WAYNE CITY, Ill. (Aug. 16, 2013)—The Jason Leffler Memorial, a $5,000-to-win event sanctioned by the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and sponsored by Great Clips, will be held Aug. 28 at Wayne County Speedway with proceeds going to the Charlie Dean Leffler Discretionary Fund.
The Leffler Memorial was organized by track owner Doug Stringer to honor his long-time friend who died in a sprint car crash on June 12. Leffler was 37 and is survived by his five-year old son, Charlie Dean. He raced in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, won USAC’s National Midget championship from 1997 through 1999 and had two victories in Nationwide and one in Trucks. Leffler also drove in the 1999 Indianapolis 500, finishing 17th.
“This race is my way to honor Jason, who was a great racer, but more importantly a great father to Charlie Dean,” Stringer explained. “Jason’s passing has left a hole in the hearts of many of us who loved him and had the honor of calling him our friend. As we continue to mourn, we must keep Charlie Dean in the forefront of our minds and do everything we can to ensure he grows up knowing what an amazing person his father was and how much he was respected as both a driver and a friend.”
In addition to the POWRi Midget regulars including 2012 champion Andrew Felker and Zach Daum, three-time USAC National Driving champion Bryan Clauson, 2012 Honda USAC National Dirt champion Darren Hagen and 2000 USAC Silver Crown and 2002 USAC Sprint Car champion Tracy Hines have committed to the Leffler Memorial. The list of short track drivers expected to enter is expected to grow.
Leffler drove in cars sponsored by Great Clips in Nationwide from 2006 through 2011. The world’s largest salon brand will sponsor Shane Hmiel Racing’s Hagen and Justin Grant in the Leffler Memorial.
Stringer has committed 100 percent of the spectator gate and 50 percent of the pit gate revenue to the Charlie Dean Leffler Discretionary Fund. Tickets are $10 and pit passes $35. The pit gate will open at 3 p.m. and spectator gates at 5 p.m. There will be a driver autograph session from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.
MAVTV American Real will broadcast the Leffler Memorial on an October date to be determined.