By John Supinie
MACON, Ill. – Track Enterprises, Inc. announced the Central Illinois Chevrolet Stores will serve as the title sponsor for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards 100-mile stock car race on the historic mile dirt track at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The SuperChevyStores.com 100 is set for Aug. 17 in Springfield. The Central Illinois Chevy Stores form a consortium of 12 locations stretching across the region.
The SuperChevyStores.com 100 is one of two races on dirt in the 20-race ARCA Racing Series season. The unique events bring together dirt track racers from all backgrounds. The Illinois State Fair has a long tradition of stock car racing, and ARCA began sanctioning the event in 1983.
“I’m extremely happy to have the Central Illinois Chevy Stores on board for this year,’’ said Bob Sargent, president of Track Enterprises, Inc., and the race promoter. “There’s nothing more American than a Chevy and racing on a mile dirt track at the state fair.’’
This is the 52nd time the famed Springfield Mile hosts stock car racing. ARCA takes center stage on the world’s fastest mile dirt track on the final day of the 162nd annual Illinois State Fair. The ARCA Racing series presented by Menards is in its 62nd season.
Last summer, Brennan Poole raced to the thrilling ARCA win in Springfield after locals Kelly Kovski, driving for Allgaier Motorsports, and A.J. Fike were black flagged for jumping a late restart before a large crowd and an NBC Sports Network television audience. Kovski wanted to become the second Springfield native to ever win a championship race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in more than 70 years of sanctioned championship auto racing. Fike, of Galesburg, attempted to complete the weekend sweep after winning the previous day on the Springfield Mile in a Silver Crown open-wheel race.
Other stock car winners on the Springfield Mile include Frank Kimmel, Parker Kligerman, Justin Allgaier, Ken Schrader, AJ Foyt, Al Unser, Ramo Stott, Don White, Roger McCluskey, Bob Keselowski, Jack Bowsher, Bobby Isaac, Bob Keselowski, Tim Steele and Dean Roper.