The Columbus Speedway Go-Kart Racing located at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds will get its 2019 racing season underway today. The sign-in will begin at 3 p.m. today and end at 5 p.m. There will be an open practice starting at 3:30 pm. A drivers meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. The pit passes will be $15, and grandstand admission is free.
The Jennings County Outlaw Kart Racing located at the Jennings County Fairgrounds in North Vernon will begin its new racing season on Sunday. Gates will open at noon, with practice scheduled for 3 p.m.
Local tracks rained out
Rainy weather wiped out all of the local racing action for March 30. Brownstown, Twin Cities and Lawrenceburg Speedways will all be back in action tonight.
Twin Cities schedule for tonight
The Twin Cities Raceway Park in Vernon will conduct a regular racing program tonight consisting of crate late models, modifieds, super stocks, pure stocks and hornets. For more info, visit twincitiestrack.com.
Brownstown racing tonight
Brownstown Speedway will hold its “Fan Appreciation Night” tonight with a regular program of pro late models, modifieds, super stocks, pure stocks and hornets. For further info, visit brownstownspeedway.com.
Lawrenceburg moves USAC date
USAC and Lawrenceburg Speedway officials postponed the March 30 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Midwest season opener to April 20.
Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts with the original reschedule date, the race was moved back into the month of April. The date originally chosen was May 4. However, also scheduled that night were the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event across the river at Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky.
Times and ticket prices will remain the same for the rescheduled event. Pit gates will open at 3 p.m. EST, with front gates opening at 5 p.m. and hot laps getting underway at 6 p.m. Adult tickets are $25, kids 7-12 are $7, while children age 6-and-under are FREE. Pit passes are $30 (all ages).
The series will make three visits to the southeastern Indiana 3/8-mile dirt oval this season in addition to the April 20 date, making stops on July 21 for “Indiana Sprint Week” and on Oct. 5 for the “Fall Nationals.” Additionally, the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets will make a stop at “The Burg” on June 8 for “Indiana Midget Week.”
The next events on the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car calendar are included in a doubleheader weekend. The Sprints travel to Bloomington Speedway on Friday for the “Larry Rice Classic,” then to Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt on April 13.
C.J. Leary remains the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car point leader. Leary, Chris Windom and Justin Grant have each won series features thus far with three races complete
Lawrenceburg will try to get its first race of the 2019 season underway tonight with a full card of sprints, modifieds, pure stocks and hornets. For the latest info, visit lawrenceburgspeedway.com.
Final Hoosier Hundred set
The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center has announced that the Indiana State Fairgrounds one-mile dirt track will be converted from a dirt surface to an all-weather track made of crushed limestone to be utilized for year-round harness training and parking for the Indiana State Fair.
The ultimate impact is that the conversion of the surface means that auto racing events will no longer be held on the famed one-mile track following the 2019 Hoosier Hundred. The 64th running of the 100-mile, 100-lap race, scheduled for May 23, will be the last running of this grand racing event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
“USAC, Track Enterprises, Bob Sargent and I have been in meetings with the Fairgrounds staff and in discussion for the last two years about any way to keep auto racing at the historic one-mile oval,” USAC Series Coordinator Levi Jones explained. “To no avail, the economics of the horse industry and their desire to use the one-mile track year-round instead of the half-mile currently in the infield won out in the end.”
USAC and Track Enterprises are currently exploring possible venues that could host the Hoosier Hundred for the 2020 season and beyond
Stewart’s All-Star sprints get more airtime
For the first time in series history, fans from around the world will have the opportunity to witness nearly every lap of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 competition live on the internet.
Speed Shift TV will follow Tony Stewart’s All-Star Circuit of Champions on a near-full-time basis in 2019, creating the possibility for a live broadcast during much of the All-Star schedule.
“This is an exciting time for Speed Shift TV, as well as the All-Star Circuit of Champions,” Darren Shanley explained, CEO of Speed Shift TV. “This is something we’ve been discussing for quite some time, so we are elated for things to come to life. The All-Star Circuit of Champions is a great organization and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to broadcast most of their 2019 schedule. We’ve always had a fantastic relationship, but to take things to the next step and create a regular live presence is great for everyone involved.”
With the exception of select events, fans who purchase Speed Shift TV’s monthly VIP subscription will have the capability to watch nearly all of the All-Star Circuit of Champions events on the series schedule. The events at Jackson Motorplex on July 26, as well as the events at Port Royal Speedway on Sept. 6-7, will still be available on Speed Shift TV, but will be conducted as separate pay-per-view broadcasts.
Those not wanting to subscribe to Speed Shift TV’s monthly VIP subscription can still watch desired All Star Circuit of Champions events with a respective single race pass.
“Our VIP subscription is a perfect fit for any diehard short track fan. You have the availability to watch any race within the VIP schedule during any given month, not just All-Star races,” Shanley continued. “Even for those only interested in watching select broadcasts, we have them covered, too. I think Speed Shift TV and the All-Star Circuit of Champions are a perfect fit. This is going to be an exciting year.”
Those seeking additional information regarding Speed Shift TV, as well as literature regarding Speed Shift TV’s VIP subscription and pay-per-view broadcasts, are encouraged to visit Speed Shift TV on the Web at www.speedshifttv.com.
