From Salem Speedway, images courtesy of Jim Fisher & Rick Rarer
SALEM, IN – The Salem Speedway “Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial” will feature an exciting new twist in 2010 reports track management. The USAC National Sprint Car Series, a mainstay of the event for over 45 years, will be joined by the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series for the 51st edition of the storied classic.
This marks the first time in the history of the event that two different sprint car series appear together on the racing program. In recent years, midgets or local stock car divisions have joined the USAC sprints for the annual race.
“We’re certainly excited to have these two great sprint car series appear on the same program,” said Salem Speedway general manager Richard Deaton. “This historic night on the high banks will provide fans an excellent opportunity to see the best-of-the-best in open wheel short-track racing.
“The breathtaking action of USAC sprints, combined with the raw speed and excitement of the Must See Racing Xtreme winged sprint cars, will undoubtedly deliver a memorable night of racing,” said Deaton.
The overall Salem Speedway track record of 14.377-seconds was posted by Kevin Feeney during time trials for a 2006 winged sprint car race on the high banks.
The honor roll of past James/O’Connor victors reads like a “who’s-who” in open wheel racing history with such names as A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Bob Sweikert, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Pancho Carter, Rich Vogler, Kenny Irwin Jr. and Tony Stewart gracing the list of former winners.
Originating in 1953 as the Joe James Memorial, in remembrance of the popular California driver who lost his life in a racing accident, the event was renamed the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial in 1958 following the death of O’Connor in that year’s Indianapolis 500.
The 2010 sprint classic, set for Saturday night, August 14th, will be topped off with a 30-lap feature for the MSR Xtreme Sprint Series and the 50-lap James/O’Connor Memorial for the USAC sprints.