CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY TO HONOR ILLINOIS STATE CHAMPIONS

In an effort to reach out to local grassroots racing, Chicagoland Speedway has teamed up with the Short Track Auto Racing Series to honor and recognize the four winners from this Saturday’s annual Illinois State Championship race. The winner from the D’Arcy GMC National Midgets, Tool Store Classic Modifieds, Town and Country Lanes Legends and STARS Mini Cup will be recognized in front of thousands of fans at Champions Park just outside the speedway as well as a victory lane photo op with the winner of the Camping World Truck Series race on the Friday night of the NASCAR weekend in September. STARS President Joe Kirkeeng said, “This is a win-win situation for both STARS and the Chicagoland Speedway. The speedway gets to promote their big event in September and STARS gets their name out to thousands more race fans that may not have heard about the series.”

Not only will these drivers be on top of their game to try and win this once in a lifetime opportunity with Chicagoland Speedway, but the honor of winning the Illinois State Championship race is something many drivers want on their resume. Current D’Arcy GMC STARS points leader Jimmy Anderson said, “Winning the Illinois State Championship would mean a lot to me because I would be able to put my name on the list of who’s who when it comes to Midwestern midget racers”. That list of names goes from local heroes and favorites, Don Carter Jr. and Danny “The Kid” Pens to current USAC National standouts Tracy Hines and Mario Clouser.

Anderson holds a slim 44 point lead over Brad Greenup and an 88 point lead over 3rd place Billy Hulbert. With a possible 150 points to gain in one night, each driver cannot afford to slip up. Anderson has 3 wins this year along with a second place and Greenup has a feature victory and two runner up finishes. Hulbert, still winless, has finished consistent all season with his highest spot being second and worst finish only sixth. With only four races remaining in the Inaugural D’Arcy GMC STARS season, anything can happen between the crafty veteran in Anderson and the Young Guns of Greenup and Hulbert.

Pit gates open at the Grundy County Speedway at 2 pm and spectator gates open at 5 pm with the first race taking place at 6:30. As always there will be a giveaway at the gate as well as the ever popular Sherriff Terry Marketti/Big Brothers Big Sisters BIG wheel race for the kids.