By Mike O’Leary
May 1, 2013 – Kirchner was enthusiastic about last weekend’s first race of the year, describing the racy track, the challenging cushion and the 29 sprint cars in the pits. For his first taste of competition under the lights of the historic racing oval, it was obviously a success.
Friday night’s KISS program will be his first big event and there are sure to be challenges. KISS night at Bloomington is always big. Big car counts, aggressive racing and excited fans will make the night memorable. And from all appearances, Kirchner and the race track will be ready.
The KISS series has the reputation for bringing out the big dogs, and this Friday won’t be an exception. Expected to be on the track is Brownsburg’s Jon Stanbrough. Stanbrough scored two feature wins last year, as he wrapped up his sixth KISS championship. Among the drivers who compete regularly at Bloomington, Brady Short is consistently one of the strongest. Short earned the KISS championship in 2009, and has three KISS features in the books. Another regular, Jeff Bland Jr. scored a KISS win at Tri-State Speedway in 2010.
One driver who is definitely anxious for the KISS event is Bedford’s Bub Cummings. A regular at Bloomington for the past several seasons, it was Cummings first feature victory at his home track. Racing to the victory from tenth starting slot, Cummings is showing that his efforts are paying off and a KISS victory is definitely not out of the question. After finishing second to Cummings, Dakota Jackson is another young racer who is ready for a big night. The Elizabethtown racer has been paying his dues and showing steady improvement.
The same can be said of many of Bloomington’s regular Friday night competitors. Those who could contend for their first KISS win include Danny Holtsclaw, Casey Shuman, Chase Briscoe, Josh Burton and Ethan Barrow. However they will be facing some of the toughest sprint car competition in the country.
Over the previous dozen years, KISS has built a deserved reputation for exciting racing, featuring the best drivers at the most competitive tracks. This brings out not only the best in the racers, but also the best fans. To this end, KISS A-Mains pay $2,500 to win and $250 to start. In a correction to information in previous releases this year, the top six B-Main cars that do not transfer to the feature will collect at least $100, remaining cars will be paid $50. The KISS point fund will pay $4,200, with the series champion earning $1,200. Second in points will collect $900, and third through fifth will receive $800, $700 and $600.
The Bloomington quarter-mile is located just an hour south of Indianapolis, off of State Route 37. General admission for the KISS program is only $20 and kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult; pit passes are $30. The racing will include UMP Super Stocks and Hornets. The main grandstand will open at 5:30, with hot laps at 6:30 and racing beginning at 7:30. The pit gate opens at 4:30. More information is available at www.bloomingtonspeedway.com.
This year’s KISS tour makes seven stops. Kokomo Speedway’s Sunday event rounds out a busy weekend for racers and fans alike. Then the series will continue with the I-69/Gas City Speedway on May 10, followed by events at Lawrenceburg, Haubstadt, Paragon and the finale at the Terre Haute Action Track on July 2.
2013 KISS SCHEDULE
May 3 Bloomington Speedway
May 5 Kokomo Speedway
May 10 Gas City I-69 Speedway
May 18 Lawrenceburg Speedway
May 26 Tri-State Speedway
June 1 Paragon Speedway
July 2 Terre Haute Action Track