Lonnie Wheatley
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (September 1, 2021) – The annual tradition continues in just one month.
The tradition of the Sprint Car racing masses congregating upon Little Rock, Arkansas, as I-30 Speedway hosts the 34th Annual COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires.
This year’s $10,041-to-win tilt will take place on September 30, October 1 and October 2 atop the high-banked ¼-mile clay oval.
A Thursday night, September 30, Test N’ Tune session from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. will precede Friday’s preliminary action followed up by Saturday night’s championship slate of events.
An event with such great tradition that boasts a past winner’s list with names such as Kinser, Swindell, Bell, Sweet and more, it’s also an event that continues to evolve to keep fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
This year’s rendition offers up a format that is a melding of All Star and Sprintcar Classic formats.
Friday’s preliminary event will be contested under a derivative of the All Star Circuit of Champions format, with group qualifying setting heat race lineups. The Friday preliminary will conclude with “Twin 20’s”, a pair of $1,500-to-win 20-lap “A” Main events.
The top two from each of the “Twin 20’s” will be locked into Saturday night’s “Dash for Cash” and the championship main event.
Event points accumulated from Friday night’s qualifying, heat races and feature events will set Saturday night heat race lineups with more points from those setting the balance of Saturday night feature lineups. Additionally, the top two in accumulated points after Saturday heats will join the four Friday night lock-ins in the “Dash for Cash”.
The adjusted format will only amp up the intensity each time the cars are on track, likely making for yet another legendary edition of the Short Track Nationals.
Last year, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., finally broke into STN championship victory lane for the first time after three previous preliminary wins and three runner-up finishes. The Sunnyvale, TX, racer battled past Roger Crockett at the midway point and went on to become the 19th different STN winner ahead of Derek Hagar and Crockett.
Hall of Famers Sammy Swindell and Gary Wright top the STN win charts with five and four triumphs respectively with other past event winners including the likes of NASCAR Cup Series title contender Christopher Bell, Hafertepe, Jr., Blake Hahn, Paul McMahan, Brad Sweet, Tony Bruce, Jr., Jason Meyers, Jason Johnson, Tim Montgomery, Jason Sides, Mike Ward, Tim Crawley, Wayne Johnson, Pete Butler, Terry Gray, John Gerloff and Steve Kinser.
The Pertinent Info:
The What: 34th Annual COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires.
The Where: I-30 Speedway (Little Rock, AR). I-30 Speedway is located seven miles southwest of Little Rock off I-30 Exit 126 (Alexander Road).
The When: September 30 through October 2, 2021. (Test ‘N Tune on Thursday, September 30, followed by two full cards of racing action on October 1-2).
The Format: Friday’s preliminary event will be contested under a derivative of the All Star Circuit of Champions format, with group qualifying setting heat race lineups. The Friday preliminary will conclude with “Twin 20’s”, a pair of $1,500-to-win 20-lap “A” Main events.
The top two from each of the “Twin 20’s” will be locked into Saturday night’s “Dash for Cash” and the championship main event.
Event points accumulated from Friday night’s qualifying, heat races and feature events will set Saturday night heat race lineups with more points from those setting the balance of Saturday night feature lineups. Additionally, the top two in accumulated points after Saturday heats will join the four Friday night lock-ins in the “Dash for Cash”.
The Past Winners:
2020 – Sam Hafertepe, Jr.
2019-Blake Hahn
2018-Blake Hahn
2017-Sammy Swindell
2016-Sammy Swindell
2015-Rained Out
2014-Christopher Bell
2013-Sammy Swindell
2012-Paul McMahan
2011-Sammy Swindell
2010-Brad Sweet
2009-Tony Bruce, Jr.
2008-Tony Bruce, Jr.
2007-Jason Meyers
2006-Jason Johnson
2005-Tim Montgomery
2004-Gary Wright
2003-Gary Wright
2002-Paul McMahan
2001-Jason Sides
2000-Mike Ward
1999-Gary Wright
1998-Tim Crawley
1997-Wayne Johnson
1996-Pete Butler
1995-Gary Wright
1994-Terry Gray
1993-John Gerloff
1992-Rained Out
1991-Steve Kinser
1990-Sammy Swindell
1989-Steve Kinser
1988-Steve Kinser
The Tickets: Advance two-day tickets are $45.
Day of show prices are $20 on Friday and $30 on Saturday.
Children under 12 are admitted free on both nights courtesy of Dairy Queen.
To order tickets or for more information, check online at www.i-30speedway or call the track at 501-455-4567.
Pit passes are $35 on both Friday and Saturday. Driver pit pass for Friday and Saturday is included in the $100 entry fee if submitted by the deadline.
The Broadcast: If you can’t make it to the STN to catch all the breathtaking action in person, no need to fret as you can catch it all live online at www.floracing.com.
For more information regarding I-30 Speedway’s Short Track Nationals, check at www.i-30speedway.com or call the track at 501-455-4567.