[BobKoorsen]

PAYNE’S RUMBLE IN FORT WAYNE DREAM RIDE CONTINUES
‘The Jersey Jet’ Set to Return to Cockpit of Tony Stewart’s Famed Munchkin

FORT WAYNE, IN (November 29, 2024) – For Brick Township, NJ racing veteran, Joey Payne, this year’s
26th Rumble in Fort Wayne presented by Jason Dietsch Trailer Sales (Dec. 27/28) will be the continuation
of a dream and further fulfillment of his bucket list. Affectionately known among the racing fraternity as
‘the Jersey Jet’, Payne will be behind the wheel of Tony Stewart’s famed Munchkin designed Midget.

“It’s an absolute honor to drive for Tony,” quipped Payne. “This year I will be back in the legendary
number 2 machine, as Tony is now on ‘daddy duty’, with the recent birth of his son. It’s my goal to get
Dominic, Tony and Leah their first victory as a new family.”

That machine is no stranger to victory lane, as Stewart has piloted it to 12 Rumble victories, more than
any other driver.

“Tony and I have been friends for 35 years, and while I began racing indoors at Niagara Falls in the late
80’s and continue to race indoors with the Len Sammon’s promotions on the East Coast, the Rumble had
always been on my bucket list. The competition at Fort Wayne and the list of drivers that have
conquered the 1/6 mile concrete oval is legendary.”

“I finally got to the Rumble in 2018, and a couple of years ago Tony put me in one of his cars as a
teammate to himself and Mike Fedorcak. That was cool, but last year was the ultimate. With Tony
recovering from shoulder surgery and being unable to race, I got the call to drive. We were in position to
win Friday night but got caught up in an oil spill and then Saturday I was involved in a 10-car pileup on
the first lap and I was done.”

“None-the-less, it was fun and I look forward to returning to Fort Wayne, Indiana December 27 and 28
as this place holds more memories than just racing. When Tony got his last win inside the Expo Center, I
proposed to my wife Kimee in victory lane. Now I owe her a win there.”

Joining the Midgets each day inside the massive Allen County War Memorial Coliseum & Expo Center
will be LiUNA Non-Winged 600cc Midgets, North Baltimore Custom Cuts Winged 600cc Midgets, 6 classes of Coe
Heating/Economy Auto Parts Go-Karts, Wedge Innovations Wedge Karts and 6 classes of BRE Racing Engines Quarter Midgets.

Advance tickets for the Rumble in Fort Wayne go on sale Monday, December 2 at 10:00 a.m. They can
be purchased at the Coliseum box office during normal business hours or through Ticketmaster. The top
six rows of the spectator seating areas will be reserved seating ($25), while the remaining areas will be
general admission ($23). Tickets will be available each day of the event as well. Pit passes are not sold in
advance.

More information at: www.rumbleinfortwayne.com
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