Center Line, Mich. - Team Mopar's Dave Steele and Kyle Nicholas are set to return to California's Irwindale Speedway for the 65th Annual Turkey Night Grand Prix, with both drivers seeking a victory to end the 2005 racing season.
Steele will be a man on a mission, as mechanical gremlins sidelined him early on in last year's event. He'll be pursued by Nicholas, who has his sights set on winning his first USAC National Midget Car Series event on Thanksgiving night. With both racers gunning for top runs, the action is sure to heat up the November air.
Steele, a highly respected open-wheel racing standout, will seek his third Turkey Night Grand Prix title. The Floridian has found Irwindale Speedway to be to his liking, having set quick time at the facility for past USAC National Midget Car Series events. His No. 02 machine will be powered by a Gary Stanton-built Mopar engine, which the veteran notes will be to his benefit.
"There will be several tough teams to beat," Steele said. "But we've got everything in order to be just as prepared. We've definitely got the engines to win with, as the Mopars are quick on the restart. Irwindale is definitely one place you want to have that advantage. With all of our preparation and equipment, we'll be in good shape for Turkey Night."
On the other end of the spectrum, series rookie Nicholas will look to make his second start at Irwindale Speedway. Nicholas made an impressive USAC National Midget Car Series debut in the 2004 Turkey Nigh Grand Prix, driving to a solid Top-10 finish. Competing in several USAC National Midget and Sprint Car Series events throughout the season, Nicholas hopes to materialize his experience into a victory.
"We're shooting for a win," Nicholas said. "Both Dave and I race to win, and I think we've got a very good chance to do so at Irwindale. This race carries a bit more pressure, with the prestige and history behind it, but we've worked hard to prepare for the event. I'm confident that we'll be in contention for the win at the end of the race."
Nicholas will also debut a new Web site in early November, as race fans can now keep up with him by logging on to www.kylenicholas.com. Steve Elliott of Elliottbrand Designs created and maintains the Web site.
Practice for the 65th Annual Turkey Night Grand Prix will begin at 3 p.m. PST on Wednesday, November 23. The pit gate will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 24, with qualifications beginning at 4 p.m. PST. Racing is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. PST. The 100-lap main event featuring the USAC National Midget Car Series will conclude the 2005 season.
For more information regarding Mopar, Steele, Nicholas or USAC Racing, log on to www.moparspeed.com, www.mopar.com, www.davesteele.com, www.kylenicholas.com or www.usacracing.com.
Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep® vehicles.
Steele will be a man on a mission, as mechanical gremlins sidelined him early on in last year's event. He'll be pursued by Nicholas, who has his sights set on winning his first USAC National Midget Car Series event on Thanksgiving night. With both racers gunning for top runs, the action is sure to heat up the November air.
Steele, a highly respected open-wheel racing standout, will seek his third Turkey Night Grand Prix title. The Floridian has found Irwindale Speedway to be to his liking, having set quick time at the facility for past USAC National Midget Car Series events. His No. 02 machine will be powered by a Gary Stanton-built Mopar engine, which the veteran notes will be to his benefit.
"There will be several tough teams to beat," Steele said. "But we've got everything in order to be just as prepared. We've definitely got the engines to win with, as the Mopars are quick on the restart. Irwindale is definitely one place you want to have that advantage. With all of our preparation and equipment, we'll be in good shape for Turkey Night."
On the other end of the spectrum, series rookie Nicholas will look to make his second start at Irwindale Speedway. Nicholas made an impressive USAC National Midget Car Series debut in the 2004 Turkey Nigh Grand Prix, driving to a solid Top-10 finish. Competing in several USAC National Midget and Sprint Car Series events throughout the season, Nicholas hopes to materialize his experience into a victory.
"We're shooting for a win," Nicholas said. "Both Dave and I race to win, and I think we've got a very good chance to do so at Irwindale. This race carries a bit more pressure, with the prestige and history behind it, but we've worked hard to prepare for the event. I'm confident that we'll be in contention for the win at the end of the race."
Nicholas will also debut a new Web site in early November, as race fans can now keep up with him by logging on to www.kylenicholas.com. Steve Elliott of Elliottbrand Designs created and maintains the Web site.
Practice for the 65th Annual Turkey Night Grand Prix will begin at 3 p.m. PST on Wednesday, November 23. The pit gate will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 24, with qualifications beginning at 4 p.m. PST. Racing is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. PST. The 100-lap main event featuring the USAC National Midget Car Series will conclude the 2005 season.
For more information regarding Mopar, Steele, Nicholas or USAC Racing, log on to www.moparspeed.com, www.mopar.com, www.davesteele.com, www.kylenicholas.com or www.usacracing.com.
Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep® vehicles.
