Champions to Be Crowned Friday Night at Lincoln Speedway’s Bennett Memorial
Lincoln, IL – August 19, 2025
The stage is set for one of the biggest nights of the season at Lincoln Speedway, as the 1/4-mile dirt oval hosts the annual Bennett Memorial Race and 2025 BRANDT Season Championship Night this Friday, August 22nd. With thousands of dollars in bonus money on the line and three divisions set to crown champions, fans can expect an action-packed evening honoring the legacy of Tom and Diane Bennett while celebrating the sport’s rising stars and seasoned veterans.
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A Night of Racing and Remembrance
The Bennett Memorial pays tribute to Tom and Diane Bennett, who devoted more than 50 years to the racing community. Friday’s event will feature six divisions in action: DIRTcar Pro Late Models, DIRTcar Modifieds, DIRTcar Pro Mods, DIRTcar Sportsman, MARA Midgets, and Crown Vics. Over $15,000 in bonus money will be distributed between drivers and fans through payouts, raffles, and giveaways.
Event Schedule:
• Pits Open: 4:00 PM
• Grandstands Open: 5:00 PM
• Hotlaps: 6:00 PM
• Racing: 7:00 PM
Grandstand admission is just $15, with kids 11 & under admitted FREE. Pit admission is $35.
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Pro Late Model Championship
In the DIRTcar Pro Late Model division, Braden Johnson of Taylorville, IL holds the point lead by 26 markers over Lincoln’s Brandon Sweitzer, a margin equal to 13 feature positions. Johnson enters the weekend with momentum, fresh off his first Lincoln win of the season last Friday. Behind them, Lincoln’s Michael Maestas, Decatur’s Dakota Ewing, and Lincoln’s Ryan Miller round out the top five.
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Modified Showdown: Father vs. Son
The most dramatic battle comes in the DIRTcar Modifieds, where family bragging rights are on the line. Mason City, IL’s Brian Lynn and his son, Austin Lynn, enter Friday night in a dead heat for the championship. Brian, a multi-time Lincoln champion, will look to add another title to his legacy, while Austin, the 2020 champion, aims to add to his own résumé. Former champion Brandon Roberts of Ashland, IL remains within striking distance, just 10 points back, while Taylorville’s Carter Sinkhorn and veteran Brian Diveley complete the top five.
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Crown Vic Points Race
The Crown Vic division will be racing for a title on championship night for the first time. Lincoln’s Aidan Crowell leads the standings by 26 points over Beason, IL’s Justin Miller. Shawn Awe (Mt. Pulaski, IL), Chris Tackett (Stanford, IL), and Alex Hatfield (Quincy, IL) round out the top five contenders in the new full-time class.
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MARA Midgets Farewell to Lincoln in 2025
While the MARA Midget season continues at other venues, Friday marks their final stop of the 2025 campaign at Lincoln Speedway. Crystal Lake’s Jace Sparks leads the standings by 26 points over Peoria’s Mark McMahill. Tyler Roth (Springfield, IL), Daltyn England (Springfield, IL), and Dominic Bruns (Champaign, IL) complete a tight top five as the division prepares to put on a show for the Lincoln faithful one last time this year.
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DIRTcar Sportsman and Pro Mods to Race
The DIRTcar Sportsman and Pro Mods, despite not being full-time Lincoln Speedway divisions, will be a big part of this Friday night’s show. The Pro Mod class has had just one event at the track this year but showed up strong with 20 cars when Bret Eilerman claimed the win. For the DIRTcar Sportsman, Colby Eller, of Taylorville, IL has had the best season winning two out of the four features and contending for the others.
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A Can’t-Miss Season Finale
With six divisions, championships on the line, and the Bennett Memorial legacy as the backdrop, Friday promises to be a night of unforgettable racing action. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and be part of the energy as the 2025 season reaches its thrilling conclusion at Lincoln Speedway.
For more information on Friday’s event, visit LincolnSpeedwayIL.com or follow Lincoln Speedway on social media.
