From Mike O’Leary
Bloomington, IN — Eighty-eight years ago, a small dirt oval was constructed on a plot of farmland between a rambling brook and a grassy hillside a couple miles south of Bloomington, Indiana. Many changes have taken place as the decades rolled past, but one thing that has remained consistent is the exciting short track racing on Friday nights at Bloomington Speedway. With the release of this year’s schedule, promoter Mike Miles has planned something special for everyone who walks through the front gate.
For long-time racing fans who follow the most competitive series in the country, the World Of Outlaws make their return to the south side oval in August, and USAC has three visits scheduled. Local racers who comprise the majority of the Friday night racing fields will note that the Speedway offers twenty nights of racing with some of the most popular programs of the summer, and even increased the prize money at one if its biggest traditional events. And for the regulars who love the season-long competition and hometown Friday night racing, Bloomington has added a new, entry-level series that will be as unpredictable as it is exciting.
Many have been wondering when the Outlaws would return to Bloomington. With high banks and sweeping turns, the red clay quarter-mile is too fast to keep them away for long and August 5th will mark their first appearance in 11 years. Along with Bloomington’s own Steve Kinser, all of the stars that make the Outlaws a unique racing experience, including Donny Schatz, Joey Saldana, Jason Myers, and Danny Lasoski are expected to compete for the $10,000 first prize. As an added bonus, Miles has announced that every advance purchase adult ticket will also receive a pit pass.
To compliment the fury of the Outlaws, the thunder and lightening of USAC’s sprint cars have both the traditional Indiana Sprint Week event on July 15th, and also the Larry Rice Classic, now moved to May 20th. On June 10th, USAC’s midgets join Bloomington’s regular sprint cars for a thrilling open wheel doubleheader as part of Midget Week.
In other high-profile sprint car competition, Bloomington opens the 2011 King of Indiana Sprint Series (KISS) tour on May 6 as Jon Stanbrough begins his quest of a sixth series championship. On June 24th, Mike Miles has boosted the purse of the 23rd running of the Sheldon Kinser Memorial to $4,000 for the win and $350 to start. And as the summer begins to wind down, the September 16th Fall Clash will showcase the Midwest Sprint Car Series with a $5,000 payday to wrap up the season.
Once the gates open on April 15, the action heats up quickly as the track’s sprint cars, UMP-sanctioned modifieds and super stocks are joined by the new Hornets division. The Hornets feature stock front wheel drive chassis with a 104-inch wheelbase, 4-cylinder engines of the same year and model for the chassis, and automatic or standard transmissions. Miles notes that the promoter has the option to claim any car for $1,400. With drivers as young as 13 years old allowed to compete, the Hornets will also run at Brownstown Speedway.
In other highlights, the American Modified Series will compete on May 13th and July 8th. Also, any driver winning two consecutive features will have to start tenth the next week, except for the Hornet division, where each winner will start the next feature in tenth. Finally, in one of the most explosive celebrations of the summer, the fireworks show on July 1st will be bigger and better than ever.
For more information contact the Bloomington Speedway at www.bloomingtonspeeedway.com, or 812-824-7400.