Illinois State Fair racing weekend August 18-20. Action-packed with USAC Silver Crown, ARCA, USAC Midgets, MOWA 410 Winged Sprints, and more!

[TEI PR]

The biggest Central Illinois race weekend of the year is coming up Friday-Sunday, August 18-20, 2023. It all begins with MOWA Sprint Cars at Lincoln Speedway on Friday, August 18 before heading to the Illinois State Fair on Saturday and Sunday afternoon for Silver Crown, ARCA, and Sportsman. In addition, don't forget about Macon Speedway featuring the USAC Midgets on Saturday night. Full details below...

Illinois State Fair Racing
Friday-Saturday-Sunday, August 18-19-20
Illinois State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL

Friday Night, August 18
Midwest Open Wheel Association MOWA Sprints + 4 Classes
Lincoln Speedway

Saturday, August 19
Illinois State Fair
USAC Silver Crown Series
60th Running Bettenhausen 100 Presented by Hunt Brothers Pizza
+ 30th Annual Illinois Sportsman Nationals DIRTcar Racing Sportsman Prelims
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 SPRINGFIELD TIMES:
7:00 AM Pits & Registration
9:00 AM Ticket Office & Grandstands
10:00-11:10 AM Silver Crown Practice
11:30 AM Silver Crown Qualifying
12:00 PM Sportsman Hotlaps
12:30 PM Silver Crown B-Main
1:00 PM Sportsman Heats
1:30 PM Pre-Race Ceremonies
2:00 PM USAC Silver Crown 60th Running Bettenhausen 100 Presented by Hunt Brothers Pizza

Saturday Night, August 19
NOS Energy Drink USAC Midgets + Mods & Hornets
Macon Speedway

Sunday, August 20
Illinois State Fair
Menards ARCA RACING SERIES
61st Annual Dutch Boy 100
+ 30th Annual Illinois Sportsman Nationals
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 SPRINGFIELD TIMES:
6:30 AM Pits & Registration
8:30 AM Ticket Office & Grandstands
10:00 AM ARCA Practice
10:30 AM Sportsman Practice
11:15 AM General Tire ARCA Pole Qualifying
11:45 PM 30th Annual Illinois Sportsman Nationals
1:00 PM 60th Annual Dutch Boy 100
(*Don’t forget our two other local shows the same weekend, Lincoln Speedway Friday, August 18 and Macon Speedway Saturday night, August 19.)

SPRINGFIELD TICKET INFO:
Tickets will be available on raceday or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.
Save Big Money on Discounted General Admission tickets for Sunday available at local Menards.

RESERVED SEATING
Advance Tickets (Presale)
$25 Adults Per Day
$10 Children 11 & Under Per Day
Day Of Tickets (At Gate)
$30 Adults Per Day
$10 Children 11 & Under Per Day

INFIELD TICKETS
$20 Adults
$5 Children 11 & Under

PIT PASSES
$40 Adults Each Day
$20 Children 11 & Under Each Day
$50 Two-Day Pit Pass

INFIELD PARKING
$5 For Those Parking On Infield With No Infield Or Pit Passes

HOST HOTELS
Carpenter Street Hotel
888-779-9100 or www.carpenterstreethotel.com

 

[TEI PR]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=985799275969811

View: https://www.facebook.com/TrackEnterprises/videos/985799275969811

 

[TEI PR]

Sportsman entries have been rolling in for next weekend’s Sportsman nationals at the Illinois State Fair. Just a few reminders for Sportsman competitors…
* Pre-Entry deadline is Monday for discounted early entry
* Body rules will be enforced per the dimension sheet attached
* Shock claim is $150 per shock and top three finishers will be claimed

 

[TEI PR]

43 USAC SILVER CROWN CARS & DRIVERS ENTERED FOR SATURDAY’S BETTENHAUSEN 100

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Springfield, Illinois (August 14, 2023)………One of the largest fields in recent USAC Silver Crown history is set for battle during the 60th running of the Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza this Saturday, August 19, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The entry list of 43 entries for Saturday’s race on the Springfield Mile are tied for the most cars to appear in any USAC Silver Crown event since 2005.* The 2018 Bettenhausen 100 also featured a lineup of 43 cars and drivers.

Among this year’s crop are five past Bettenhausen 100 winners: reigning race champion Shane Cockrum of Benton, Ill. (2022), three-time victor Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. (2014-15-21), two-time winner A.J. Fike of Galesburg, Ill. (2012-13), plus single time winners Russ Gamester of Peru, Ind. (1998) and Justin Grant of Ione, Calif. (2017).

Current point leader Kody Swanson is a seven-time USAC Silver Crown champion, one of three past series titlists in the field along with Grant and Jerry Coons Jr. (Tucson, Ariz.).

A total of 11 past USAC Silver Crown main event winners are in Saturday’s field.* Six of those individuals are seeking their first triumph at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.* Among those in that category are series runner-up Logan Seavey (Sutter, Calif.), C.J. Leary (Greenfield, Ind.), Chris Urish (Elkhart, Ill.) and Aaron Pierce (Muncie, Ind.) along with Shane Cottle (Kansas, Ill.) who’ll make his debut for the Chris Dyson Racing team, which captured the 2021 Bettenhausen 100 with Kody Swanson at the wheel.

Two women are in Saturday’s field with Taylor Ferns (Shelby Township, Mich.) making her return to the Bettenhausen 100 lineup after a 10-year absence.* Kaylee Bryson (Muskogee, Okla.) put on a show a year ago at Springfield, leading a race-high 72 laps before finishing 5th.

Although not a Bettenhausen 100 Rookie, Bryson is the leading USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender in 2023, entering Saturday’s race third overall in the series standings.* She’s one of 14 Silver Crown Rookies in 2023 who are in this weekend’s field along with USAC National feature winners Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.), Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) and Dave Peperak (Clinton, Ind.).

Chase Dietz (York, Pa.) will make his first dirt mile appearance at Springfield with the USAC Silver Crown series following a runner-up finish in his series debut at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway in June along with fellow series newcomers Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Matt Mitchell (Yorba Linda, Calif.), Trey Burke (Alvin, Texas), Gary Dunkle (Lincoln, Neb.), Cary Oliver (Buncombe, Ill.), Ryan Thomas (Indianapolis, Ind.), Mitchell Davis (Auburn, Ill.), John Tosti (High Ridge, Mo.) and Tim Simmons (Cabot, Ark.).

Returning to the Springfield starting field are Kyle Steffens (St. Charles, Mo.), Patrick Lawson (Edwardsville, Ill.), Davey Ray (Davenport, Iowa), Jake Swanson (Anaheim, Calif.), Chris Fetter (Troy, Mo.), Travis Welpott (Pendleton, Ind.), Casey Buckman (Chandler, Ariz.), Dave Berkheimer (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), Gregg Cory (Shelbyville, Ind.), Danny Long (Bonne Terre, Mo.), Carmen Perigo (Stoystown, Pa.), Chase Stockon (Fort Branch, Ind.), Matt Westfall (Pleasant Hill, Ohio), Mario Clouser (Auburn, IL), Patrick Bruns (Champaign, Ill.), Korey Weyant (Springfield, Ill.) and Tom Paterson (Argos, Ind.).

*

RACE DETAILS:

On Saturday in Springfield, pits and registration open at 7am Central with the ticket office and grandstands opening at 9am, the drivers meeting at 9:30am, practice from 10am-11:10am, Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying at 11:30am, followed by the qualifying race, pre-race ceremonies and the 100-lap main event at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979.* Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under.* At the gate on race day, adults are $30 and $10 for children 11 and under.* Infield tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under.* Pit passes are $35 for USAC members and $40 for non-members.* Infield parking is $5 for those parking in the infield with no infield or pit passes.

Every lap of Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 will be aired live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/3AMU46z.

*
==================
*​

2023 BETTENHAUSEN 100 ENTRY LIST: (43 CARS)

07 (R) JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)

2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)

3 (R) TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)

5 (R) MATT MITCHELL/Yorba Linda, CA (DMW Motorsports)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)

9 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Chris Dyson Racing)

10 JAKE SWANSON/Anaheim, CA (DMW Motorsports)

11 (R) TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing/SRG)

12 (R) WAYNE JOHNSON/Oklahoma City, OK (Two C Racing)

15 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

20 (R) EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports)

24 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (John Haggenbottom)

25 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (C-Buck Motorsports)

26 (R) KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

32 GREGG CORY/Shelbyville, IN (Williams Racing)

34 (R) GARY DUNKLE/Lincoln, NE (Gary Dunkle)

44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)

51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)

52 CARMEN PERIGO/Stoystown, PA (John Stehman)

53 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL (Five Three Motorsports)

69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)

71 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (BLS Motorsports)

77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL (Chris Urish)

81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)

86 (R) CHASE DIETZ/York, PA (Bruce Lee)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)

95 PATRICK BRUNS/Champaign, IL (Full Throttle Racing)

97 (R) MITCHEL MOLES/Raisin City, CA (Hans Lein)

99 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)

110 (R) CARY OLIVER/Buncombe, IL (Cary Oliver)

111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)

118 (R) RYAN THOMAS/Indianapolis, IN (Wingo Brothers Racing)

126 AARON PIERCE/Muncie, IN (Sam Pierce)

156 (R) MITCHELL DAVIS/Auburn, IL (Pat O’Dell)

177 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)

555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)

777 (R) DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

*

BETTENHAUSEN 100 WINS:

7-Chuck Gurney

4-A.J. Foyt, Jack Hewitt & Brian Tyler

3-Mario Andretti, Dave Darland, Kody Swanson & Al Unser

2-Gary Bettenhausen, A.J. Fike, Jim Hurtubise & Bobby Olivero

1-Tom Bigelow, Don Branson, Pancho Carter, Steve Chassey, Shane Cockrum, Russ Gamester, Justin Grant, Tracy Hines, Kenny Irwin Jr., Kyle Larson, Roger McCluskey, Larry Rice, Jimmy Sills, George Snider, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Rodger Ward, Paul White, Cole Whitt, Chris Windom & J.J. Yeley

*

AAA / USAC CHAMP CAR WINNERS AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIRGROUNDS:

1934: Billy Winn

1935: Billy Winn

1936: Wilbur Shaw

1937: Mauri Rose

1938: Tony Willman

1939: Emil Andres

1940: Rex Mays

1947: Tony Bettenhausen

1948: Ted Horn & Myron Fohr

1949: Mel Hansen & Johnnie Parsons

1950: Paul Russo & Tony Bettenhausen

1951: Tony Bettenhausen

1952: Bill Schindler

1953: Rodger Ward & Sam Hanks

1954: Jimmy Davies

1955: Jimmy Bryan

1956: Jimmy Bryan

1957: Rodger Ward

1958: Johnny Thomson

1959: Len Sutton

1960: Jim Packard

1961: Jim Hurtubise

1962: Jim Hurtubise

1963: Rodger Ward

1964: A.J. Foyt

1965: A.J. Foyt

1966: Don Branson

1967: A.J. Foyt

1968: Roger McCluskey

1969: Mario Andretti

1970: Al Unser

1971: A.J. Foyt

1972: Al Unser

1973: Mario Andretti

1974: Mario Andretti

1975: Al Unser

1976: Tom Bigelow

1977: Larry Rice

1978: Gary Bettenhausen

1979: Bobby Olivero

1980: Pancho Carter

1981: George Snider

1982: Larry Dickson & Bobby Olivero

1983: Gary Bettenhausen

1984: Chuck Gurney

1985: Chuck Gurney

1986: Jack Hewitt

1987: Jack Hewitt

1988: Steve Chassey

1989: Chuck Gurney

1990: Chuck Gurney

1991: Chuck Gurney

1992: Jimmy Sills

1993: Jack Hewitt

1994: Chuck Gurney

1995: Kenny Irwin Jr.

1996: Chuck Gurney

1997: Dave Darland

1998: Russ Gamester

1999: Dave Darland

2000: Jack Hewitt

2001: Paul White

2002: J.J. Yeley

2003: Dave Darland

2004: Brian Tyler

2005: Brian Tyler

2006: Tracy Hines

2007: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

2008: Brian Tyler

2009: Cole Whitt

2011: Brian Tyler

2012: A.J. Fike

2013: A.J. Fike

2014: Kody Swanson

2015: Kody Swanson

2017: Justin Grant

2018: Chris Windom

2020: Kyle Larson

2021: Kody Swanson

2022: Shane Cockrum

 

[TEI PR]

A 3-YEAR WAIT: JACOB WILSON RETURNS TO USAC SILVER CROWN RACING AT SPRINGFIELD

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Springfield, Illinois (August 15, 2023)………The last time Jacob Wilson sat in a USAC Silver Crown car was on the Springfield Mile nearly three years ago when he finished with a solid top-five result.

Now the Crawfordsville, Ind. native and past dirt mile Silver Crown winner will make his return to the series for the first time since that day in 2020 at the very same spot for this Saturday’s 60th running of the Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 19.

Wilson, a veteran of 54 career Silver Crown starts, hasn’t exactly been sitting idle for the past handful of years.* During his hiatus from racing, he’s been busy building up and expanding the family business, Wilson’s 24-Hour Towing.* His brother and crew chief, Clint Wilson, recently got married and Jacob will tie the knot with his fiancée this September.

The busy off-track schedule may have taken him away from racing for a bit and made it a bit, but the drive is still there for the 33-year-old wheelman who also owns a pair of Little 500 Sprint Car victories at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway in 2013-14.

In May of this year, he made his first start in a racecar of any kind in several years, starting 17th and finishing 4th in the Little 500, but only after receiving a call to drive the car as a last-minute replacement the night before the first practice.

The fire never waned within Wilson, but that performance got the ball rolling, and just a few months later, he announced his return to the Silver Crown series.

“We’ve had the desire, but things just didn’t work out,” Wilson revealed.* “When things calmed down a little bit for us at work, we were able to get things put back together.”

The dirt miles are special, and they hold a special place in Wilson’s racing career.* Prior to his most recent Silver Crown start at Springfield in 2020, his last start before that was a victory on the Magic Mile at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in southern Illinois.

Known for a long time for his prowess on pavement tracks, the victory was a pleasant surprise for Wilson who soon discovered that the dirt miles fit him like a glove.

“It’s hard to believe that after all the Silver Crown races we’ve run and with all the pavement success we’ve had, that our first win would be on a dirt track,” Wilson remarked.* “The dirt miles seem to fit my driving style as you’re playing the patience game with strategy.* Hopefully we can replicate some of that and keep the fire going as far as our race team goes. *Being out of it for a little bit, it’s going to be getting out there and knocking 10 laps out and then go from there.”

Wilson feels that rust won’t be a factor, but getting back into the swing of things as he did while racing regularly with USAC between 2008-2020 will be a change from what he’s been accustomed to over the past three years.

“Knocking the rust off is not really a huge issue but it’s one of those deals in which I’d rather be doing it every weekend instead of once every three years,” Wilson said with a laugh.

Saturday’s race at Springfield is the plan for a resumption of his USAC Silver Crown career, which will also include a stop in the Ted Horn 100 at Du Quoin on Saturday, September 2, plus even more to come in the future.

“We’re going to hit the stuff we know,” Wilson revealed.* “We sold our dirt wing sprint cars.* It’s something we tried, but really didn’t fit me at all.* We’re trying to get back into stuff we know and love.* The crown cars have always held a special place in our heart – the miles, the big pavement tracks – it fits our style, and it seems like the events themselves, there’s just more prestige and more hype around them.* We’re looking to get back into some more and build into next year after having the winter to ramp up everything and take it from there.”

Wilson will take on Springfield with the same team, car and operation he left off with in 2020 during his last Silver Crown start aboard his Wilson Brothers Racing/RGT Sales – Lucas Oil – Wix Filters – FK Indy – JetStar/Maxim/Claxton Chevy.* He’ll have his brother, Clint, on the wrenches as well as USAC’s National Chief Mechanic of the Year, Matt Hummel, by his side once again as well.

“We’re excited,” Wilson exclaimed.* “Expectations are high, but we’re also realists about it.* A top-five would be a win after being out for so long.* But you’re never going to win with that as your goal, so we’ll see what we got.”

*

RACE DETAILS:

Jacob Wilson becomes the 45th entry for Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 field at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, which is the largest assemblage of USAC Silver Crown cars for a series event since 2005.

On Saturday in Springfield, pits and registration open at 7am Central with the ticket office and grandstands opening at 9am, the drivers meeting at 9:30am, practice from 10am-11:10am, Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying at 11:30am, followed by the qualifying race, pre-race ceremonies and the 100-lap main event at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979.* Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under.* At the gate on race day, adults are $30 and $10 for children 11 and under.* Infield tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under.* Pit passes are $35 for USAC members and $40 for non-members.* Infield parking is $5 for those parking in the infield with no infield or pit passes.

Every lap of Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 will be aired live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/3AMU46z.

*
==================
*​

2023 BETTENHAUSEN 100 ENTRY LIST: (45 CARS & DRIVERS)

07 (R) JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)

2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)

3 (R) TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)

5 (R) MATT MITCHELL/Yorba Linda, CA (DMW Motorsports)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)

9 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Chris Dyson Racing)

10 JAKE SWANSON/Anaheim, CA (DMW Motorsports)

11 (R) TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing/SRG)

12 (R) WAYNE JOHNSON/Oklahoma City, OK (Two C Racing)

14 STEVEN RUSSELL/Rochester, IL (McQuinn Motorsports)

15 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

20 (R) EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports)

24 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (John Haggenbottom)

25 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (C-Buck Motorsports)

26 (R) KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

32 GREGG CORY/Shelbyville, IN (Williams Racing)

34 (R) GARY DUNKLE/Lincoln, NE (Gary Dunkle)

44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)

51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)

52 CARMEN PERIGO/Stoystown, PA (John Stehman)

53 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL (Five Three Motorsports)

69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)

71 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (BLS Motorsports)

77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL (Chris Urish)

81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)

86 (R) CHASE DIETZ/York, PA (Bruce Lee)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)

95 PATRICK BRUNS/Champaign, IL (Full Throttle Racing)

97 (R) MITCHEL MOLES/Raisin City, CA (Hans Lein)

99 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)

107 JACOB WILSON/Crawfordsville, IN (Wilson Brothers Racing)

110 (R) CARY OLIVER/Buncombe, IL (Cary Oliver)

111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)

118 (R) RYAN THOMAS/Indianapolis, IN (Wingo Brothers Racing)

126 AARON PIERCE/Muncie, IN (Sam Pierce)

177 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)

555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)

777 (R) DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

 

[TEI PR]

Rookie Reimer to Test Springfield Clay for Venturini
By Jay Hardin Track Enterprises Staff

August 10, 2023-Springfield, IL-Twenty-three-year-old Midget standout and Oklahoma University student Taylor Reimer of Tulsa is the latest rookie to join Venturini Motorsports and make her ARCA Menard’s Series debut on the clay of the legendary Springfield Mile. The pilot of one of Keith Kunz Motor Sports Midgets in USAC, POWRi, and Xtreme comes to the August 20 Dutch Boy 100 with a wealth of dirt track experience and a team that has won six Springfield races in the last ten years.

Reimer began racing go karts at the age of six and eventually worked her way into micro sprints, becoming the winningest female driver in the history of Port City (Oklahoma) Raceway.

Taylor took a six-year break from the sport before returning. Driving midgets with a goal of one day racing in NASCAR, she made her Chili Bowl debut in 2021 and raced for DMac Motorsports before joining the Kunz operation in 2023.

This season, she has (at press time) six straight top 5 finishes in the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series, where she is sixth in the championship. She is also ninth in the USAC National Midget standings and fifth in the POWRi Midget League point standings. While she has yet to visit victory lane in a midget in 2023, she has numerous top 5 and top 10 finishes. While pleased with the consistency that puts her in contention for multiple titles, Reimer is hungry for that first win.

She will step into a car capable of winning the Dutch Boy 100 and a team that can help her navigate her first laps in a stock car on a dirt mile. Venturini won the Springfield event in 2013, 14, 18, 19, 21 and 22. Teammate, Toni Breidinger, made the transition from midgets to stock cars. Teammate Jesse Love has dirt track experience and won last year’s race. Reimer will have plenty of coaches before she exits pit lane for practice on the morning of August 20.
Reimer also joins a long list of female participants in the Dutch Boy 100. The best finish for a female driver at Springfield was the second of Hallie Deegan in October of 2020. Deegan led one lap near the end of the COVID postponed event.

Reimer would like to take that record from Deegan, doing so means a trip to victory lane. Her quest starts August 20 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on stock car Sunday. ARCA practice begins at 10 a.m., General Tire pole qualifying at 11 and the Dutch Boy 100 in memory of Allen Crowe at 1.

The event is all part of a huge weekend of racing that begins Friday night, August 18 at Lincoln Speedway featuring MOWA Sprint Cars, Saturday afternoon, August 19 with USAC Silver Crown and Sportsman at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Saturday night at Macon Speedway with USAC National Midgets, and Sunday afternoon, August 20 with the ARCA Dutch Boy 100 and the Sportsman Nationals at the Illinois State Fair.

Advance tickets for the Illinois State Fair races are available by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200, by calling the Illinois State Fair box office at 217-782-1979, or by stopping by the Illinois State Fair box office. Advance sale discounted tickets for the ARCA Menards Series event on Sunday, August 20 can be purchased in Central Illinois area Menards stores for a price of just $20.

 

[TEI PR]

Bryson Seeking History, Redemption in Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 in Springfield

By Jay Hardin Track Enterprises Staff

August 15, 2023-Springfield, IL- Kaylee Bryson made the USAC Silver Crown world stand up and take notice last October in the rain delayed Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. She became the first female driver to lead a championship dirt car race at the storied Springfield Mile in nearly 90 years of such contests and came within 4 spots and one cylinder of pulling off a historic win. With 100 miles of experience under her belt and finding the fast way around the old dirt mile, she returns Saturday with one goal in mind, a victory in the Bettenhausen 100 presented by Hunt Brothers Pizza.

The 60th running of the Bettenhausen continues a tradition of national championship dirt track racing that stretches back to 1934. In 2022, Bryson became the
first woman driver to lead championship car laps on the Springfield Mile and recorded the best Bettenhausen finish by a woman driver, 5th. All the while she wowed those in attendance with a drive reminiscent of famed earth mover Jud Larson running inches from the outer wall and throwing rooster tails of Illinois clay over the fence. What was even more amazing is she did so running on just seven of eight cylinders, her mount losing one shortly after the start.

Despite being down on horsepower she held off repeated challenges from C.J. Leary to lead 72 of the 100 miles, losing the lead to eventual winner Shane Cockrum on a lap 75 restart after a yellow of Korey Weyant’s stalled machine. Bryson would eventually be passed by Shane Cottle, Logan Seavey, and Kody Swanson before settling into fifth.

Bryson is running the full schedule for owner Aaron Pierce and challenging for USAC Silver Crown rookie of the year honors. She is currently third in the point standings 119 behind leader Kody Swanson. Her best finish in 2023 is a sixth at Toledo, she has three other top ten finishes so far in 2023. Come Saturday Bryson will be seeking the first major race win for a female in the history of racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, a history that began in the early 1900’s.

The 60th Bettenhausen 100 presented by Hunt Brothers Pizza is slated for Saturday, August 19. Practice is set for 10 a.m., qualifications at 11:30 and the 90th 100-mile national championship race on the Springfield Mile set for a 2 p.m. start.

The event is all part of a huge weekend of racing that begins Friday night, August 18 at Lincoln Speedway featuring MOWA Sprint Cars, Saturday afternoon, August 19 with USAC Silver Crown and Sportsman at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Saturday night at Macon Speedway with USAC National Midgets, and Sunday afternoon, August 20 with the ARCA Dutch Boy 100 and the Sportsman Nationals at the Illinois State Fair.

Advance tickets for the Illinois State Fair races are available by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200, by calling the Illinois State Fair box office at 217-782-1979, or by stopping by the Illinois State Fair box office. Advance sale discounted tickets for the ARCA Menards Series event on Sunday, August 20 can be purchased in Central Illinois area Menards stores for a price of just $20.

Allen Horcher Photo

 

[TEI PR]

6 SPRINGFIELD STORYLINES: 60TH RUNNING OF THE BETTENHAUSEN 100 ARRIVES SATURDAY

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Springfield, Illinois (August 17, 2023)………There’s nothing much better than dirt mile season on the racing calendar.

It’s a rare treat of high-speed racing courtesy of the USAC Silver Crown National Championship in front of the covered grandstands while the smell of deep fried Oreos and the sound of the Tea Cup ride fills the central Illinois air.

This Saturday’s 60th running of the Bettenhausen 100 Presented By Hunt Brothers Pizza truly will have it all when 44 of the bravest drivers and fastest dirt machinery graces the Springfield Mile under the daylight on August 19.

Here’s six storylines to whet your appetite as we prepare for state fair time at one of the most majestic settings in all of motorsports – champ car racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

*

BIGGEST FIELD AT SPRINGFIELD IN 22 YEARS

The monstrous 44-car entry list is the largest of any kind for the USAC Silver Crown series in 18 years!

The last time the field reached this level came in 2005 at Indianapolis Raceway Park when 46 arrived at the .686-mile paved oval.* That same season, 45 cars were on hand for the Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds dirt mile.

As for Springfield, you’ll have to go all the way back to 2001 to see a car count of this size when 48 signed in on that day 22 years ago.

Not only does this field of quality and quantity present a show that will produce a plethora of race-winning contenders.* The race to make the race will be just as crucial and competitive.

The top-24 qualifiers on time will be locked into the 100-lap main event.* The remaining 20 will be slotted into a 12-lap last chance qualifying race which will transfer only the top-six into the feature.

*

KODY GOING FOR FOUR

Kody Swanson enters the Bettenhausen 100 as the winner of the past three consecutive USAC Silver Crown races, all of which have come on pavement at Madison, Winchester and Toledo.

Swanson is one of only three drivers to have ever won at least four-in-a-row in series competition.* Tom Bigelow was the first to achieve the feat over a span of overlapping seasons in 1975-76.* Jack Hewitt did the same a decade later during his first championship season.* Furthermore, Bigelow and Hewitt’s winning streaks included a victory at Springfield.

In 2018, Swanson captured a series record five-in-a-row.* However, his streak came to an end that year when a steering issue knocked him out of the Springfield race while running near the front with just 30 laps to go.

Swanson has won three previous times at Springfield, in 2014, 2015 and 2021.* Now he aims to join an exclusive list of drivers to win at least four editions of the Bettenhausen 100: Chuck Gurney (7), A.J. Foyt (4), Brian Tyler (4) and Jack Hewitt (4).

*

COCKRUM – CHIEF OF THE ILLINOIS MILES

Illinois native Shane Cockrum (Benton, Ill.) made the move late in last year’s race to win at his home state track and become a first-time Bettenhausen 100 winner after leading the final 26 laps.

This year, he tries to become the 10th back-to-back winner in race history, following in the shoes of Jim Hurtubise (1961-62), A.J. Foyt (1964-65), Mario Andretti (1973-74), Chuck Gurney (1984-85), Jack Hewitt (1986-87), Chuck Gurney (1989-90-91), Brian Tyler (2004-05), A.J. Fike (2012-13) and Kody Swanson (2014-15).

Furthermore, Cockrum is just one of 26 drivers to win a AAA/USAC Champ Car race at both the Illinois State Fairgrounds and the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in his career.

Already a back-to-back winner at Du Quoin in 2014-15, this weekend, Cockrum will also attempt to become the sixth driver to win consecutively at both tracks in his career.* The lone five individuals to do so previously are among the heavyweights in the history of the sport: Mario Andretti, Tony Bettenhausen, Jimmy Bryan, A.J. Foyt and Jack Hewitt.

*

KAYLEE OUT TO FINISH WHAT SHE STARTED

Although she was passed late in the race by Shane Cockrum a year ago, it was Kaylee Bryson who stole the show early on during the running of the 2022 Bettenhausen 100.

After qualifying for the outside of the front row, the Muskogee, Okla. native proceeded to lead 72 of the first 74 laps while using the daunting high line despite an engine that was down a cylinder.

After bringing the crowd to a frenzied roar throughout, she went on to finish fifth, setting two records in the process as the first woman to lead a lap with the series and the first woman to finish inside the top-five of a dirt Silver Crown race.

Despite the run coming in just her third career series start, she is still considered a Rookie of the Year contender in 2023 with the series, and currently leads all Rookie drivers with a third place standing in the points behind only Kody Swanson and Logan Seavey.

On Saturday, she looks to become not only a first-time series winner but also the first woman to ever capture a USAC National feature victory.

*

FROM WAY DEEP IN THE SPRING-FIELD

Dating back to 2008, all drivers who have been credited as the hard charger of the Bettenhausen 100 have finished inside the top-10.

The dirt miles seemingly see a major advancement by a driver from the back of the pack on a regular basis.* These are the drivers who have managed to play their cards right and picked their spots correctly when making their move forward.

The last five runnings of the race have seen the following: Jeff Swindell (28th to 3rd in 2017), David Byrne (25th to 10th in 2018), David Gravel (26th to 2nd in 2020), Kody Swanson (23rd to 1st in 2021) and Brian Tyler (22nd to 6th in 2022).

Six drivers have been both the hard charger and the race winner of a champ car race at Springfield over the years: Johnnie Parsons (17th to 1st in 1949), Tony Bettenhausen (14th to 1st in 1951), A.J. Foyt (16th to 1st in 1964), Kenny Irwin Jr. (28th to 1st in 1995), Brian Tyler (21st to 1st in 2004) and Kody Swanson (23rd to 1st in 2021).

In fact, Irwin’s advancement from 28th is the largest in USAC Silver Crown history.* Additionally, Chuck Gurney’s move from 31st to 2nd back in the 1986 Bettenhausen 100 is the biggest charge in series history by a non-race-winner.

*

FIRST TIME SPRINGFIELDERS

An intriguing Rookie class will be on hand to take their first crack at the Springfield Mile.* Of note, only one driver to date has won in his first Bettenhausen 100 try, that being Cole Whitt in 2009.

This year’s crop taking on the dirt mile for the first time ever includes the likes of central Pennsylvania winged sprint car racer Chase Dietz (York, Pa.) who nearly won in his first career USAC Silver Crown start, finishing second at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway in June.

USAC National Sprint Car and National Midget winner Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) is also part of this group after setting quick time and a new track record in his most recent series outing at Port Royal.

Emerson Axsom (Franklin, Ind.), likewise a USAC National Sprint and Midget frontrunner, will be riding with the Nolen Racing team, which captured a 2018 Bettenhausen 100 victory with driver Chris Windom.

Silver Crown Rookie Trey Burke (Alvin, Texas) will make his dirt mile debut, and his family has a long lineage at Springfield.* Trey’s grandfather, Ronnie Burke made seven Bettenhausen 100 starts between 1972-1997, finishing a best of seventh in 1976.* Trey’s great uncle, Jackie Burke, made four Springfield starts between 1998-2015, taking 18th in 2014.

Wayne Johnson (Tuttle, Okla.) is on board for his first mile run in a champ car during his star-studded career, which has been almost exclusively in winged sprint cars.* USAC CRA Sprint Car standout Matt Mitchell (Yorba Linda, Calif.) will experience Springfield for the first time as will Indiana sprint car shoe Ryan Thomas (Indianapolis, Ind.).

*

RACE DETAILS

On Saturday in Springfield, pits and registration open at 7am Central with the ticket office and grandstands opening at 9am, the drivers meeting at 9:30am, practice from 10am-11:10am, Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying at 11:30am, followed by the qualifying race, pre-race ceremonies and the 100-lap main event at 2pm.

Tickets will be available on race day or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979.* Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.

Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 11 and under.* At the gate on race day, adults are $30 and $10 for children 11 and under.* Infield tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 11 and under.* Pit passes are $35 for USAC members and $40 for non-members.* Infield parking is $5 for those parking in the infield with no infield or pit passes.

Every lap of Saturday’s Bettenhausen 100 will be aired live on FloRacing at https://flosports.link/3AMU46z.

*
==================
*​

2023 BETTENHAUSEN 100 ENTRY LIST: (44 CARS)

07 (R) JOHN TOSTI/High Ridge, MO (John Tosti)

08 KYLE STEFFENS/St. Charles, MO (Gordon Steffens)

2 PATRICK LAWSON/Edwardsville, IL (Patrick Lawson)

3 (R) TIM SIMMONS/Cabot, AR (Tim Simmons)

5 (R) MATT MITCHELL/Yorba Linda, CA (DMW Motorsports)

6 C.J. LEARY/Greenfield, IN (Klatt Enterprises)

8 DAVEY RAY/Davenport, IA (Cornell Racing Stables)

9 SHANE COTTLE/Kansas, IL (Chris Dyson Racing)

10 JAKE SWANSON/Anaheim, CA (DMW Motorsports)

11 (R) TREY BURKE/Alvin, TX (Davey Hamilton Racing/SRG)

12 (R) WAYNE JOHNSON/Tuttle, OK (Two C Racing)

14 STEVEN RUSSELL/Rochester, IL (McQuinn Motorsports)

15 CHRIS FETTER/Troy, MO (Chris Fetter)

18 TRAVIS WELPOTT/Pendleton, IN (Welpott Racing)

20 (R) EMERSON AXSOM/Franklin, IN (Nolen Racing)

22 LOGAN SEAVEY/Sutter, CA (Rice Motorsports)

24 JERRY COONS JR./Tucson, AZ (John Haggenbottom)

25 CASEY BUCKMAN/Chandler, AZ (C-Buck Motorsports)

26 (R) KAYLEE BRYSON/Muskogee, OK (Sam Pierce)

31 DAVE BERKHEIMER/Mechanicsburg, PA (Berkheimer Racing)

32 GREGG CORY/Shelbyville, IN (Williams Racing)

34 (R) GARY DUNKLE/Lincoln, NE (Gary Dunkle)

44 DANNY LONG/Bonne Terre, MO (Danny Long)

51 RUSS GAMESTER/Peru, IN (Gamester Racing)

52 CARMEN PERIGO/Stoystown, PA (John Stehman)

53 A.J. FIKE/Galesburg, IL (Five Three Motorsports)

69 CHASE STOCKON/Fort Branch, IN (Pink 69 Racing)

71 SHANE COCKRUM/Benton, IL (BLS Motorsports)

77 CHRIS URISH/Elkhart, IL (Chris Urish)

81 MATT WESTFALL/Pleasant Hill, OH (BCR Group)

86 (R) CHASE DIETZ/York, PA (Bruce Lee)

91 JUSTIN GRANT/Ione, CA (Hemelgarn Racing)

92 MARIO CLOUSER/Auburn, IL (Kazmark Motorsports)

95 PATRICK BRUNS/Champaign, IL (Full Throttle Racing)

97 (R) MITCHEL MOLES/Raisin City, CA (Hans Lein)

99 KOREY WEYANT/Springfield, IL (Scott Weyant)

107 JACOB WILSON/Crawfordsville, IN (Wilson Brothers Racing)

110 (R) CARY OLIVER/Buncombe, IL (Cary Oliver)

111 TOM PATERSON/Argos, IN (Tom Paterson)

118 (R) RYAN THOMAS/Indianapolis, IN (Wingo Brothers Racing)

126 AARON PIERCE/Muncie, IN (Sam Pierce)

177 KODY SWANSON/Kingsburg, CA (Doran-Binks Racing)

555 TAYLOR FERNS/Shelby Township, MI (Taylor Ferns Racing)

777 (R) DAVE PEPERAK/Clinton, IN (Dave Peperak Motorsports)

(R) represents a USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year contender

 

[TEI PR]

IT IS NIGHT BEFORE THE MIL RACE DAY AT LINCOLN SPEEDWAY!

A huge weekend of great racing in Central Illinois all begins with a race car show at Farm and Home Supply - Lincoln (Lincoln, IL) in Lincoln, IL. Anyone wanting to display their cars at the store and get some extra attention for their sponsors as well as help us promote the races, call Bob Rankin from Farm and Home Supply at 217-737-7841. They'd love to have you there.
Farm & Home Supply Night

Come on out for a great prelude to some great racing action on the final weekend of the Illinois State Fair, all put on by the Track Enterprises team as well at the mile. Also don't forget Saturday night to join our friends at Macon Speedway for a big night as well! LET'S GO RACING! Full details below

Night Before State Fair Race
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023

Divisions:
Built Ford Tough Midwest Open Wheel Association 410 Winged Sprint Cars
Midwest Big Ten Series DIRTcar Pro Late Models
DIRTcar Racing Modifieds
MARA Racing Midgets by AgVenture, Inc./ Wehmeyer Seed Company
DIRTcar Hornets

Times:
Farm & Home Supply Car Show: 12:00-4:00
Pits: 4:00
Stands: 5:00
Local Pill Draw Ends: 5:50
Hotlaps: 6:00
Racing: 7:00

Grandstand Pricing:
Adults – $20
Children 11 & Under – Free
Tickets as well as all pit passes will be sold at track on raceday

Hotels:
Hampton By Hilton - Lincoln, IL
(217) 732-6729
Comfort Inn & Suites - Lincoln, IL
(217) 735-5800
Call the hotel and mention the Lincoln Speedway discount

About Lincoln Speedway:
For more information on the track, follow Lincoln Speedway online at www.lincolnspeedwayil.com, on Facebook (Lincoln Speedway), and Twitter (@LincolnILSpdwy). Updates are also available by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.

Lincoln Speedway is located at the Logan County Fairgrounds, in Lincoln, IL. The physical address is 1408 Short 11th St., Lincoln, IL 62656.

Lincoln Speedway races a number of DIRTcar UMP classes as well as specials on a near bi-weekly schedule of Friday and Sunday evenings. The track is also home to the DIRTcar Fall Nationals.

Lincoln Speedway is a proud member of the Contingency Connection's $100,000 Racer Rewards Program.