“tony stewart classic” at the speedrome this saturday night
 

“TONY STEWART CLASSIC” AT THE LINCOLN TECH INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDROME
OFFERS SHEPHERD INSURANCE “TAIL GUNNER BONUS” MONEY;
USAC “HALL OF FAME” INDUCTIONS SET FOR SATURDAY

A $5,000 winner’s share of the purse and a $10,000 cash bonus posted by Shepherd Insurance will make this Saturday night’s Inaugural “Tony Stewart Midget Classic” at the Lincoln Tech Indianapolis Speedway a signature event as part of the activities surrounding this weekend’s “Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard” NASCAR race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Saluting the USAC Triple Crown Champion who was “Rookie of the Year” in the track’s 1991 USAC Regional Midget series, this race hopes to spearhead a resurgence of pavement Midget racing in America. The 100-lap feature race is slated for a 9 pm green flag following a full day of preliminary activities.

Also on the docket is the 2015 USAC Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, scheduled to start at 6:45 pm on the track’s front stretch. Inductees among the fourth class to be honored this year are (in alphabetical order) Clint Brawner, Jimmy Caruthers, Butch Hartman, Lindsey Hopkins, Jim Hurtubise, Don Kenyon, Sheldon Kinser, Fred Lorenzen, Roger Penske, Larry Rice, Shorty Templeman and Sleepy Tripp.

Kyle O’Gara and Kyle Hamilton are among early favorites for Saturday’s race. O’Gara, brother-in-law of Indianapolis 500 veteran Sarah Fisher, has won five times in the Kenyon Midget series so far this year, including two victories at the Speedrome. Hamilton, USAC’s 2012 Silver Crown “Rookie of the Year,” is also a pavement standout. Entries continue to be filed and Kenyon Midget point leader Dameron Taylor and USAC National Midget rookie Spencer Bayston are also pre-entered.

In addition to the sizeable purse postings, Shepherd Insurance has created the “Tail Gunner Bonus,” a $10,000 award for a driver who elects, at the mandatory 75-lap intermission break, to restart last and win the 100-lap race. The offer will be made to the race leader at 75 laps, unless he declines. If so, the second place driver will receive the offer and if he declines the offer will go to the third-place driver, where the offer ends.

The Lincoln Tech Indianapolis Speedrome is USAC’s most active track in history. A total of 496 feature events have been conducted there in numerous disciplines. The track also produced Tony Stewart’s inaugural USAC victory, on August 9, 1991.

I will be there Friday and Saturday with my lights n push bumper on. Should be a good race all around.

Re: “tony stewart classic” at the speedrome this saturday ni
 

Austin nemire will be running a vw hawk looking forward to it!! Just wish no stop after 75 ?! Too separate races ..leader after 75 should get something!!

Pre entry list shows 11 cars as of 7/16/15....any updates?

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There will be a car count of somewhere in the range of 27-32 midgets. Should be a good race!

Awesome, I've never pushed at the Speedrome but can't pass on the opportunity to.

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Does anyone have info on ticket pricing for Kids? If you look at their website most their shows have a reduced price for 6-10 and then 5 and uder are Free but for this event it simply says $25 GA. I have about 30 people coming and most have kids they want to bring but for $25 they are concerned it's a little steep. ANy info would help, I've called the track numerous times but unable to leave a message due to their VM being full? ALso sent an email. Thanks guys!

If Larry calls me today I will ask

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Tony won his first USAC race the same day I was born. :18: Interesting.

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I have that same exact question. I've thought about going, but $25 is a little steep for my 5 year old.

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Saw this a little while ago on Twitter. Not one of the IndyCar drivers that moves the needle like some, but still pretty cool IMO. All of racing would benefit if drivers were allowed to do more cross-over racing.


‏@GabbyChaves :Looking forward my first @USACNation Midget race in the @tonystewart classic this weekend thanks to @HondaRacing_HPD http://ow.ly/i/bXbe7

So whose going to complain about rich foreigners ruining open wheel racing first? Pretty gnarly hope he kicks a$$

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Brian Herta said he is the most talented driver he has had since Dan Weldon. I hope has has a good showing in the midget!

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I sure wouldn't want to be holding the bag on this one! Bob

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I was able to get an answer, it's $30 for main grandstand GA and $15 for kids, and $25 for GA everywhere else and $12 for kids.

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Can we see a list of drivers that are going to run ???

$30-$25 for Speedrome midgets! Best wishes on that venture.

I will try to get what I can today. I'm heading there now to push

18 cars for Friday practice that signed in and a few that are not taking the track today.

Anyone know if Sleepy Tripp will be there for the HOF induction ceremonies?

Good day of practice. 20+ cars in the pits and several cars pre-entered weren't there today so that guarantees more cars for tomorrow. Kyle Hamilton was fast time I think with an 11.7. Top 8 all ran sub 12 second laps. Ted Beach was fast as well. Gabby Chavez had a good debut in the Honda Midget. Should be a great race tomorrow.

Got 28 signed in so far with 5 off the pre entry list not here.

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How many cars qualified?

22 qualified 3 didn't fire

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Anyone doing updates?

___________
Wes Stafford

Lining up for driver introduction now

Some of you long time pavement sprint car fans will know the name of this driver that is hoping in a Kenyon Midget at the last minute. Brad Armstrong. Good luck Brad

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Might be the last midget race with that kind of purse. Surprised some California cars didn't show up.

___________
Wes Stafford

Results anyone?

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Re: “tony stewart classic” at the speedrome this saturday ni
 

Found this video of Gabby Chavez. http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/11...his-usac-debut

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Re: “tony stewart classic” at the speedrome this saturday ni
 

Very cool

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Brent

Talks like a nice kid>>and he is a hell of a driver. I would like to see him on a 1/4 mile dirt Bull Ring with twice as much motor. Sounds like a job for Keith.

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

Re: “tony stewart classic” at the speedrome this saturday ni
 

Gabby did very well for his first Midget race & earned much respect from me as a IndyCar pilot showing up running a bull ring during their racing season !

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Roy

The kid is consistent. That was the little Honda motor he was racing. Way underpowered but he used it all. It would be neat to see him on dirt somewhere in a full Midget. See if he has any Butt foot coordination. I think he started 13th and worked back up to 5th in 25 laps, and he sure didn't do it with Horsepower.

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

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Cracks me up that people still think that driving on dirt automatically makes you or breaks you in racing. If it's not clear to some by now, they will never get it. I say this and I DO race sprints and midgets on pavement AND dirt.... BTW, just because you cant always see it from outside the car and on TV, what do you think it is that has the drivers of IndyCars today in communication with their cars???? It's that butt-foot-steering wheel coordination...... :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse:

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Puppy

Old saying "you can take the driver out of the dirt but it is hard to take the dirt out of the driver" Know what I mean?:5::5: To go fast on dirt does require a tad more throttle modulation to be successful when racing on a slick track. Also a good driver is a good driver and they will adapt.

In Indy cars drivers might use very finite motor muscular control over the car and on dirt the driver requires a more gross motor muscular control in order to control the car.

Honest Dad himself:6::6:

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Well said Honest...