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12/11/15 12:33 PM BYRD’s “INDY CHALLENGE” OPENS NEW AVENUE TO INDY

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BYRD'S "INDY CHALLENGE" OPENS NEW AVENUE TO INDY

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Seven USAC Midget races in 2016 form the nucleus of the inaugural Jonathan Byrd’s “Indy Challenge” which affords unprecedented career opportunities to USAC participants and opens the avenue to compete at the “Greatest Race Course in the World” – the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Indianapolis brothers David and Jonathan Byrd have constructed a unique format for their “challenge” which finds seven races in USAC’s National and Western Midget series serving as the stepping stone to the ultimate prize.

Five wins would earn that driver a seat in the 2017 Freedom 100 Indy Lights race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Six victories would secure a seat for the full roster of oval races on the 2017 Indy Lights schedule, while a sweep of all seven USAC events would earn the driver the 2017 Indy Lights oval races mentioned, as well as propel the winner to a ride in the 2018 Indianapolis 500.

Included are seven premier races on USAC’s 2016 calendar, starting with the June 4 Indiana Midget Week race at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway. Race two would be the final night of the Belleville (Kans.) Midget Nationals on August 6 while subsequent races are the August 17 “Eastern Invasion” race at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, PA.; the “Louie Vermeil Classic” Western Midget race at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway in September; the “4-Crown Nationals” at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio September 24; the “Gold Grown Midget Nationals” finale at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill October 8; and the “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway November 24.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our participants,” says USAC President Kevin Miller. “The Byrd family has long been a supporter of America’s grassroots motorsports and this challenge will mark a new avenue for our drivers who aspire to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

“On behalf of my mother Ginny and my brother David, we are truly excited to announce the Jonathan Byrd's Indy Challenge,” says Jonathan. “We recognize the talent it takes to compete at the highest levels in motorsports and know that succeeding and winning in the USAC National Midget ranks, especially on these larger tracks, can translate to success at Indy. We look forward to continuing our commitment to giving an opportunity to the best of the best in Midget racing, given our family's championship history. We want to thank USAC for allowing us to play a part in bringing a renewed focus to the incredible racing that is featured by the USAC National Midget Championship.”

[Danny Rowe]

I guess the Hut 100 is long gone ?

[D Byrd]

gone for now, but not forgotten. part of the thinking behind the Indy Challenge is to build the "big track" USAC Midget races. we would love to be instrumental in bringing back the Hut 100.

[Mattmac05]

Not criticizing (I think this is a great opportunity and good for the sport) just wonder why it only includes midget races and no sprint or silver crown races?

[jjones752]

When did Ventura become a big track? Has Jim Naylor been playing with the fences?

[D Byrd]

Because we love midget racing

[D Byrd]

We included turkey night because it is the longest race of the year. We went back and forth on this one quite a bit.

[D Byrd]

Originally Posted by Mattmac05 Not criticizing (I think this is a great opportunity and good for the sport) just wonder why it only includes midget races and no sprint or silver crown races?

Because we love midget racing

[D Byrd]

Originally Posted by jjones752 When did Ventura become a big track? Has Jim Naylor been playing with the fences?

We included turkey night because it is the longest race of the year. We went back and forth on this one quite a bit.

[fourcylguy]

Very cool!