From Jim Hanks
Multi-time United States Auto Club (USAC)
champion and Indy 500 starter, Tom Bigelow,
will serve as the honorary Grand Marshal for
May 20 Xtreme Speed Challenge at Winchester
Speedway. The racing extravaganza will be
highlighted by the Must See Racing Xtreme
Sprint Cars and Must See Super Modifieds.
Bigelow enjoyed a tremendous racing career
that ended in the early 1990’s. Bigelow is an
inductee of the National Midget Auto Racing
Hall Of Fame as well as the National Sprint
Car Hall Of Fame. Bigelow is currently a color
commentator for Must See Racing events
that are televised on Fox SportsNet. It is only
fitting that Bigelow will serve as a Grand
Marshal for this historic event as Bigelow
currently resides in Winchester and enjoyed
great success at the speedway. In addition,
he made his final racing start in an ARCA
race at the track in the early 1990’s.
Bigelow, originally from Whitewater, WI, got his
racing start in the late 1950’s driving stock cars
at the local Jefferson (WI) Speedway. He eventually migrated to running midgets with the
famed BADGER racing association.
Eventually Bigelow relocated to Winchester and began racing more events in the Indiana area
and particularly with the USAC Sprint Car division. Bigelow took to the sprint cars and amassed
a whopping 52 USAC National Sprint Car wins which ranks first all-time with the series. He also
claimed the 1978 title.
His open wheel success gave him the opportunity to compete in the Indy Car ranks with CART
and USAC for seventeen seasons. He made 104 starts including 9 Indy 500 starts with a 6th
place his best Indy 500 finish. He finished second in back-to-back Indy Car starts at Texas and
Milwaukee in 1978.
When the USAC Sprint Car schedule began to dwindle in the mid 1980’s, Bigelow migrated back
to the midgets and was able to win several features as well as the 1984 USAC National Midget
champion. He claimed the USAC Regional Midget Series title 2 years earlier in 1982.
HALL OF FAMER TOM BIGELOW
WINCHESTER SPEEDWAY IN 1977
Bigelow made one NASCAR Cup start in his career in 1986. The day ended early for him after
only 30 laps due to engine failure. Bigelow enjoyed the experience. ” I should have stayed
there ( NASCAR ) ” Bigelow recently explained. ” That’s when money was starting to arrive
down there and I didn’t have a sponsor “. The experience would play a role in the final years of
Bigelow’s career as he finished his driving days behind the wheel of an ARCA car in the early
1990’s.
The last several seasons have found Bigelow behind the camera at Must See Racing events as
well as tutoring younger drivers. Must See Racing President, Jim Hanks, explains Bigelow’s
value to the series. ” Not long ago someone asked me what Tom Bigelow means to Must See
Racing. The answer is everything. He brings a rich history as one of the best drivers of all time,
he brings Hall of Fame credentials and most importantly he brings quality of character. Tom
knows the racing game and is a great ambassador for our series and our sport “.
The ‘ Xtreme Speed Challenge ‘ is shaping up to be arguably one of the biggest open wheel
events of 2012. The TRUFUEL Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series will be competing in their
third event of the 2012 season. The BIOBASED.US Must See Racing Super Modified Series will
be competing in its inaugural event. It will be the first time in twenty-two years the Super
Modifieds have competed at Winchester Speedway.
Both the Sprint Car and Super Modified feature events will each pay $6,000 to win thanks to
Don Wilshe and BIOBASED.US offering the Winners Circle Bonus. In addition, there will be a
$1,000 Fast Time Bonus to the Super Modified fast qualifier and $500 to the Sprint Car fast
qualifier.
There will be an open practice one day before the event May 19 from 2 – 6 P.M. to give teams
additional track time. The Full Throttle Modifieds and Vore’s Welding FWD Compacts will also be
part of this racing extravaganza. A meet and greet with Grand Marshal Tom Bigelow is also
planned the day of the event.
Tickets for the ‘ Xtreme Speed Challenge ‘ are now on sale. Fans are encouraged to get tickets
early to avoid long lines at the ticket window the day of the event. Call (248) 535-5575 to
purchase tickets or log onto www.mustseeracing.com for additional details