[USAC Developmental]

“BATTLE AT THE BRICKYARD” COURSE SET-UP UNDER WAY


The course for the 2nd “Battle at the Brickyard” is being constructed in the infield at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in anticipation of Wednesday’s opening events and .25-midget drivers from around the country are arriving in the speed capital to compete in this week’s USAC Mopar .25 Midget spectacular in the shadow of the famed oval’s Pagoda.

The 2nd Annual “Battle at the Brickyard” is slated July 7-10 for the more than 270 USAC Mopar .25 Midget drivers and entrants. Following a Tuesday night shop tour courtesy of Sarah Fisher Racing, participants will practice and compete in preliminary heat races on Wednesday. Competition will then continue through Saturday’s A-Mains, with victory lane ceremonies culminating the action, showcasing the top three finishers in each class and all “rookies.”

The world will be watching via the live streaming video on USAC’s website: www.usacracing.com. The event also attracted some nationally-renowned drivers last year, including stars of the IZOD Indy-Car Series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to view the action featuring tomorrow’s stars first-hand.

"We are excited to be back at the speedway for this event," said James Spink, USAC Director, Developmental Series. "Last year, our inaugural event was one that drivers raved about all year.” For 2010, there are over 270 cars pre-registered, with drivers coming from over 15 states including Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, New York and California.

The event marks Round #6 in the USAC “Generation NEXT” National Series. Drivers have already competed in North Carolina, Georgia, California, at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Florida and at Kokomo, Indiana. This series represents the developmental portion of the United States Auto Club. Some of these drivers have their sights set on racing well beyond their 16th birthday. Some have recently graduated into racing Focus Young Guns and Ford Focus Midgets. The .25 Midget Series teaches driver’s skills, enables young drivers to experience racing in the USAC family and provides racing events at venues where everyone can have lots of fun.

Many of the top 10 drivers in USAC Silver Crown, Sprints and Midgets this year began their racing careers in Quarter Midgets. When you hear the names Dave Darland, Bryan Clauson, Tracy Hines, Jerry Coons Jr, Bobby East, Bud Kaeding, Brad Kuhn, Josh Wise and Shane Hollingsworth; this is where they started. In 2009, NASCAR driver Ryan Newman, a graduate of Quarter Midget Racing, Al Unser, Jr (IRL), Levi Jones, (USAC Sprint Champion), Jerry Coons, Jr (USAC Midget Champion), Bryan Clauson, (USAC Driver), and Lyn St James, all visited the Brickyard event.

The “Battle at the Brickyard” begins with practice on Wednesday, followed by racing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gates open at 8 am every morning and racing wraps up by 6 pm. Drivers first compete in preliminary heat races before they can transfer to Main events. The top 3 drivers in 18 different classes will be awarded commemorative bricks and championship flags signed by all of the participants.

Admission is FREE for the USAC Mopar .25 Midget Races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.