: Len Sammons @609.888.3618
MEDIA INFORMATION: Ernie Saxton Communications – Esaxton144@aol.com -267.934.7286
IMPORTANT MEDIA INFO AT END OF THIS RELEASE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORMER TULSA SHOOTOUT WINNER AYRTON GENNETTEN OF MISSOURI ENTERED FOR EAST COAST INDOOR DIRT NATIONALS IN TRENTON DECEMBER 13-15
TRENTON, NJ December 11, 2018 . . . Ayrton Gennetten, a 19 year old from Gravois Mills, MO who won the 2017 Tulsa Shootout, will be making his first start east of Ohio at the East Coast Indoor Dirt National. The third generation driver will be racing on a clay track being created on the floor of the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, N.J. The Dirt Nationals begins this Thursday and Friday, December 13th and 14th with split group qualifying which includes 60 racers each day running in a feature event. On Saturday, December 15th, all 120 competitors will be competing for a spot in the $5,000 to win 50 lap A-Main.
Racing against big fields of cars and national events is nothing new to Gennetten. When he won the Tulsa, OH Shootout in 2017 he outran a field of nearly 250 Winged Class A entries. In Trenton, he’ll be racing wingless.
Gennetten, who lives in a small town about 150 miles west of St. Louis, will drive a Bailey chassis 600cc Micro Sprint owned by Eric Orozoco from the Albany, NY area. The ride became available through Gennetten's work with Bailey chassis, a Haubstadt, IN, Micro chassis manufacturer.
Gennetten is proud of the achievements of his father Steve and grandfather Gene, both accomplished USAC Midget drivers. Gennetten is named Ayrton because his father greatly admired the driving talents of the late Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna.
After that big win, Gennetten jumped into 360 Sprint racing in the ASCS 360 Warrior Region and raced in ASCS National races when they are scheduled in the vicinity. He was named ASCS National Rookie Of The Year in his first year on the strength of one win and ten top fives in limited starts. Ultimately, he would like to have his shot at running the World of Outlaws 410 Sprint Series.
Ayrton's grandfather Gene narrowly missed winning the first Chili Bowl Indoor Midget Car race in 1987, losing out late in the race to the late Rich Vogler after the two got together. It is estimated that Gene Gennetten won over 200 features.
While new to the area, Gennetten will be racing against some familiar names to him from Sprint Car and Midget competition. Open Cockpit stars entered include Lincoln Speedway 410 Sprint Car champion, Brian Montieth. The Williams Grove Speedway champion Lucas Wolfe has entered as has Kutztown Action track king-pins Billy Pauch Jr. and Tim Buckwalter. Tim’s cousin Steve, Scott Kreutter, Eddie Strada, Eric Heyenreich, Alex Bright, Lou Cicconi and Joe Trenca are also entered. These top drivers will be taking on stars from dirt Modified and Micro Sprint competition.
This year’s schedule calls for heat races with passing points and four A-qualifier feature races for split fields on both Thursday and Friday night. On Saturday, with all 120 cars on hand, Alphabet mains are scheduled, with racers having the opportunity to advance from G, F, E, D, C, and B, will precede the 50 lap A-Main. Racing will start at 7 PM on Thursday and Friday, 5 PM on Saturday.
Slingshots will run a complete program of racing on Thursday night culminating in a 20-car, 20-lap feature. On Friday, Champ Karts are the co-feature, with the same field, same distance feature on the docket.
Information, including ticket and hotel links, is available at www.indoorautoracing.com. Tickets are also available daily at the CURE Insurance Arena box office.
####
IMPORTANT MEDIA NOTE:
In an effort to make the securing of media credentials easier for all please go to www.indoorautoracing.com under “CONTACT US” (on the right top bar). There you will find the Indoor Race Credential Request form.
The form allows you to request credentials for all four of the indoor events (Trenton, Allentown, Atlantic City and Syracuse).
List the name, media affiliation and assignment (photographer, writer, video ) and the events you would like to have credentials for. The sooner the request is received the better for all.
Credentials will be available, with proper ID, at the Media Sign-In area. Freelancers must provide proof of assignment. Infield photographers will be limited and assigned at meeting to be held in the press room prior to each day of racing.
Once the request has been reviewed, you will be notified as to who has been approved.
Thank you for your interest in the indoor auto racing events.
Len Sammons
NEWS FROM LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS
2018-2019 INDOOR AUTO RACING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FUELED BY VP RACING FUELS
Event Promoter: Len Sammons @609.888.3618
MEDIA INFORMATION: Ernie Saxton Communications – Esaxton144@aol.com -267.934.7286
IMPORTANT MEDIA INFO AT END OF THIS RELEASE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEDFORD MAD DOG’ MIKE ILES, UNITED RACING CLUB STANDOUT EDDIE STRADA ADD SPICE TO EAST COAST INDOOR DIRT NATIONALS 600 MICRO FIELD; RACES SET THIS WEEKEND (DEC.13-15) AT TRENTON’S CURE INSURANCE ARENA WITH FIELD OF 120 SLINGSHOTS; KARTS WILL RUN THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
TRENTON, NJ December 8. 2018 . . . Dirt Modified veteran Mike Iles and youthful URC 360 Sprint driver Eddie Strada, Jr. are among the 120 drivers ready to challenge the clay track being created on the floor of the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, N.J. The event, the East Coast Indoor Dirt Nationals, will be held this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 13th - 15th.
Though he has largely curtailed his outdoor racing career, Iles filed an entry for Trenton driving a car owned by Bill Drill. Iles, who lives in Medford, NJ, is a past big-block Modified champion at N.J.’s Bridgeport Speedway. He is also an Indoor Racing Series concrete track winner in Providence, RI, on March 6, 2009.
“I always enjoy racing indoors,” Iles, who earned the nickname ‘Medford Mad Dog’ for his fierce driving style.
“Indoor racing on dirt is a really exciting challenge.”
Iles was extremely competitive in last year’s inaugural event in Trenton before getting involved in a tangle that sent him flipping over several times. Iles, who jumped from the car quickly without injury, would love nothing better than winning the 50 lapper finale on Saturday night, the huge silver bowl trophy and a $5,000 first place prize.
Strata, of Hamlin, PA, is a third generation racer. He finished fifth in the URC Sprint 360 season standings as a rookie driver this season. Prior to that he was a heavy hitter in Micros and 305 Sprints.
Strada will be suiting up to drive a car owned and built by Mark Manieri, of Easton, PA., who has been an active and successful 600 Micro builder.
“Mark wants to give his Dirt Micro business a boost and running a car in Trenton is a good way to do that,” Strada said. “This is a car that can win. With my Micro experience, it should be an advantage.”
The First Annual East Coast Dirt Car Nationals was won by 36-year-old Staten Island, N.Y. resident Whitey Kidd, III who executed a late race pass on Alex Bright, Collegville, PA, to win the thriller over Brian Carber, New Holland, PA, Tim Buckwalter, Douglassville, PA and Austin Quick, Etters, PA.
Many other Midget, Sprint and Dirt Modified regulars have entered the event including Brian Montieth of Phoenixville, PA, Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, NY., Lucas Wolfe of Mechanicsburg, PA, Tim Buckwalter and his cousin Steve of Royersford, PA, Scott Kreutter of Buffalo, NY, Mike Maresca of Potsdam, NY, Billy Pauch, Jr., of Frenchtown, NJ, Matt Roselli from Brodheadsville, PA, Dominic Buffalino of Sayreville, NJ, Eric Heyenreich of Bloomsburg, PA, and Joe Trenca of Clay, NY
This year’s schedule calls for heat races with passing points and four A-qualifier feature races for split fields on both Thursday and Friday night. On Saturday, with all 120 cars on hand, Alphabet mains are scheduled, with racers having the opportunity to advance from G, F, E, D, C, and B, will precede the 50 lap A-Main. Racing will start at 7 PM on Thursday and Friday, 5 PM on Saturday.
Slingshots will run a complete program of racing on Thursday night culminating in a 20-car, 20-lap feature. On Friday, Champ Karts are the co-feature, with the same field, same distance feature on the docket.
Information, including ticket and hotel links, is available at www.indoorautoracing.com. Tickets are also available daily at the CURE Insurance Arena box office.
#####
IMPORTANT MEDIA NOTE: In an effort to make the securing of media credentials easier for all please go to "indoorautoracing.com" under “CONTACT US” (on the right top bar). There you will find the Indoor Race Credential Request form.
The form allows you to request credentials for all four of the indoor events (Trenton, Allentown, Atlantic City and Syracuse).
List the name, media affiliation and assignment (photographer, writer, video ) and the events you would like to have credentials for. The sooner the request is received the better for all.
Credentials will be available, with proper ID, at the Media Sign-In area. Freelancers must provide proof of assignment. Infield photographers will be limited and assigned at meeting to be held in the press room prior to each day of racing.
Once the request has been reviewed, you will be notified as to who has been approved.
Thank you for your interest in the indoor auto racing events.
Len Sammons
GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY ANNOUNCES CHANGES FOR THE 2019 AUTO RACING SEASON
Posted by: | Comments
Grandview Speedway
.
.
.
.
.
NEWS FROM THE ROGERS FAMILY OPERATED GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY, BECHTELSVILLE, PA
MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton @ esaxton144@aol.com, 215.752.7797 or 267.934.7286
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SATURDAY NIGHT RACING AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT LOOK IN 2019
RULE CHANGES ANNOUNCED AS SEASON IS SET TO START ON MARCH 30
ADDED ATTRACTIONS TO BE PART OF SOME SATURDAY NIGHTS
BECHTELSVILLE, PA December 10, 2018 . . . Changes have been made for the 2019 season at Grandview Speedway and Saturday night racing action will have a new look.
“The lack of participants, car counts have been declining in recent years, has forced us to remove the Late Models from the Saturday night racing action,” said track spokesperson Tina Rogers. “Over the recent years we have held meetings with the owners and drivers and listened to their ideas on how to save the division. However the car count could not support it any longer. With many teams selling out and others planning to travel the car count would be event less for 2019.
It is so sad that we have been forced to take this step as Late Models have been a big part of racing at Grandview for many years. Certainly our thanks go out to those who supported the division. It is the end of an era.”
A 10:1 compression rule replaces the old 9:1 engine rule. This change will allow Late Model owners wishing to do so to use their motors in the Modified division of competition. The maximum on a Whistler will be 10:4.
Saturday night racing will now feature the T.P.Trailers NASCAR Modifieds and Sportsman stock cars. The Sportsman division can look forward to more info on their new season as plans are being finalized. With the elimination of the Late Models track management will now be looking to add special attractions on Saturday nights and first to be signed is the URC Sprints on July 20 along with the East Coast USAC Sprints set for May 18th. As the schedule is filled in there will be a number of other special attractions.
Another change announced after a meeting of track officials and management has all Modifieds and Sportsman being allowed to use single or double conventional rub rails on the left side of their car only.
The Crate 604 Sportsman and Crate 602 Sportsman engines may now run a 750CFM Holley carburetor on gas. The carb rules can be found in the Modified section of the rule book at www.grandviewspeedway.com.
And another rule being implemented is that all Sportsman sail panels must be of equal height.
Ed Scott is available at 610.298.2408 and Cliff Quinn at 484.357.2587 should there be questions.
The 2019 season, the 57th straight season of stock car racing, is set to start with the annual free-to-the-public practice session on Saturday, March 30th at noon.
The VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial, featuring Modifieds, will be the first official night of racing action and is set for Saturday, April 6th. That race will pay $7,500 to win and $1,000 to start the race. The race remembers the man who, with his father Forrest, developed the track into one of the most successful weekly dirt short track operations in the nation. The family continues the operation of the popular facility.
Opportunities to benefit from marketing through NASCAR stock car racing at Grandview Speedway are currently available for the 2019 season. Details can be had by being in touch with Ernie Saxton at 267.934.7286 or Esaxton144@aol.com. A brochure outlining all opportunities is available from Saxton.
Grandview Speedway, a one-third-mile, banked clay track, is located on Passmore Road in Bechtelsville, PA just a short distance off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown. Check out the track website for latest information at www.grandviewspeedway.com or telephone 610.754.7688.
REIGNING WINNER CHRISTOPHER BELL ENTERS AS KNEPPER 55 FIELD NEARS 70
Posted by: | Comments
The United States Auto Club.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Contact: Richie Murray - USAC Media / richie@usacracing.com
Christopher Bell will drive the Tucker/Boat Motorsports #81
at Saturday's 'Junior Knepper 55.' (Rich Forman Photo)
REIGNING WINNER CHRISTOPHER BELL ENTERS AS KNEPPER 55 FIELD NEARS 70
By: Richie Murray - USAC Media
Du Quoin, Illinois (December 10, 2018).........Recent "Turkey Night Grand Prix" winner Christopher Bell has filed his entry to compete in the "Junior Knepper 55" USAC Midget Special Event this Saturday, December 15 at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin as the entry list has exploded to 69 drivers and teams for the fourth annual race.
Bell, of Norman, Oklahoma, is one of three entries for Tucker/Boat Motorsports alongside McKenna Haase and Tanner Berryhill. Bell is the defending winner of the "Knepper 55," taking the lead four laps from the finish to win the 55-lap main event. Ironically, it was a Tucker/Boat Motorsports car driven by Chad Boat that Bell passed to win the race.
C.J. Leary has also thrown his hat into the ring, driving for NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman. Leary was victorious in two USAC series this year, with a win in the AMSOIL National Sprint Car division at Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway and in the Silver Crown car at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.
Five-time USAC Light Up the World Western States Midget champion Ronnie Gardner of Riverside, Calif. will make his "Knepper 55" debut aboard a car for RAMS Racing as a teammate to Justin Grant, the only driver to win races in all three national divisions in 2018.
Meanwhile, Elkhart, Ill. native Chris Urish, a Silver Crown winner in the "Ted Horn 100" at the adjacent Du Quoin State Fairgrounds one-mile dirt oval, will drive for Tom Casson alongside teammate and fellow Silver Crown competitor Joey Moughan of Springfield, Ill. Carson Short has won on the big stage before, capturing the 2016 "Indiana Sprint Week" round at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind. He will drive his own No. 45 at Du Quoin.
Brian Shirley, of Chatham, Ill. a standout in late model racing, will drive for Jim Neuman while winged sprint car warrior Paul Nienhiser of Chapin, Ill. takes the wheel of his own ride.
These are just a few among the crop of drivers to make up this year's stout "Knepper 55" field, which also includes last year's race runner-up Chase Briscoe (Mitchell, Ind.) and 2016 "Shamrock Classic" third-place driver Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, Calif.), plus a pair of decorated USAC National Midget champions in Dave Darland and Kevin Olson.
Darland, of Lincoln, Ind., captured the 2001 and 2002 series titles in addition to his 1997 Silver Crown and 1999 National Sprint Car championships. He will drive the RMS LLC No. 36D. National Midget Hall of Famer Olson, of Loves Park, Ill., won his USAC National Midget titles in 1982 and 1987. He will climb aboard Dennis Hoppe's No. 5H on the 1/5-mile, indoor dirt oval.
Five-time Indy Indianapolis 500 starter Conor Daly, of Noblesville, Ind., steps into the Jody Rosenboom No. 22CD for his second career appearance in a midget. Beech Grove, Indiana's Kyle O'Gara, the 2014 USAC Pavement Midget champ, belts into the SFH Racing Development No. 67 for the "Knepper 55." Meanwhile, southern Illinois USAC Silver Crown star Shane Cockrum of Benton, Ill., twice a winner on the adjacent "Magic Mile," will wheel the Harris Racing No. 91.
Robert Dalby off Simi Valley, Calif. and Newcastle, Oklahoma's Trey Marcham have each had success in the USAC Western States Midget division during their careers. Dalby finished third in series points this season and will drive for Loyet Motorsports, the team that won the second-ever USAC-sanctioned race at the Southern Illinois Center, a Midwest HPD Midget event in 2005. Marcham, who led the first 17 laps of the 2017 "Knepper 55," picked up three victories with the series in 2014.
Winged sprint car veterans Ryan Smith and Tony Bruce, Jr. will shed the wing for a night of midget racing. Bruce, of Liberal, Kans. was the 2006 Knoxville Nationals Rookie of the Year while Kunkletown, Pennsylvania's Smith has won races with both the World of Outlaws and the All Star Circuit of Champions.
The Knepper family is once again sponsoring FREE entry for competitors to enter their midgets for the Saturday, December 15 "Junior Knepper 55" USAC Special Event at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin, Illinois.
After visiting https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2018-knepper-car-entry, use the coupon code KNEPPER to enter your car for the race for no charge. The offer expires Monday, December 10th, 2018. The complete pre-entry list for the event will be published the following day, Tuesday, December 11th.
Additionally, tickets are now on sale for the 4th annual "Junior Knepper 55" at https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2018-knepper-55-ticket-sales. The race will serve as the final event of the 2018 USAC racing season. Adult general admission tickets are available for just $19 in advance.
Furthermore, on https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2018-knepper-55-ticket-sales, you may order your 2018 "Junior Knepper 55" event t-shirt now for just $25. Sizes small through 4XL are available, but make sure to get yours soon while supplies last.
The event carries no points toward the USAC National Midget season championship, but has quickly become one of the most coveted races to win on the series calendar, annually boasting a large car count and a star-studded field to boot.
Though the special event carries no points toward the season championship, it has quickly become one of the most coveted races to win. Boasting large car counts and a star-studded field, the "Knepper 55" has already produced its share of memorable moments on the 1/6-mile dirt track located inside the building adjacent to the famed Du Quoin State Fairgrounds one-mile dirt oval.
The 55-lap event honors the memory of one of USAC's most accomplished car owners - Walter "Junior" Knepper of Belleville, Illinois - whose famed yellow number 55 midgets and sprint cars raced to 58 career USAC feature victories, including 34 in Sprints and 24 in Midgets, with drivers Bob Wente, Tom Bigelow, Mel Kenyon, George Snider, Dana Carter, Rich Vogler and his son Steve Knepper.
Nick Knepper, grandson of Junior and son of 13-time USAC National Midget winner Steve Knepper, will promote the event along with Derek LeMaster.
Last year, Norman, Oklahoma's Christopher Bell celebrated his 23rd birthday in grand style after passing Chad Boat with four laps remaining to win the third annual running over Chase Briscoe, Shane Golobic, Boat and Justin Grant.
In 2016, Indianapolis, Indiana's Tyler Courtney earned his first career USAC-sanctioned Midget feature victory in his first start for the Clauson/Marshall Racing team. In the inaugural running in 2015, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. of Olive Branch, Miss. electrified the crowd in the 55-lap feature, coming from the back of the pack to score the victory in the final laps.
Earlier this March, current USAC National Midget point leader Logan Seavey of Sutter, Calif. won his first career USAC race in the "Shamrock Classic" at the Southern Illinois Center.
Doors open for the event at 2:30pm (Central) on Saturday, December 15. A public drivers meeting will take place in the grandstands at 3:30pm. Cars are scheduled to get on track for hot laps at 4pm.
The race will be streamed LIVE on www.SpeedShiftTV.com/ with LIVE audio on the USAC app. As always, you can catch each and every USAC National event a day after the race is run, on-demand, on www.Loudpedal.TV/.
-------------------------------------------------
"JUNIOR KNEPPER 55" ENTRY LIST
(69 cars as of December 10, 2018)
Car # / Driver / Hometown / Team
0 Johnny Murdock / Dallas, TX (Zero Motorsports)
05D Robert Dalby / Simi Valley, CA (Loyet Motorsports)
08 Grady Chandler / Piedmont, Oklahoma (Dave Mac Motorsports)
1T Thomas Chandler / Festus, MO (Roney Racing)
1z Chris Roseland / Carter Lake, IA (Chris Roseland)
2 Chris Baue / Indianapolis, IN (Baue Family Race Team)
2B Jason Grady / Farmington, NM (2B Racing)
2G Andy Gage / Whiting, IA (Andy Gage)
3 Alex Watson / Columbus, OH (3w Racing)
3N Jake Neuman / New Berlin, IL (Jim Neuman)
3s Brian Shirley / Chatham, IL (Jim Neuman)
4A Justin Grant / Ione, CA (RAMS Racing)
5 Chase Briscoe / Mitchell, IN (Chase Briscoe Racing)
5H Kevin Olson / Loves Park, IL (Dennis Hoppe)
5v Jesse Vermillion / Greencastle, IN (Vermillion Racing)
6D Don Dawson II / Carlisle, IA (Don Dawson II)
7 Cody Beard / Huntingburg, IN (Cody Beard)
7T Adam Taylor / Dwight, IL (Taylor Motorsports)
7x Jon Steed / Rushville, IN (Steed Motorsports)
8JR Anton Hernandez / Arlington, TX (Bear Wood)
9 Emilio Hoover / Broken Arrow, OK (Emilio Hoover)
9JR Derek Hagar / Marion, AR (Hagar/Proctor Racing)
9x Paul Nienhiser / Chapin, IL (Paul Nienhiser)
11K Gage Rucker / Bellflower, MO (Kruseman Motorsports)
11L Aaron Leffel / Springfield, OH (Team Taylor Racing)
11T Trey Osborne / Columbus, OH (Richard Osborne)
11y Travis Young / Casey, IL (Travis Young)
14c Danny Clark / Plainfield, IN (Bill Rose Racing)
14s Ronnie Gardner / Riverside, CA (RAMS Racing)
14x Jody Rosenboom / Rock Rapids, IA (Jody Rosenboom Racing)
15J Jeff Wimmenauer / Greenwood, IN (Bill Wimmenauer)
16 Joey Parker / Plainfield, IN (Bill Rose Racing)
17B Ryan Bickett / Ramona, SD (Jody Rosenboom Racing)
18 Tony Bruce, Jr. / Liberal, KS (Team Eights)
19p Brandon Long / Wichita Falls, TX (Brandon Long)
22CD Conor Daly / Noblesville, IN (Jody Rosenboom Racing)
23 Mitchell Davis / Auburn, IL (Patrick Ryan)
23x Patrick Lawson / Edwardsville, IL (Hunt Brothers)
29 Joey Moughan / Springfield, IL (Tom Casson)
32 Trey Marcham / Newcastle, OK (Trey Marcham)
35 Tyler Robbins / Collinsville, IL (Tyler Robbins)
36D Dave Darland / Lincoln, IN (RMS LLC)
36J Thomas Meseraull / San Jose, CA (RMS LLC)
39 Kyle May / New Palestine, IN (Kyle May Racing)
41 Oliver Akard / Fort Myers, FL (Dan Akard)
41x Howard Moore / Memphis, TN (Chris Chappue)
45 Carson Short / Marion, IL (Carson Short)
49F Taylor Forbes / Harrisburg, SD (Taylor Forbes)
50 Daniel Adler / St. Louis, MO (Mike Adler)
51B Joe B. Miller / Millersville, MO (Jim Neuman)
52K John Dyson / Chicago, IL (Kruseman Motorsports)
55 C.J. Leary / Greenfield, IN (Alex Bowman)
55x Nick Drake / Mooresville, NC (Troy Cline)
56x Mark Chisholm / Cheyenne, WY (Fifty6x Racing)
57D Daniel Robinson / Ewing, IL (McCreery Motorsports)
67 Kyle O'Gara / Beech Grove, IN (SFH Racing Development)
68 Ryan Smith / Kunkletown, PA (SFH Racing Development)
77u Chris Urish / Elkhart, IL (Tom Casson)
77w Joey Wirth / Waterloo, IL (Joey Wirth)
81 Christopher Bell / Norman, OK (Tucker/Boat Motorsports)
81B Seth Bergman / Snohomish, WA (Team Eights)
81x Drew Fuhrman / Belleville, IL (The Duke Racing)
85 McKenna Haase / Des Moines, IA (Tucker/Boat Motorsports)
88 Terry Babb / Decatur, IL (Terry Babb)
89 Tanner Berryhill / Bixby, OK (Tucker/Boat Motorsports)
91 Shane Cockrum / Benton, IL (Harris Racing)
92m Josh Most / Red Oak, IA (Most Racing)
95 Chris Andrews / Tulsa, OK (Miller Racing)
721 Brendon Wiseley / Sand Springs, OK (MLM Motorsports)
