From Indianapolis Speedrome®
No other track has hosted more USAC sanctioned events than the Indianapolis Speedrome®. And the World’s Home of the Figure 8® is very proud of that fact. The United States Auto Club has held races for Regional Midgets, Kenyon Midgets, Ford Focus Midgets, Modifieds, and even a single stockcar event at the 69-year-old facility. But sticking out like a jewel in a crown has been the 42 events ran under the USAC National Midget Series banner. It has been a treasure chest of history. And after a four year hiatus, USAC returns to the Speedrome in 2010 with USAC Regional Midgets, Ford Focus Midgets, Ford Focus Young Guns, and Mopar .25 Midgets in competition. The six-race series begins on May 26th.
The first Speedrome hosted USAC National event was held August 3, 1958, a 50-lapper won by Gene Hartley. The most recent feature was contested May 26, 2005 with Teddy Beach taking top honors in the 100-lap affair. There has been so many great names littered in-between. The legendary Mel Kenyon took his lone fifth-mile National victory in a 100-lapper on May 29, 1963. Rich Vogler’s second all-time six wins were spread over a decade and a half from 1975 to 1989. Leading the victory category is the coast-to-coast star Sleepy Tripp. The California transplant captured 8 checkered flags including going 4-for-5 in 1980. Other notable winner’s were Jeff Nuckles, Steve Lotshaw, and Billy Wease just to name a few.
The most intense and grueling Speedrome USAC National event was the Indy Midget 500. Held once a year during the decade of the 1980’s, this was the ultimate test of patience and preservation. The classic program featured nearly all the characteristics of its “older brother” across town including 33 starters in 11 rows of 3. The resemblance even included live pit stops in the track’s infield giving it a uniqueness of its own on such a small track. Six of those contests fell under National point’s coverage. They were won by Mack McClellan (1981), Rich Vogler (1984 and 1989), Tom Bigelow (1986), Russ Gamester (1987), and Kevin Olson (1988). Also worth mentioning, the other three stand-alone 500’s were captured by Lonnie Caruthers (1982), Vogler (1983), and Bigelow (1985).
The USAC Regional Midgets, Ford Focus Midgets, Ford Focus Young Guns, and Mopar .25 Midgets are back at the Indianapolis Speedrome®. The dates, all Wednesday nights, for this heralded racing return are May 26th, June 2nd, June 9th, June 23rd, June 30th, and July 7th. Each event will see test drives and a driver school in the afternoon before preliminary heats begin at 7:15pm. The feature lineup is 40-laps for Ford Focus Midgets, main events for the Mopar .25 Midgets, a traditional 50-lapper for the Regional series, and the capper 20-laps for the new Ford Focus Young Gun cars. Each USAC event will also be special for the latest innovation, a live broadcast. The programs will all be streamed in real time on their web site www.usacracing.com. This unparalleled showcase will see some of the best blossoming talent develop on a true drivers track.