FASTEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR IS SET FOR MAY 17th
AT SALEM SPEEDWAY AS WINGED SPRINTS RETURN
SALEM, IN, May 9 – Excitement is building for the first open wheel race of the season at Salem Speedway on Saturday night, May 17th. The Scott County Visitors Commission Calvin Gilstrap Classic, presented by Stewart Automotive & Transmission, features the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series (HOSS) and three stock car divisions.
“We are certainly looking forward to our first sprint car race of the season,” said track general manager Richard Deaton. “Nothing compares to the speed and excitement of winged sprint cars on the high banks.”
The May 17th race is in remembrance of popular Salem native, Calvin Gilstrap, who lost his life in a racing accident several years ago at Bloomington Speedway.
Former Salem winners, Kevin Feeney of Oxford, Mich., and Greg Wheeler of Columbia City, Ind., headline an expected entry list, which includes a mixture of wily veterans and young chargers.
“Feeney and Wheeler definitely know the quick way around Salem Speedway,” said Deaton. “However, you can always expect the unexpected when the winged sprint cars pay a visit to Salem.”
Aaron Pierce of Muncie, Ind., pulled off the big surprise one year ago, as he drove Mike Blake’s, No. 81 sprinter to a convincing win in the 30-lap main event.
Pierce and Blake are hoping to team up again when the winged warriors roll in to Salem on May 17th.
Feeney, a three-time Salem winner, holds the one-lap track record at Salem. During the 2006 season the personable Michigan driver posted a blistering lap of 14.377-seconds. That figures out to an average speed of over 138-mph.
Feeney and his car owner, Jim Hanks, returned to Salem last year with a brand new car and high expectations. However, a somewhat slower qualification time and disappointing 12th place finish in the main event has the potent duo returning to the record-setting machine, complete with familiar yellow paint scheme, for the 2008 Classic.
Wheeler, the two-time defending HOSS champion, and Feeney can expect plenty of competition from the likes of USAC veteran Tim Cox of Park City, Ill., who finished second in last year’s race and Geoff Kaiser of Ft. Wayne, Ind., among others.
Ageless veterans Hank Lower, 70, of Angola, Ind., and Ron Koehler, 71, of South Bend are also expected for the only Salem appearance for the winged sprint cars this season.
Sharing the high banks with the sprints on May 17th with be the Lucas Oil Super Stocks, Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks and McDonald’s FWD Stocks.
As an added attraction, the Bartholomew Co. Shrine Club will be making an appearance at the Calvin Gilstrap Classic with their mini-racecars. The Columbus, Ind., based Shrine Club entertains throughout the summer at parades and other area events.
Spectator gates open at 3:30 p.m. on May 17th, with practice at 4:00, qualifications at 5:30 and the first race at 7 p.m. (EDT).
Advance general admission tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $3 for children (age 7-12). Kids six and under are admitted free. Advance tickets are available at the Speedway office or by calling 812-883-6504 or toll free 1-888-2Go-Race (1-888-246-7223).
SPRINT CAR CHAMPION CALVIN GILSTRAP
TO BE REMEMBERED ON SATURDAY, MAY 17
SALEM, IN, April 29 – Salem native and sprint car champion, Calvin Gilstrap, will be remembered on Saturday night, May 17th at Salem Speedway, as the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series returns to the high banks for the Scott County Visitors Commission Calvin Gilstrap Classic, presented by Stewart Automotive & Transmission.
Gilstrap, an avid racer for over 30 years, made his mark on the dirt-tracks of Southern Indiana, battling the likes of Bob Kinser, Dick Gaines, Butch Wilkerson, Roy Robbins and others. He won multiple championships and numerous races before losing his life in a racing accident at Bloomington Speedway during the 1976 season. He was 48 years old.
The personable Gilstrap, who was a fan favorite at many tracks, ventured off the dirt on occasion to race at his hometown Salem Speedway in USAC and ASA sprint car competition.
Sharing the high banks with the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series on May 17th will be the Lucas Oil Super Stocks, Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks and McDonald’s Front-Wheel-Drive Stocks.
Spectator gates open at 3:30 p.m., with practice at 4:00, qualifications at 5:30 and the first race at 7 p.m. (EDT).
Tickets, both reserved and general admission, are currently selling for the Scott County Visitors Commission Calvin Gilstrap Classic, presented by Stewart Automotive & Transmission. For tickets or more information call 812-883-6504 or toll free 1-888-246-7223.
SALEM, IN, May 6 – Several of the Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stock drivers will be doing double duty during the Scott County Visitors Commission Calvin Gilstrap Classic presented by Stewart Automotive & Transmission on Saturday night, May 17 at Salem Speedway. Twin 40-lap feature races are on tap for the street stockers, with the first main event being a make-up race from the rain hampered ARCA weekend. Only cars that were entered for the April 13th race will be allowed to compete in the first 40-lap race…The Street Stock division has a bumper crop of National City Bank Rookie of the Year candidates for the 2008 season. Beau Crawford of Floyds Knobs, Ind., currently tops a field of six rookie competitors. Other first time street stock competitors include Tim Cline, Justin Pirtle, Brandon Deckard, Rick Kelly and David Russell…Frank Kimmel II will be going for his fifth consecutive Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stock victory, dating back to last season, when the field rolls off for the start of the Ford Dealers 40 on May 17th. Three-time series champion, John Collins, currently holds the Salem record for consecutive wins in that division with five (during the 2003 season). Kimmel’s father, nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel, recorded five consecutive ARCA victories at Salem during the 2000-2001 and 2002 seasons…Kyle Hadley of Louisville returned to a race car for the first time in nearly a year on April 26th and finished a strong fourth in the Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stock Casey’s Homemade To Go 40. Hadley, who has been battling health related problems, hadn’t raced since competing in the Frank Kimmel Enduro at Kentucky Speedway in May of 2007…2006 Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stock champion, David Bayens, returned to the Lucas Oil Super Stock division in 2008 and wasted no time picking up his first career victory in the division. Baynes, who has nine career Super Stock starts to his credit and last raced in the division during the 2002 season, captured the season opening Federated Auto Parts 40…Chris French, the defending Lucas Oil Super Stock champion, and Todd Kempf, who won back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005, both reached milestones in the Super Stock division on April 26. The True Value Paint 40 marked the 50th career Super Stock start for French and 70th for Kempf. Kempf is currently seventh on the all-time start list. Six-time series champion Chuck Barnes Sr. tops the list with 153 career starts to his credit…Longtime area late model racer Tony Johnson of Louisville has returned to the Salem high banks for the first time in several years. Johnson is planning on competing with the Lucas Oil Super Stock division during the 2008 season in a car owned by Scott Eiklor of Eiklor Flames…Another late model driver scheduled to join the Super Stock wars is veteran Shepherdsville, Ky., driver Joe Williamson. Williamson, a two-time Papa John’s Late Model champion is schedule for a return to the Super Stock division on May 17th…Former McDonald’s Dash Series driver Todd Carr of Lexington, Ind., is expected to make his inaugural start with the Lucas Oil Super Stocks on May 17th in a car he purchased from Todd Richey…Pastor Ron Lasley, another former Dash Series competitor, is also planning a return to racing at Salem later this season in the Super Stock division.
JONES, TRENT, BAYNES, KEMPF AND KIMMEL
VICTORIOUS AT SALEM SPEEDWAY ON SATURDAY
SALEM, IN, April 28 – Kyle Jones, Danny Trent, David Baynes, Todd Kempf and Frank Kimmel II came away the big winners from Saturday’s Casey’s General Store Spring Speed Fest, presented by Salem True Value Hardware, at Salem Speedway.
Jones dominated in winning the Casey’s General Store 40 for the O’Reilly USA Modified Series. The Germantown, Ohio, driver, who was making his first Salem start, also posted a new modified track record during qualifications and finished second in the 6-lap dash.
Mike Zordan held off a host of challengers to finish second in the main event, while Tom Jewell was third, Brad Springer fourth and Scott Coe fifth.
Danny Trent of Martinsville, Ind., survived the attrition filled Salem True Value 40 for the ARA Limited Late Models and registered his second career Salem victory.
Trent, despite encountering problems on a late race restart, was not to be denied and easily regained the lead after dropping to the tail of the field. Veteran Keith Lyons finished a distant second, with Reed White third, Mark Sweet fourth and Brian Hedge fifth.
David Baynes, making his first Lucas Oil Super Stock start in a number of years, captured the Federated Auto Parts 40. The victory was Bayens’ first career win in the Super Stock division at Salem.
Finishing second in the Federated Auto Parts 40, which was halted by rain after 11 laps on April 13th, was Skeeter Crum of Jeffersonville, Ind. Todd Kempf of Huntingburg, Ind., rounded out the top three.
Kempf ended the evening by winning the True Value Paint 40 for the Lucas Oil Super Stocks, with Chris French finishing second and Mike Sharp third.
Frank Kimmel II of Borden, Ind., won a hard fought Casey’s Homemade To Go 40 for the Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks. The third generation driver battled Brian Bayer and Casey Heavrin most of the way before pulling out his fourth consecutive street stock win at Salem, dating back to last season.
Bayer of Birdseye, Ind., finished a strong second, with Heavrin of Jeffersonville third, Kyle Hadley of Louisville fourth and New Albany’s Tim Clemons fifth.
Racing returns to the Salem Speedway high banks on Saturday night, May 17th, as the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series headlines the Scott County Visitors Commission Calvin Gilstrap Classic, presented by Stewart Automotive & Transmission.
Joining the winged sprints will be the Lucas Oil Super Stocks, Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks and McDonald’s Front-Wheel-Drive Stocks.
Spectator gates open at 3:30 p.m., with practice at 4:00, qualifications at 5:30 and the first race at 7 p.m. (EDT)
ALLGAIER HOLDS OFF SCHRADER TO WIN
KENTUCKIANA FORD DEALERS ARCA 200
SALEM, IN, April 13 – ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran Justin Allgaier fought off NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran Ken Schrader in the final laps Sunday afternoon at Salem Speedway to win the wild Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 presented by Federated Auto Parts.
Allgaier, with eight lead-lap machines lined up directly behind, also endured a green-white-checker finish en route to the victory, his career third series triumph and second consecutive at Salem. As a result, Allgaier became the first driver to win back-to-back at Salem since Shelby Howard swept both races in 2003.
“Wow that was fun,” said Allgaier. “Kenny battled us all night. It felt like I followed him forever. We were out of tires with 20 to go. He (Schrader) pitted to get his last set with 15 to go. He was right on my bumper; he was fast but he just couldn’t get a run on us. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. To win this race, holding off Kenny Schrader; I mean, the guy’s my hero. I can’t tell you how much I look up to him. He helped get me my start in racing. And to be the first driver to win back-to-back since Shelby Howard is really something.”
Schrader, on fresher tires, pressured the eventual winner continuously during the last 20 laps but could not find a way around Allgaier, who led the final 36 circuits.
“It wasn’t like we weren’t trying,” said Schrader. “We wanted the win as much as Justin did. But it was a pretty good weekend overall for the Federated Auto Parts Dodge crew; I’ll take it. And I couldn’t be happier for the Allgaier’s. They’re a first-class family; I’ve known them a long time. Justin earned it today; he’s one heck of a good racer. Looking forward to running Rockingham and Toledo.”
Matt Carter, in Larry Clement’s no. 46 Stine Seed-Hantz Group-Pork Ford, was in the mix all afternoon and finished third after leading 60 laps. Carter’s finish also earned him the SunTrust Rookie of the Race honors.
“I thought we were going to be able to have a pretty good battle going for a while there but we had to pit with about 20 to go to put a pair of right side tires on,” said Carter. “We had a right rear that was starting to come apart. The Stine Seed Ford was really good and I think that our performance here today really showed everybody that this 46 car can come here and race competitively.”
Eight-time Salem winner Frank Kimmel, in the no. 44 Interstate Equipment Ford, battled back to finish fourth after a few on-track skirmishes that resulted in unscheduled pit stops.
Formula 1 veteran Scott Speed, making his career-first short-track start, steered the Red Bull Toyota to the finish in fifth, a career series best for the Manteca, California driver.
The race, delayed three hours for rain, started under caution with SIM Factory Pole Award winner Schrader scored as the leader for the first 15 laps. However, as soon as the race went green on lap 16 Carter slipped by to take the lead. Carter and Schrader swapped the lead back and forth before both pitted for scheduled pit stops under caution just past the halfway point. Back under green, Speed passed Carter for lead before Schrader regained control of the top-spot on lap 152. With Allgaier right behind, Schrader got pinned in traffic allowing Allgaier to make his move for the lead on lap 169, one he would not relinquish. Schrader, under caution, pitted one more time for right-side tires and worked his way back to the front to challenge for the win.
A multi-car pile-up off turn two on lap 29 ended the day for several including James Hylton, Josh Clemons, Michael Phelps and Tayler Malsam. Brett Hudson, Jake Francis, Ken Butler III and Dexter Bean were also involved but were able to return to competition. There were no injuries.
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., in the no. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, finished a career-best sixth with series rookie John Wes Townley trailing in seventh in the Zaxby’s-SBS-BB&T Ford, also a career-best finish. Bryan Silas finished eighth in the Nortrax-Fast Track Driving School Chevrolet. Terry Jones finished ninth in his own Jones Group Dodge, the last driver to finish on the lead lap. Veteran Norm Benning earned the Casite Hard Charger Award for his 10th place finish after starting 26th.
Schrader, who led 100 laps, was also the Klotz Half Way Leader and posted the Accel Fastest Lap of the Race. Crew chief Donnie Richeson earned Cometic Crew Chief of the race honors.
The final two races of the day, the Federated Auto Parts 40 for the Lucas Oil Super Stocks and Ford Dealers 40 for the Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks, were postponed due to light rain returning to the area.
The Super Stock race was suspended after 11 laps with David Bayens leading. Both races will be rescheduled as part of another racing program later in the season.
Racing returns to the high banks on Saturday evening, April 26, as five divisions visit the high banks for the Casey’s General Store Spring Speed Fest, presented by Salem True Value Hardware. The O’Reilly USA Modified Series, ARA Limited Late Models, Lucas Oil Super Stocks, Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks and McDonald’s Front Wheel Drive (FWD) Stocks are all scheduled to compete.
FOR McDONALD’S FWD STOCKS
Salem Speedway officials recently announced the standard purse payout for the new McDonald’s FWD Economy division that is scheduled for seven races at the half-mile, high banked oval in 2008.
The payout is as follows: (1) $150, (2) $100, (3) $75, (4) $65, (5) $60, (6) $55, (7) $50, (8) $45, (9) $40, (10) $35, (11) $30, (12) $25, (13) $20, (14) $15, (15) $10.
Salem Speedway officials also announced that the June 7 McDonald’s FWD event will be a joint race with the CRA Vore's Welding and Steel FWD Compacts
TOUCHSTONE ENERGY TO BE PRESENTING
SPONSOR OF HOOTERS PRO CUP SERIES 200
SALEM, IN, January 25 – Touchstone Energy, a
national alliance made up of more than 640 local, consumer-o
wned
electric cooperatives in 46 states, has signed on as presenting sponsor of
the 2008 Hooter’s Pro Cup Series 200 at Salem Speedway.
“We are very pleased to have Touchstone Energy and Southern Indiana cooperatives involved with this major event at Salem Speedway,” said track general manager Richard Deaton.
The seventh annual Hooters Pro Cup Series 200, presented by Touchstone Energy, features the cars and stars of the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, as seen on Speed Channel.
The Myrtle Beach, SC, based stock car division is quickly gaining a reputation for providing some of the most competitive racing of the season at Salem. The first six Hooters Pro Cup Series races at Salem have produced six different winners.
Touchstone Energy co-ops associated with the Hooters Pro Cup 200 include Hoosier Energy REC, Inc., Clark Co. REMC, Daviess-Martin County REMC, Jackson Co. REMC, Orange Co. REMC, Southern Indiana REC and Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC.
Tickets, both reserved and general admission, are currently selling for the June 28th race, which also features the Lucas Oil Super Stocks and Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks. For tickets or more information call 812-883-6504 or toll free 1-888-246-7223.
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL EVENTS HEADLINE
DIVERSE 2008 SALEM SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE
SALEM, IN, Dec. 31 – One of the most diverse schedule line-ups in the 62 year history of Salem Speedway is set for 2008 and includes visits by ARCA, USAC, Hooters Pro Cup Series, ASA, CRA, Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series, the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League and others.
“The 2008 Salem Speedway schedule is outstanding from top to bottom,” said track general manager Richard Deaton. “The fans have spoken and we have responded with a line-up of old favorites and exciting new additions. It certainly would be difficult to find another short-track in the country with a more diverse and exciting schedule.”
Among the old favorites is the ARCA RE/MAX Series which headlines the 2008 season opener, the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 by Federated Auto Parts, on Sunday afternoon, April 13th. A second ARCA RE/MAX Series event, the Eddie Gilstrap Motors Fall Classic 200, is scheduled for Saturday night, Sept. 13th. The fall race also features the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series.
Another Salem favorite, the Hooters Pro Cup Series, returns to the high banks on Saturday, June 28th for the 7th annual Hooters Pro Cup 200, presented by Touchstone Energy.
Late model racing is well represented on the 2008 Salem Speedway slate with a couple of highly touted touring series – the ASA Late Models and CRA Super Series. The ASA Late Models visit the high banks for the first time on Saturday night, July 19th for a 200-lap “Challenge Series” event. Saturday, June 7th marks the return of the popular CRA Super Series to Salem Speedway for the Hoosier Hills 100. A second CRA Super Series event is set for Saturday, August 16th.
The USAC Lucas Oil National Sprint Car Series visits the venerable Salem oval for a rare Sunday afternoon appearance on August 3rd for the traditional Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial.
The winged sprint cars of the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series return to Salem on Saturday night, May 17th for the Calvin Gilstrap Classic.
The exciting USA Modifieds and ARA Limited Late Models headline five divisions scheduled for the Spring Speed Fest, presented by Salem True Value Hardware, on Saturday night, April 26th.
The much anticipated return of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League is set for Saturday night, May 31st. The eighth annual Hoosier Classic Truck & Tractor Pull will feature the ground-pounding power of 10,000 Pro Stock Tractors, plus smoke-blowing Super Farm Tractors and the extreme Pro Mod 4WD Trucks.
Two Salem Speedway divisions – Lucas Oil Super Stocks and Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks – are scheduled for regular appearances on the high banks during the 2008 season. A new Front Wheel Drive Economy Division is also in the planning stages with races scheduled for the upcoming season.
Other traditional events planned for 2008 includes the 19th annual Papa John’s Firecracker 200 on July 4th, and the season ending 20th annual Halloween 200 on October 26th.
Among non-racing events scheduled for the Speedway in 2008 is a big Christian music concert and festival, called “Takin’ It To The Streets”, on Sunday, August 10th. Eight hours of live music and festivities are planned.
Additional information concerning 2008 activities at Salem Speedway, including ticket information, may be obtained by calling 812-883-6504 or toll free 1-888-246-7223.
For the complete 2008 Salem Speedway schedule of events click on the Schedule icon at left.