The young man known simply as "Kid Rocket" in dirt late model circles has joined forces with two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion and 2003 Southern Illinois 100 winner Tony Stewart to debut the Tony Stewart Racing ARCA stock car in the 55th running of the Federated Car Care-Southern Illinois 100 at the DuQuoin State Fair on Labor Day. Nineteen year old Josh Richards of Shinnston, West Virginia joins an entry list for the Southern Illinois 100 that at this time has 42 entries with drivers representing nineteen different states, including nine drivers from Illinois, one female from Arizona and for the first time in DuQuoin history a native of France!
It was known for sometime that Richards, a veteran of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Lucas Oil Late Model Series and the UMP Late Models was a strong possibility for a run on the "Magic Mile" at DuQuoin but that dream became reality this week as Stewart purchased a stock car from his own NASCAR owner Joe Gibbs and the car is currently being prepared by Tony Stewart Racing team members. Richards joins another youngster who has a similar background in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) RE/MAX Series, Patrick Sheltra of Indiantown, Florida is also a veteran of the World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil late model series, Sheltra ran 4th at the Allen Crowe 100 on the Illinois State Fair one mile dirt oval on August 19 and comes to DuQuoin as a contender for the Federated-Southern Illinois 100.
Richards seeks to make his ARCA debut in the heavier cars on the big mile at DuQuoin and will be trying to make a field that is one of the most talented and diverse in the 57 year history of stock car racing on the Southern Illinois oval. The entry list, 46 cars strong at this time includes 8 time ARCA champ and 5 time Southern Illinois 100 winner Frank Kimmel, defending Southern Illinois 100 winner and NASCAR star Ken Schrader, former ARCA champ Bill Baird, current ARCA rookie Michael McDowell and former USAC star Josh Wise among the drivers looking to post a victory on the historic DuQuoin 'Magic Mile'.
The 55th Federated Car Care-Southern Illinois 100 for the ARCA RE/MAX Series is slated for 1 p.m. Monday, September 3 at the picturesque DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster, the DuQuoin State Fair Box Office at 618-542-1535 or Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200.
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Announcements flew in bunches this week about the upcoming Ted Horn 100 at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds and perhaps the most important was the
decision to include the prestigious 100 mile dirt track classic on the USAC television schedule on the VS channel for 2007. Last year's USAC Silver Crown event at DuQuoin was slated to be televised as well, but on the Outdoor Channel.
Television coverage of motorsports at DuQuoin has an off again and on again history, ranging from CBS television coming in 1976 for the Ted Horn 100, to NBC televising the 1979 race, to ESPN broadcasts during the 1980's, Speed TV and their coverage of ARCA stock car events to the USAC coverage of recent years. With the improvements made to the "Magic Mile" and a powerful MUSCO lighting system race fans world wide should see a spectacular show of the September 2 race which is scheduled to be aired on October 27 at 3 p.m. Central Time on the VS. channel.
One of the drivers performing for that world wide racing audience will be celebrating a belated 63rd birthday at DuQuoin with a good chance of becoming the oldest driver ever to win a Silver Crown championship event, Speedway, Indiana's Johnny Parsons turned 63 on August 26 and is a two-time winner of the Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin. Parsons continues a long association with Benton, Illinois car owner Ricky Nix at DuQuoin.
Parsons, whose two wins came in 1992 and 1995, ran a strong 6th at Springfield and with a start at DuQuoin becomes the all-time leader in Silver Crown Series history for starts with 149. A two time USAC Silver Crown Series runner up, the 12 time Indy 500 starter has 23 Silver Crown starts at the "Magic Mile", tied with 1971 USAC Silver Crown and 1971 Ted Horn 100 winner George 'Ziggy' Snider. Parsons can break that record by making the 30 car field at DuQuoin this Sunday night.
The 63 year old Parsons is chasing another DuQuoin record, that of the oldest starter in Ted Horn 100 history, an honor currently held by Jim McElreath who was 64 when he ran the 1992 event. Parsons needs at least two more years to shatter that mark. One record that the two-time winner does hold is the 100-mile race record, set in 1992 which is also a world record for 100 miles on the dirt, the 56:03 winning time of Johnny Parsons on 1992 computes to an average speed of 107.047 miles an hour.
Tickets are going fast for the 57th Ted Horn 100 set on Sunday night September 2. Tickets can be obtained through Ticketmaster, the DuQuoin State Fair Box office at 618-542-1535 or at Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200.
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UMP MODIFIEDS COMPETE FOR OLDANI TROPHY
The open wheel modified stock cars of the United Midwestern Promoters series invade the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds over Labor Day weekend for one of their biggest annual events, the 14th running of the Best Western-Bill Oldani Memorial on the "Magic Mile". The traditional two-day show begins Sunday night September 2 as part of the USAC Silver Crown Ted Horn 100 evening at DuQuoin and concludes on Labor Day in conjunction with the Federated Car Care-Southern Illinois 100.
The Best Western-Oldani Memorial for the UMP Modifieds gives the stars of the local and area bullring short tracks the opportunity to gain some high-speed experience on one of the most historic racing facilities in the world, the mile of clay at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. Drivers also get an opportunity to run before a variety of car owners, sponsors and media members which enhances the possibility of furthering their racing career.
Drivers competing weekly at such tracks as Paducah International Raceway, Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway, Tri State Speedway in Indiana, Tri City
Speedway, Belleville, Highland, Mt. Vernon, Macon and Farmer City in Illinois are expected to make the trip to DuQuoin for the Oldani Memorial, as are drivers from Missouri and perhaps Arkansas. The lure of the DuQuoin mile has pulled drivers from as far away as Texas. Brian Shaw of Robinson, Illinois picked up his second Oldani trophy in 2006 and set a track record for the 20-miles in the process. Other drivers expected are 2005 winner Jeff Parks of Marion and former ARCA RE/MAX driver Mark Voigt of Marine, Illinois. Other local modified pilots expected for the Oldani Memorial are Steve Adams of Humboldt, Illinois Fall Nationals winner Curt Rhodes of Taylorville, Mike Tuttle of Murphysboro, Rich Lentz of Herrin, Gabe Regot of St. Charles, Missouri and Danny Sissom of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. All are past participants of the Oldani Memorial.
A practice session and heat races for the 14th annual Best Western-Bill Oldani Memorial will be held during the evening of September 2, 2007 on the DuQuoin "Magic Mile" as part of the 57th Ted Horn 100. Another practice session plus any needed semi-features will be held the next day with the 20-mile Best Western-Oldani Memorial taking place just prior to the 55th Southern Illinois 100 for the ARCA RE/MAX series on Labor Day.
Tickets for the racing action on both days are on sale now at the DuQuoin State Fair box office by calling 618-542-1535, Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200 or at any Ticketmaster location. Additional information and entry rules can be found at www.trackenterprises.com.
Winners of the Bill Oldani Memorial at DuQuoin
1994 1 LARRY HUGHES/HUGHES PACING SPL.
1995 41 JOE COOKSEY/COOKSEY RACING
1996 1 LARRY HUGHES/HUGHES RACING SPL.
1997 3 TOM BURNSIDE/BURNSIDE RACING
1998 17 JIM SHERECK/DAIRY QUEEN
1999 4 KEVIN GUNDAKER/GUNDAKER HOMES
2000 11 KYLE STEFFENS/CHEVY'S MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
2001 11z BRYAN COLLINS/COLLINS MOTORSPORTS
2002 1 BRIAN SHAW/SHAW RACING-S&S
2003 30 Mark Voigt/Hueser Truck
2004 1 Brian Shaw/S&S Racing
2005 75 Jeff Parks/Short Brothers Construction
2006 1 Brian Shaw/WTHI-Robinson Bowling Center
Ticket prices for both days are
Advance Adults $20.00
Children 11 & under $10.00
Day of Show Adult $25.00
Children 11 & under $10.00
One day pit pass $25.00
Two day pit pass $35.00
It was known for sometime that Richards, a veteran of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Lucas Oil Late Model Series and the UMP Late Models was a strong possibility for a run on the "Magic Mile" at DuQuoin but that dream became reality this week as Stewart purchased a stock car from his own NASCAR owner Joe Gibbs and the car is currently being prepared by Tony Stewart Racing team members. Richards joins another youngster who has a similar background in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) RE/MAX Series, Patrick Sheltra of Indiantown, Florida is also a veteran of the World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil late model series, Sheltra ran 4th at the Allen Crowe 100 on the Illinois State Fair one mile dirt oval on August 19 and comes to DuQuoin as a contender for the Federated-Southern Illinois 100.
Richards seeks to make his ARCA debut in the heavier cars on the big mile at DuQuoin and will be trying to make a field that is one of the most talented and diverse in the 57 year history of stock car racing on the Southern Illinois oval. The entry list, 46 cars strong at this time includes 8 time ARCA champ and 5 time Southern Illinois 100 winner Frank Kimmel, defending Southern Illinois 100 winner and NASCAR star Ken Schrader, former ARCA champ Bill Baird, current ARCA rookie Michael McDowell and former USAC star Josh Wise among the drivers looking to post a victory on the historic DuQuoin 'Magic Mile'.
The 55th Federated Car Care-Southern Illinois 100 for the ARCA RE/MAX Series is slated for 1 p.m. Monday, September 3 at the picturesque DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster, the DuQuoin State Fair Box Office at 618-542-1535 or Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200.
_____________________________________________________________________
Announcements flew in bunches this week about the upcoming Ted Horn 100 at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds and perhaps the most important was the
decision to include the prestigious 100 mile dirt track classic on the USAC television schedule on the VS channel for 2007. Last year's USAC Silver Crown event at DuQuoin was slated to be televised as well, but on the Outdoor Channel.
Television coverage of motorsports at DuQuoin has an off again and on again history, ranging from CBS television coming in 1976 for the Ted Horn 100, to NBC televising the 1979 race, to ESPN broadcasts during the 1980's, Speed TV and their coverage of ARCA stock car events to the USAC coverage of recent years. With the improvements made to the "Magic Mile" and a powerful MUSCO lighting system race fans world wide should see a spectacular show of the September 2 race which is scheduled to be aired on October 27 at 3 p.m. Central Time on the VS. channel.
One of the drivers performing for that world wide racing audience will be celebrating a belated 63rd birthday at DuQuoin with a good chance of becoming the oldest driver ever to win a Silver Crown championship event, Speedway, Indiana's Johnny Parsons turned 63 on August 26 and is a two-time winner of the Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin. Parsons continues a long association with Benton, Illinois car owner Ricky Nix at DuQuoin.
Parsons, whose two wins came in 1992 and 1995, ran a strong 6th at Springfield and with a start at DuQuoin becomes the all-time leader in Silver Crown Series history for starts with 149. A two time USAC Silver Crown Series runner up, the 12 time Indy 500 starter has 23 Silver Crown starts at the "Magic Mile", tied with 1971 USAC Silver Crown and 1971 Ted Horn 100 winner George 'Ziggy' Snider. Parsons can break that record by making the 30 car field at DuQuoin this Sunday night.
The 63 year old Parsons is chasing another DuQuoin record, that of the oldest starter in Ted Horn 100 history, an honor currently held by Jim McElreath who was 64 when he ran the 1992 event. Parsons needs at least two more years to shatter that mark. One record that the two-time winner does hold is the 100-mile race record, set in 1992 which is also a world record for 100 miles on the dirt, the 56:03 winning time of Johnny Parsons on 1992 computes to an average speed of 107.047 miles an hour.
Tickets are going fast for the 57th Ted Horn 100 set on Sunday night September 2. Tickets can be obtained through Ticketmaster, the DuQuoin State Fair Box office at 618-542-1535 or at Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200.
____________________________________________________________________-
UMP MODIFIEDS COMPETE FOR OLDANI TROPHY
The open wheel modified stock cars of the United Midwestern Promoters series invade the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds over Labor Day weekend for one of their biggest annual events, the 14th running of the Best Western-Bill Oldani Memorial on the "Magic Mile". The traditional two-day show begins Sunday night September 2 as part of the USAC Silver Crown Ted Horn 100 evening at DuQuoin and concludes on Labor Day in conjunction with the Federated Car Care-Southern Illinois 100.
The Best Western-Oldani Memorial for the UMP Modifieds gives the stars of the local and area bullring short tracks the opportunity to gain some high-speed experience on one of the most historic racing facilities in the world, the mile of clay at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. Drivers also get an opportunity to run before a variety of car owners, sponsors and media members which enhances the possibility of furthering their racing career.
Drivers competing weekly at such tracks as Paducah International Raceway, Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway, Tri State Speedway in Indiana, Tri City
Speedway, Belleville, Highland, Mt. Vernon, Macon and Farmer City in Illinois are expected to make the trip to DuQuoin for the Oldani Memorial, as are drivers from Missouri and perhaps Arkansas. The lure of the DuQuoin mile has pulled drivers from as far away as Texas. Brian Shaw of Robinson, Illinois picked up his second Oldani trophy in 2006 and set a track record for the 20-miles in the process. Other drivers expected are 2005 winner Jeff Parks of Marion and former ARCA RE/MAX driver Mark Voigt of Marine, Illinois. Other local modified pilots expected for the Oldani Memorial are Steve Adams of Humboldt, Illinois Fall Nationals winner Curt Rhodes of Taylorville, Mike Tuttle of Murphysboro, Rich Lentz of Herrin, Gabe Regot of St. Charles, Missouri and Danny Sissom of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. All are past participants of the Oldani Memorial.
A practice session and heat races for the 14th annual Best Western-Bill Oldani Memorial will be held during the evening of September 2, 2007 on the DuQuoin "Magic Mile" as part of the 57th Ted Horn 100. Another practice session plus any needed semi-features will be held the next day with the 20-mile Best Western-Oldani Memorial taking place just prior to the 55th Southern Illinois 100 for the ARCA RE/MAX series on Labor Day.
Tickets for the racing action on both days are on sale now at the DuQuoin State Fair box office by calling 618-542-1535, Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200 or at any Ticketmaster location. Additional information and entry rules can be found at www.trackenterprises.com.
Winners of the Bill Oldani Memorial at DuQuoin
1994 1 LARRY HUGHES/HUGHES PACING SPL.
1995 41 JOE COOKSEY/COOKSEY RACING
1996 1 LARRY HUGHES/HUGHES RACING SPL.
1997 3 TOM BURNSIDE/BURNSIDE RACING
1998 17 JIM SHERECK/DAIRY QUEEN
1999 4 KEVIN GUNDAKER/GUNDAKER HOMES
2000 11 KYLE STEFFENS/CHEVY'S MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
2001 11z BRYAN COLLINS/COLLINS MOTORSPORTS
2002 1 BRIAN SHAW/SHAW RACING-S&S
2003 30 Mark Voigt/Hueser Truck
2004 1 Brian Shaw/S&S Racing
2005 75 Jeff Parks/Short Brothers Construction
2006 1 Brian Shaw/WTHI-Robinson Bowling Center
Ticket prices for both days are
Advance Adults $20.00
Children 11 & under $10.00
Day of Show Adult $25.00
Children 11 & under $10.00
One day pit pass $25.00
Two day pit pass $35.00
