Lipkey, Ruttman, Elliott highlight Hall inductions
Many of the greats of United States Auto Club (USAC) racing are included in the USAC Hall of Fame and now more are being added. I remember how thrilled I was when Johnny Thomson, my alltime favorite racer, was voted into the Hall. For several years when I was a youngster I ran the Johnny Thomson Fan Club. He made his home in Boyertown so I got to visit with him often. He had an impressive record in Sprint cars at the old Reading Fairgrounds Speedway and was a winner at Langhorne Speedway. Still have the membership card after more than 50 years.
Four drivers, a race organizer and a chief mechanic comprise the six initial 2018 inductees into the USAC Hall of Fame. They will be joined by two additional inductees in a formal celebration of their accomplishments during an early-September USAC event in Indianapolis, Ind.
The official induction ceremony will take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in Indianapolis, Ind. on Thursday, September 6, prior to USAC’s Driven 2 Save Lives BC39 P1 Insurance National Midget race which will unfold on the brand-new IMS infield dirt oval. The festivities
are all part of the buildup to IMS’ Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard NASCAR race, scheduled September
Highlighting the seventh annual USAC Hall of Fame inductions will be former USAC Technical Director and Chief Mechanic Mike Devin, USAC’s first-ever race organizer Bill Lipkey, plus Indianapolis 500 champion Troy Ruttman, and USAC driving champions Tony Elliott, Paul Goldsmith and Jimmy Sills.
Online voting for the final two additional 2018 inductees into the USAC Hall of Fame will be available on the USAC website soon at www.usacracing.com.
The P1 Insurance United States Auto Club (USAC) National Midget Tour will make the third annual appearance at Lanco’s Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway in Newmanstown, PA, Battleground Lanco: Part III will take place on Saturday evening, August 4, 2018.
This season, current P1 Insurance USAC National Midget Championship point’s leader Logan Seavey leads the Midwest contingent into the Keystone State for PA Midget Week. The National tour’s two-time winner, driving one of the potent Keith Kunz Midgets, makes his Pennsylvania debut after opening a lot of eyes with an impressive top-ten effort in his initial NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Eldora Speedway on July 18.
A few of the drivers from the USAC Eastern Midget Series (formerly American Racing Drivers Club) getting set to defend their home turf include “the Phenom” Alex Bright, this season’s hottest driver on the Eastern Midget circuit, Adam Pierson, Ryan Greth, and Kenny Miller III, the former ARDC Rookie of the Year.
Joining the USAC Midgets on the racing card will be the Wingless 600 sprints.
This comes from AutoWeek’s Matt Weaver.
While the rest of the motorsports world marveled over the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competing on dirt at Eldora Speedway recently, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship leader Kyle Busch lobbied for something more traditional.
Earlier in the week, Eldora Speedway track owner Tony Stewart suggested that his facility was ready and willing to host a NASCAR Xfinity Series race … and perhaps a Cup show.
During an appearance on NBC Sports’ NASCAR America, Busch stated a preference to see more asphalt bullrings added to the Xfinity Series schedule instead.
“I’m cool with it. I think it would be fun to see, one, “Busch said of the Xfinity Series at Eldora Speedway. “Two, I think it’s great that the trucks have that; let’s leave it special for the trucks. (The trucks) haul around dirt all the time.
“My Toyota Camry … ain’t gonna go around out there and haul around dirt.”
Tony Stewart wants fans to pressure NASCAR for an Xfinity or Cup race at Eldora. Now in its sixth season, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on the dirt at Eldora Speedway has remained a crown jewel on the motorsports calendar. It’s definitely unique as the dirt race ...
Specifically, Busch would prefer to see more pavement short tracks in NASCAR. Currently, only Martinsville, Bristol and Richmond fit the mold of true short tracks across all three national tours. During the late 90s and early 2000s, the Trucks and Busch Grand National raced numerous short tracks.
It’s what Busch grew up watching and wanting to do in addition to being a big track Cup Series star.
“I think Trucks and Xfinity should be doing more (short tracks) than the mile-and-a-half stuff,” Busch added. “Trucks and Xfinity should go to Pensacola (Five Flags Speedway), go to (Fairgrounds Speedway) Nashville, South Boston and Hickory
… and make those races that anybody can sign up to run.”
New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP), Millville, NJ, has partnered with KSR Motorsports to bring you three Monster Truck and Thrill Shows August 3, 4 and 5. The Inspira Health Network Monster Truck & Thrill Show will feature fan favorites: Bigfoot, Killer Bee, Toxic, Anillilator, and Temporarily Insane. The world record breaking motorcycle daredevil Doug Danger, the wall of fire and ATV racing will also highlight all three shows.
Family Activities starting at 5pm! Family fun activities include Monster Truck Rides, Fan Zone offering inflatables and interactive games, and pre and post-show Pit Party where fans get to check out the trucks up close, take pictures, and get autographs from the drivers.
This is one of the most requested events by their fans.
Tailgate on the famous Thunderbolt Raceway! Fans will have the option of tailgating in the Trackside Tailgate Zone located on the Thunderbolt Raceway. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to catch all the pre-event set up and action. BBQ grills, tents (up to 10x10), and coolers will only be allowed in the tailgate zone. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be brought onsite, but can be purchased at the concession stands or General’s Store.
Upgrade to the Monster Truck VIP Experience! Join the party and view the excitement from the climate controlled Officers’ Club overlooking the Inspira Health Network Monster Truck & Thrill Show. VIP upgrade includes early entrance at 4:00 p.m., BBQ buffet, cash bar, private autograph session with Monster Truck drivers at 6:00 p.m., and a private elevated viewing deck to watch all the car crushing action! Monster Truck VIP ticket holders also receive reserved grandstand seating to offer even more viewing locations and enhance fan experience.