By Steve Birmingham
Granite City, IL: Saturday night Tri-City Speedway and the United States
Auto Club will honor a legend in USAC Racing history with the "Bob Wente
Classic" National Midget Championship event. Bob Wente, the father of track owner
Bobby, succumbed to heart disease August 13, 2000. His 805 USAC starts with 79
national career wins ranks 6th among USAC all time winners. It is fitting that
J.J. Yeley, now with the USAC single season victory record (20), won the
inaugural "Bob Wente Classic" last year.
Just released in time for the event is a full color artist rendering of
"Midget Legends"-Bob Wente and Bob Tattersall-by Paul Knierim. Both were
champions and great friends throughout their careers. T-shirts and a limited number
of prints signed by the artists will be available.
The battle for the USAC Midget National Championship rages between point
leader J.J. Yeley and Tracy Hines. Hines won the USAC National Midget event
earlier this year on June 4th; Yeley blew an engine. A strong field is expected
that includes: Bobby East, Jay Drake, Sarah McCune and brothers A.J. and Aaron
Fike. St. Louis area drivers competing for MARA Championship points are Steve
Knepper, Mike Hess, Tim Siner, Donnie Lehman and Steve Stroud. The winner of
the 30-lap main event will receive a trophy from the Bob Wente Collection on
behalf of his three sons; Bobby, Terry and Mike.
Spectator gates open at 5:00 p.m. with a Vintage Race Car display. Time
trials at 7:00 p.m. and Racing at 8:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $15.00 and
children 12 and under are FREE. Parking is FREE!
Tri-City Speedway is located 1/2-mile South of I-270 on ILL Rt. 203 -
Exit 4.
Granite City, IL: Saturday night Tri-City Speedway and the United States
Auto Club will honor a legend in USAC Racing history with the "Bob Wente
Classic" National Midget Championship event. Bob Wente, the father of track owner
Bobby, succumbed to heart disease August 13, 2000. His 805 USAC starts with 79
national career wins ranks 6th among USAC all time winners. It is fitting that
J.J. Yeley, now with the USAC single season victory record (20), won the
inaugural "Bob Wente Classic" last year.
Just released in time for the event is a full color artist rendering of
"Midget Legends"-Bob Wente and Bob Tattersall-by Paul Knierim. Both were
champions and great friends throughout their careers. T-shirts and a limited number
of prints signed by the artists will be available.
The battle for the USAC Midget National Championship rages between point
leader J.J. Yeley and Tracy Hines. Hines won the USAC National Midget event
earlier this year on June 4th; Yeley blew an engine. A strong field is expected
that includes: Bobby East, Jay Drake, Sarah McCune and brothers A.J. and Aaron
Fike. St. Louis area drivers competing for MARA Championship points are Steve
Knepper, Mike Hess, Tim Siner, Donnie Lehman and Steve Stroud. The winner of
the 30-lap main event will receive a trophy from the Bob Wente Collection on
behalf of his three sons; Bobby, Terry and Mike.
Spectator gates open at 5:00 p.m. with a Vintage Race Car display. Time
trials at 7:00 p.m. and Racing at 8:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $15.00 and
children 12 and under are FREE. Parking is FREE!
Tri-City Speedway is located 1/2-mile South of I-270 on ILL Rt. 203 -
Exit 4.
