[Racer Duck]

Anderson Speedway officials have announced a 400 Lap Midget Classic will be held at the historic Speedway on July 26, 2007. Home to the prestigious Pay Less Little 500 held annually each Memorial Day weekend, Anderson Speedway is making preparations for one of the most unique and exciting races in its 61 year history. “This is a project I have been working on for quite some time” said Rick Dawson, President of the Speedway. “May 24, 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Pay Less Little 500 and I felt this would be a great time to start another tradition at our track with the addition of a long distance Midget race. The response I have gotten from the fans and competitors I have shared this with has been overwhelming and I expect it to be a huge event for the track and City of Anderson. In no way will this new event overshadow the great tradition of the Pay Less Little 500, yet I expect the two events to compliment each other.”

Specific details about the race including rules and ticket information will be forthcoming after the first of the year. However, the event is expected to cover three days including practice on Thursday, July 24th, practice and qualifying on Friday, the 25th and the race will take the green flag at 8:00 pm on the 26th. The basic format will be a 400 lap race with a break at lap 200. The cars will make live pit stops in the infield just as the sprint cars do at the Pay Less Little 500. Although not finalized, the purse structure is expected to pay the winner a minimum of $7,500 with last place receiving a minimum of $1,200 for the expected 32 car field. Officials are working on a “Lucky Dog” similar to the NASCAR Sprint Cup rule, to make it possible for more competitors to be on the lead lap during the second half of the race.

“I would not be at all surprised to see 70 to 80 cars from all over the country to try to make this race” said Dawson. “We are going to configure the rules, both technical and race procedural, to be as fair and simple as possible as we have done with the Little 500. The midpoint break is necessary, at least this first year, to insure the batteries in the Midgets will endure 400 grueling laps. I believe Joe Helping built this track for Midgets and a 400 Lap Midget race should prove exciting and competitive.”

The 400 Lap Midget Classic is expected to become an annual event held the night before the prestigious Allstate 400 at the Brickyard NASCAR Sprint Cup series race and the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fans will be treated to a weekend full of racing action at the two Central Indiana Speedways.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Anderson Speedway officials have announced a 400 Lap Midget Classic will be held at the historic Speedway on July 26, 2007. Home to the prestigious Pay Less Little 500 held annually each Memorial Day weekend, Anderson Speedway is making preparations for one of the most unique and exciting races in its 61 year history. “This is a project I have been working on for quite some time” said Rick Dawson, President of the Speedway. “May 24, 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Pay Less Little 500 and I felt this would be a great time to start another tradition at our track with the addition of a long distance Midget race. The response I have gotten from the fans and competitors I have shared this with has been overwhelming and I expect it to be a huge event for the track and City of Anderson. In no way will this new event overshadow the great tradition of the Pay Less Little 500, yet I expect the two events to compliment each other.”

Specific details about the race including rules and ticket information will be forthcoming after the first of the year. However, the event is expected to cover three days including practice on Thursday, July 24th, practice and qualifying on Friday, the 25th and the race will take the green flag at 8:00 pm on the 26th. The basic format will be a 400 lap race with a break at lap 200. The cars will make live pit stops in the infield just as the sprint cars do at the Pay Less Little 500. Although not finalized, the purse structure is expected to pay the winner a minimum of $7,500 with last place receiving a minimum of $1,200 for the expected 32 car field. Officials are working on a “Lucky Dog” similar to the NASCAR Sprint Cup rule, to make it possible for more competitors to be on the lead lap during the second half of the race.

“I would not be at all surprised to see 70 to 80 cars from all over the country to try to make this race” said Dawson. “We are going to configure the rules, both technical and race procedural, to be as fair and simple as possible as we have done with the Little 500. The midpoint break is necessary, at least this first year, to insure the batteries in the Midgets will endure 400 grueling laps. I believe Joe Helping built this track for Midgets and a 400 Lap Midget race should prove exciting and competitive.”

The 400 Lap Midget Classic is expected to become an annual event held the night before the prestigious Allstate 400 at the Brickyard NASCAR Sprint Cup series race and the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fans will be treated to a weekend full of racing action at the two Central Indiana Speedways.

Wow! Since this is the track I once ran on, years and years ago, if any one has any questions, ask away.

Anderson Speedway [was Sun Valley Speedway when i was there) is the past home of ASA. It's a 1/4-mile (fence measurement) high-banked asphalt track with around 28° banks in the turns and 14° (I think) on the straights. Think a duplicate of Bristol but only half the size.

The Little 500 they mention is run the Saturday before the Indy 500. It starts 33 sprint cars three abreast and runs 500 laps. The four-lap qualifying record for this thing stands at a tick over 44 seconds but the fastest lap is down around 10 seconds flat! The following link shows what this field looks like.Anderson Speedway "The World's Fastest High-Banked Quarter Mile Oval!"

Probably the most popular regular racing they have is Figure-Eight racing. I've seen these things have some serious speed when they hit the cross-over. I see they're going to run something called "Outlaw Figure Eights?" This will probably be very interesting.

This 400-lap midget race will be a good show.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Wow! Since this is the track I once ran on, years and years ago, if any one has any questions, ask away.

Anderson Speedway [was Sun Valley Speedway when i was there) is the past home of ASA. It's a 1/4-mile (fence measurement) high-banked asphalt track with around 28° banks in the turns and 14° (I think) on the straights. Think a duplicate of Bristol but only half the size.

The Little 500 they mention is run the Saturday before the Indy 500. It starts 33 sprint cars three abreast and runs 500 laps. The four-lap qualifying record for this thing stands at a tick over 44 seconds but the fastest lap is down around 10 seconds flat! The following link shows what this field looks like.Anderson Speedway "The World's Fastest High-Banked Quarter Mile Oval!"

Probably the most popular regular racing they have is Figure-Eight racing. I've seen these things have some serious speed when they hit the cross-over. I see they're going to run something called "Outlaw Figure Eights?" This will probably be very interesting.

This 400-lap midget race will be a good show.

It would be a good show anytime, but on the brink of the Brickyard 400 it'll be awesome!!!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

It would be a good show anytime, but on the brink of the Brickyard 400 it'll be awesome!!!

You should see the Little 500 sometime. As far as I'm concerned (I'm a bit biased), the Little 500 is the best race held on a 1/4-mile track in the USA.

Did you go to the site and look at the drivers who have competed in the Little 500. Being a Texan, I'm sure you'll recognize Johnny Rutherford, Don Branson and JIm McElreath. I was there the night Parnelli Jones won it. If you notice the names of the competitors are a who's who of sprint car aces (Tom Bigelow, Larry Dickson, Jason Leffler, Ronnie Duman, Russ gamester and Tracey Hines. Then you throw in a couple of notable modified drivers (Buzzy Reutimann and Bentlet Warren).

Yep. My hometown race has some history.