Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Tony Stewart has officially acquired the Indiana-based U.M.R.A. King of the TQ Midget Racing Series and rebranded the organization to form the All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets.
In operation since 1961, the now All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets boasts a longstanding tradition of competitiveness with events in recent seasons stretching throughout the Hoosier state, most recently concluding a schedule that included 25 races in 2019. With the help of Stewart and a dedicated All Star TQ Midgets staff, the series hopes to continue those longstanding traditions in 2020 while broadening the series’ overall exposure.
“I had the opportunity to start racing TQ Midgets in Indiana right after high school, and I’ve had a passion ever since. The experience was valuable, and it acted as a crucial step in my USAC career,” explained Stewart, who competes in a TQ Midget when time allows while also owning a TQ Midget team driven by Ron Combs. “It’s a fun atmosphere with a lot of great drivers and teams, and I am truly passionate about it. Our goal is to promote that experience to others and hopefully continue to make this series grow.”
“Tony is a great fit for this organization. We are excited to have him,” said Combs, who has been driving a Stewart-owned TQ Midget since 2004. ”His passion for TQ Midget racing is substantial, and I’m confident only great things will come from his affiliation.”
The 2020 All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets schedule is expected to be finalized by the new year.
Stewart releases All Star sprint schedule
Stewart’s Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 will hit the highway in less than two months, launching a 2020 campaign jam-packed with high profile events, big money paydays and, of course, highly-competitive dirt ovals spread throughout much of the Northeast, Midwest and Florida.
To date, the traveling All Stars will headline 55 events after the new year, 51 accumulating championship points, all of which will kick off with a four-race, non-point stint in the Sunshine State on Feb, 5, 6, 10 and 11. Florida included, 11 states will host All Star Circuit of Champions competition in 2020, with much of the action planted throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania.
“It’s hard to believe we are already talking about the 2020 season, but we have a lot to talk about,” Stewart said. “We have added additional high paying events and made a concerted effort to allow our teams the opportunity to race a large majority of the bigger paying sprint car events outside of our All Star schedule. We hope this schedule is attractive to our full-time teams, as well as other teams looking to compete with us on a somewhat regular basis.”
The 2020 All Star Circuit of Champions schedule boasts big money with 17 events awarding a top prize equaling $6,000 or more. Eight of the 17 big-money programs will award top prizes reaching $10,000 or more, with Port Royal Speedway’s Tuscarora 50, celebrating 53 years in 2020, awarding a $53,000 winner’s share, the largest target on the 2020 All Stars schedule.
“A number of tracks have stepped up their purse payouts, and we are really excited about this growth,” Stewart continued. “One out of every three of our points races will pay at least $6,000 to the winner.”
McIntosh to drive for Kunz in Chili Bowl
On the heels of a strong 2019 Midget racing campaign as a 16-year-old, Bixby, Oklahoma’s, Cannon McIntosh has secured a ride with the potent Columbus-based Keith Kunz Motorsports team for the upcoming 34th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire at the Tulsa Expo Raceway.
The unrivaled event that takes place over the course of six days from Jan. 13-18, 2020, atop the indoor, 1/5-mile clay oval in Tulsa, will mark McIntosh’s second career Chili Bowl appearance.
“I feel like we were building toward this all year, and then Turkey Night led to the offer,” McIntosh explains. “I’m looking forward to racing for Keith Kunz Motorsports at the Chili Bowl. Keith and Pete (Willoughby) and their team know what it takes to win at the Chili Bowl, and I want to get them another Golden Driller.”
Drivers under the Keith Kunz Motorsports banner have topped each of the past five Chili Bowl championship features and won four of last year’s five preliminary events in the Toyota/TRD entries. Kunz picked up his first Golden Driller as a car owner in 1994 when Andy Hillenburg became the first home state driver to win the prestigious event.
Less than a month after his 16th birthday, McIntosh made his first Chili Bowl appearance in January and raced to an eye-opening fifth-place finish on his preliminary night before narrowly missing the feature cut among the field of 350 competitors.
Salem Speedway has new management
Salem Speedway fueled by the Hoosier Lottery is coming under new management for 2020. Longtime track owner Owen Thompson has leased the property to Pekin general contractor Bill Kniesly.
“I’m really excited about the future of Salem Speedway fueled by the Hoosier Lottery,” Thompson said. “Bill (Kniesly) is the young man who, in short order, organized and promoted the first ever West End Drag races this past October on the air strip next door. The event was a huge success, and I believe he can bring that same energy and excitement to Salem Speedway and the adjoining property.”
Kniesly, 37, manages construction crews across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky. Over the past half dozen years, he’s also been promoting a variety of outdoor events to include mud drag racing, music and more.
“Salem Speedway and the beautiful property around it has so much potential,” Kniesly said. “I saw it first-hand last year during the annual Halloween 200 race weekend. The West End Drags we had the day before went off really well, beyond our expectations, and the Halloween 200 finale packed the house on the High-Banks. I’m confident there’s so much more we can do with the properties. For one, we could really enhance the incredible camping area out front to help create a memorable and festive multi-event experience. I’m super excited about the possibilities and the future of Salem Speedway.”
Salem Speedway, since 1947, will be celebrating its 74th season of operation in 2020. Events already announced for 2020 include the 107th appearance of the ARCA Menards Series April 17-19, the 31st annual Firecracker 125 presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts July 4, the return of the Super Cup Stock Car Series July 25, the 61st annual Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial USAC Silver Crown Series Aug. 15 and the 32nd annual Halloween 200 Oct. 17-18. The remaining schedule of events, to include the West End Drag races next door, will be soon be announced.
