SALEM, IN, August 26 – The quest for 2008 Salem Speedway track championships continues on Saturday, Sept. 6th, as the Lucas Oil Super Stocks and Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks return to the super-fast, half-mile oval for the Washington County Tourism Family Fun Night, presented by The Salem Leader.

Championships are still up for grabs in both Salem divisions, as just five points separate the top three drivers in the Super Stock division and a seven point differential exists between first and second place in the Street Stock standings.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” said Salem Speedway general manager Richard Deaton, as he discussed the extremely close championship battles. “With just two point races remaining we have five drivers in the hunt for track championships.”

Two-time Lucas Oil Super Stock champion, Todd Kempf (2004-2005) of Huntingburg, Ind., Skeeter Crum of Jeffersonville and David Bayens of Memphis, Ind., are set to continue their season-long battle for the top spot in that division. Kempf (790) currently holds a two point advantage over Crum (788) and five point lead over Bayens (785).

Defending Lucas Oil Super Stock champion Chris French (760) of Vine Grove, Ky., and Mike Sharp (721) of Cox’s Creek, Ky., round out the top five in the Super Stock standings.

Third-generation driver, Frank Kimmel II of Borden, Ind., continues to set the pace in the Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stock division with former track champion Casey Heavrin of Jeffersonville in close pursuit. Kimmel, son of nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel, holds a precarious seven point advantage (810-803) over Heavrin, the 2001 Street Stock champion.

Brian Bayer (750) of Birdseye, Ind., Tony Conway (740) of Louisville, Kyle Hadley (730) also of Louisville, and Beau Crawford (728) of Floyds Knobs, Ind., are locked in a tight battle for positions three through six.

The evening of racing, the final tune-up before Championship Night at Salem, also includes many fun-filled activities, including exhibition drags, street rod and classic car cruise-in, burnout contest, celebrity tricycle drags, prize giveaways and much more.

“This should be a great night of family fun,” said Deaton. “Racing is just part of the overall entertainment package we have planned for this special event.”

Spectator gates open on Sept. 6th at 4 p.m., with practice getting underway at 4:30, qualifications at 5:45 and the first race at 7:15 p.m. (EDT).

Advance general admission tickets are priced at just $8 for adults and $3 for children (age 7-12). Kids, age 6 and under, are admitted free. A special “Family 4-Pack” ticket package is also available for this event (see story below). For advance tickets visit the Salem Speedway office, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or call 812-883-6504.

SPECIAL FAMILY PRICING AVAILABLE

FOR SEPT. 6th FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Salem Speedway is offering special discount pricing for the upcoming Washington County Tourism Family Fun Night, presented by The Salem Leader.

With the special “Family 4-Pack” you get two adult tickets, two children tickets (age 7-12), plus a coupon good for 4 hot dogs and 4 soft drinks from the Speedway concession stand, all for just $25.

“That’s less than it costs to go to the movies,” said event coordinator Linda Temple. “A family of four gets a full night of racing and entertainment, plus hot dogs and soft drinks for just $25.”

It’s also a savings of nearly $20 off the regular admission and concession prices.

The “Family 4-Pack” may be purchased in advance by calling 812-883-6504 or at the gate for the low price of just $25.

ALL-STAR LINE-UP SET FOR CELEBRITY

TRICYCLE DRAGS AT SALEM SPEEDWAY

Excitement is building for one of the most anticipated racing events of the 2008 season at Salem Speedway – the Cornucopia Farm Celebrity Tricycle Drags. This grueling competition, featuring some of Washington County’s most gifted and competitive athletes, is part of the many festivities planned for Washington County Tourism Family Fun Night, presented by The Salem Leader on Saturday, Sept. 6th.

Salem Mayor David Bower, Washington County Sheriff Claude Combs and Superior Court Judge Frank Newkirk are among the scheduled participants, many of whom have dedicated countless hours of training for this special event.

Others scheduled to participate include Washington County Commissioner Lana Sullivan, Salem High School Principal Jim Ralston, Salem City Councilman Dan Libka and Salem Speedway pace car driver Mark “Bubba” Abbott. Stephanie Ferriell, editor of the Salem Leader and Salem Democrat, and Becky White, owner of radio station WSLM and Channel 17 TV, are also in training for the upcoming competition.

Extensive background checks are currently being completed on other possible competitors.

ENTRIES BEING ACCEPTED FOR SEPT. 6th

EXHIBITION DRAGS AND BURNOUT CONTEST

Exhibition Drags return to Salem Speedway on Saturday night, Sept. 6th, and you are invited to join the fun.

Competitors, driving their own street legal vehicles, race from a standing start halfway around the .555-mile oval to the frontstretch finish line. The winning drivers continue advancing to the next round of competition until just one unbeaten competitor remains.

The single elimination drags are open to any person, age 18 or over, who holds a valid driver’s license and currently doesn’t race at Salem Speedway. Competing vehicle must be in safe operating condition with properly functioning door locks, windows and driver seat belt. The car/truck (no 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicles) must be currently licensed to drive on the highway and driven to Salem Speedway on the night of the event. Driver must wear an approved helmet.

The Burnout Contest is also open to any person, age 18 or over, who holds a valid driver’s license.

Entries for the Exhibition Drags and Burnout Contest are currently being accepted. For more information call 812-883-6504.

RUSTY BLADEN TO PROVIDE MUSICAL

ENTERTAINMENT FOR ARCA FALL CLASSIC

SALEM, IN, August 21 – Popular Hoosier rocker, Rusty Bladen, is set to provide the post-race entertainment for the Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic, presented by Advance Auto Parts, on Saturday, Sept. 13th at Salem Speedway.

The annual post-race party, sponsored in part by Paoli Pizzaria, kicks-off as soon as the checkered flag waves at the conclusion of the 200-lap ARCA RE/MAX Series event.

A veteran of the Indiana music scene, Bladen has played nearly every club, theatre, bar, tavern, and hole-in-the-wall dive in Indiana to build his career. Bladen powers the crowd at his shows with an atmosphere of party songs, sing-alongs and a whole lot of audience participation. A college favorite, Rusty has cultivated an extremely loyal Midwestern fan base for his band and his solo performances.

Rusty's solo show is a high energy, freewheeling tour-de-force of Bladen originals, songs from the radio, and some excellent hippie country-rock tunes. The solo shows are fun, rockin' and loud.

As an added bonus Bladen is scheduled to entertain race fans behind the main grandstand with an abbreviated set before the start of the Advance Auto Parts 50 for the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series.

STENHOUSE AND CAISSE KICK-OFF TESTING

FOR SEPT. 13th ARCA FALL CLASSIC

SALEM, IN, August 18 – Testing officially kicked-off on Monday at Salem Speedway for the September 13th Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic, presented by Advance Auto Parts.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. of Olive Branch, Miss., and Sean Caisse of Pelham, NH, shared the high banks for several hours of testing on Monday in preparation for the upcoming fall classic.

Stenhouse, who drives the Ford Drive One Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, is currently locked in a tight battle with Scott Speed for the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series championship. The veteran USAC competitor, who finished sixth in the spring ARCA race at Salem, is second in points with just six races remaining. He is coming off a strong second-place finish to Frank Kimmel in Sunday's Allen Crowe 100 on the Springfield mile-dirt.

Caisse, who has had several strong runs in the Aisin Toyota this season, but is still looking for his first ARCA win, will be making his inaugural ARCA short-track start at Salem.

Tickets, both reserved and general admission, are currently selling for the Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic, presented by Advance Auto Parts. Tickets may be purchased at the Speedway office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or by calling 812-883-6504 or toll free 1-888-246-7223.

CHUCK BARNES JR. RETURNS TO VICTORY LANE

AT SALEM SPEEDWAY IN JAYC FOOD STORES 100

SALEM, IN, August 17 - 2004 CRA Super Series Champion, Chuck Barnes, Jr. didn’t decide to race at Salem Speedway until Wednesday, he put together a quick deal for some sponsorship and then raced to the win on Saturday in the CRA Super Series JayC Food Stores 100. JR Roahrig took the early lead from the pole position and held on for the first 37 laps until Barnes made a nice move on the outside in turn two to take the lead after hounding Roahrig every lap prior, up to his winning pass, always right in Roahrig’s shadow.

"We were going to come up and watch the race, and then were thinking we have the car why not bring it up and race it." Barnes stated. "We are looking to sell this car and we thought bringing it would make it easier to sell. It is great to win a CRA Super Series race at my home track!"

Barnes had purchased the car and two motors from Jason Dunn a while back, he had decided to keep one motor and had been trying to sell the car and the other motor for the past several weeks with no luck. Former Salem Speedway and part-time CRA Super Series competitor Robert Ohlman formerly competed in the car until he quit racing a couple of seasons ago.

Roahrig chased Barnes closely for several laps, until Zach Taylor moved into second place and seemly hooked up to Barnes. Barnes was unable to shake Taylor, and Taylor could not pass Barnes, despite several attempts on several restarts. Taylor’s second place finish equaled his best ever with the series which was at the series June 7^th race at Salem.

Johnny VanDoorn started seventh and moved up to finish third, former Salem Speedway late model champion Keith Gardner finished fourth after falling back to tenth at the start of the race. Current series points leader Scott Hantz finished fifth and extended his points lead when second in point Boris Jurkovic had ignition problems that resulted in a 19^th place finish.

K&N Rookie of the Year contender Adam Purdy marked his first Top 10 finish with the CRA Super Series finishing sixth after starting ninth and running as high as fourth for much of the race. For his great race Purdy was awarded the ARP Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award. He was also awarded the Ringers Gloves Award.

Barnes earned the VDL Fuel Systems Hot Lap of the Race Award, the Kingen Interstate Express Halfway Leader Award and the Fatheadz.com Race Winner Award. Zach Taylor was the K & N Filters Rookie Of The Race Award winner. Keith Gardner took the Appleton Rack & Pinion Fast Qualifier Award.

Robert Maynor started 17^th and finished ninth earning him a Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award and the ISKY Racing Cams/Lane Automotive Hardcharger Award. Scott Hantz received the other Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award.

K&N Rookie of the Year point leader Aaron Pierce received the Leaf Race Products Hard Luck Award after his engine broke during practice and he was unable start the event. The Shively Race Products Tough Luck Award was given to Jared Smith who had an accident during practice and was able to start the race, but was not able to race for long.

Skeeter Crum of Jeffersonville, Ind., captured the Ruler Discount Foods 40 for the Lucas Oil Super Stocks and Casey Heavrin, also of Jeffersonville, won the JayC Plus Shopper’s Card 40 for the Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks.

The victory, Crum’s second of the season, propelled him past David Bayens in to second place in the season standings. Todd Kempf of Huntingburg, Ind., continues to lead the standings with 790 points, followed by Crum with 788 and Baynes with 785.

Chris French finished second in the Ruler Discount Foods 40 on Saturday night, with Kempf third, Bayens fourth and Mike Sharp fifth.

Frank Kimmel II, who finished second to Heavrin on Saturday, continues to lead the Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stock standings. The third-generation driver holds a seven point advantage (810-803) over Heavrin with just two races remaining.

Brian Bayer, Brent Gardiner and Tony “The Iceman” Conway rounded out the top five in Saturday’s Street Stock main event.

Kyle Hadley and Tim Clemons won Street Stock heat races.

Racing returns to the high banks on Saturday night, Sept. 6 as the Lucas Oil Super Stocks and Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks return for the Washington County Tourism Family Fun Night, presented by The Salem Leader.

KIMMEL NOTCHES FIRST ARCA WIN

OF SEASON ON SPRINGFIELD MILE-DIRT

SPRINGFIELD IL, August 17 - Nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel cleaned up Sunday afternoon at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield where the Clarksville, Indiana driver ended a year-long winless streak with a victory in the 46^th Allen Crowe 100.

Kimmel, in his own Ford Drive One Ford, led 83 of 102 laps en route to his seventh win on the historic fairgrounds mile-dirt, tying the late Dean Roper with the most Allen Crowe 100 wins at Springfield.

“What a great crowd of fans,” said Kimmel. “This Ford Fusion ran well all day long. It’s very cool to be named in the same category as Dean Roper. He was a hero of mine growing up and so this is pretty cool. We’ve had some really good cars here over the years, but this one is probably the best ever. We can’t wait to take the Ford Drive One Ford to DuQuoin.”

Kimmel also smashed the one-lap track record earlier in the day with an average speed of 109.496 mph, surpassing the old mark of 107.778 set by Damon Lusk in 2006.

Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., in the Roush Fenway Racing Ford, passed Brian Tyler on the final lap to finish second, five lengths behind Kimmel.

“I was just trying to get every spot I could,” said Stenhouse. “I would have liked to run up there with Frank [Kimmel]. We were a little tight in turn two all day. I headed into this race third in the point standings and it ended up being a pretty good points day today.”

Stenhouse’s runner-up finish also earned the Olive Branch, Mississippi driver the SunTrust Rookie of the Race award.

Tyler, who won the USAC Silver Crown Series race at Springfield the day before, settled for third in the Jet Star-Nline Apparel Toyota.

“I thought I had second but when I got into turn three over there I let Ricky get underneath me,” said Tyler. “I guess I’ll settle for third today. It’s fun to do these races. Car owner said if we keep it one piece today, we get to take it to DuQuoin, so that’s good.”

SunTrust Rookie Matt Carter, in his career first dirt-track race, finished fourth in the Hantz Group-Stine Seed Ford, followed by Tayler Malsam, who drove the Dodge Development Dodge to fifth in the final running order from the 14^th starting position.

Ron Cox, who started outside row one, raced into the lead at the start and opened up a 10-length advantage over Kimmel and Dexter Bean. Then Bean out-maneuvered Cox and Kimmel in lapped traffic with a three-wide pass to lead the 13^th lap before Kimmel reasserted himself as the leader on lap 16. Kimmel handed the lead to Doug Keller on lap 27 while the eventual winner pitted for gas only under caution. When racing resumed, Kimmel wasted no time getting back to the front, passing Keller on lap 31. Outside of AJ Fike, who got within a length of Kimmel a time or two, no one else got close enough to mount a challenge as Kimmel led the rest of way to earn his 72^nd career series victory. Fike, who ran second most of the race, finished 30^th after falling out with engine failure on lap 78.

Justin Allgaier finished sixth in the Hoosier Midwest-AG Tech-Schlossers Chevrolet. Tom Hessert, III finished seventh after starting 19^th, earning Casite Hard Charger honors in the Maaco Auto Painting America’s Body Shop Ford.

Point leader Scott Speed, making his first dirt-track start, was eighth in the Red Bull Toyota with local Springfield favorite Kelly Kovski trailing in ninth in the Central Illinois Security-Levi Home Construction Chevrolet. Keller finished 10^th in the Van Am Tool & Engineering Chevrolet.

Kimmel also cleaned up in special awards earning the SIM Factory Pole award, the Klotz Halfway Leader award, the Aaron’s Lap Leader award and the Accel Fastest Lap of the Race. Kimmel’s brother Bill Kimmel was the Cometic Crew Chief of the Race.

The ARCA RE/MAX Series returns to Salem Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 13th for the Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic, presented by Advance Auto Parts. Advance tickets, both reserved and general admission, are currently selling and may be purchased by calling 812-883-6504 or toll free 1-888-246-7223.

Sharing the high banks with the RE/MAX Series on Sept. 13th will be the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series.

FOR SALE MotoGP TICKETS – Two Paddock Penthouse tickets for the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP. Tickets good for all three days – Sept. 12-13-14. Sell for face value. Call 812-883-1082.

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL EVENTS HEADLINE

DIVERSE 2008 SALEM SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE

SALEM, IN, Dec. 31 – One of the most diverse schedule line-ups in the 62 year history of Salem Speedway is set for 2008 and includes visits by ARCA, USAC, Hooters Pro Cup Series, ASA, CRA, Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series, the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League and others.

“The 2008 Salem Speedway schedule is outstanding from top to bottom,” said track general manager Richard Deaton. “The fans have spoken and we have responded with a line-up of old favorites and exciting new additions. It certainly would be difficult to find another short-track in the country with a more diverse and exciting schedule.”

Among the old favorites is the ARCA RE/MAX Series which headlines the 2008 season opener, the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 by Federated Auto Parts, on Sunday afternoon, April 13th. A second ARCA RE/MAX Series event, the Eddie Gilstrap Motors Fall Classic 200, is scheduled for Saturday night, Sept. 13th. The fall race also features the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series.

Another Salem favorite, the Hooters Pro Cup Series, returns to the high banks on Saturday, June 28th for the 7th annual Hooters Pro Cup 200, presented by Touchstone Energy.

Late model racing is well represented on the 2008 Salem Speedway slate with a couple of highly touted touring series – the ASA Late Models and CRA Super Series. The ASA Late Models visit the high banks for the first time on Saturday night, July 19th for a 200-lap “Challenge Series” event. Saturday, June 7th marks the return of the popular CRA Super Series to Salem Speedway for the Hoosier Hills 100. A second CRA Super Series event is set for Saturday, August 16th.

The USAC Lucas Oil National Sprint Car Series visits the venerable Salem oval for a rare Sunday afternoon appearance on August 3rd for the traditional Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial.

The winged sprint cars of the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series return to Salem on Saturday night, May 17th for the Calvin Gilstrap Classic.

The exciting USA Modifieds and ARA Limited Late Models headline five divisions scheduled for the Spring Speed Fest, presented by Salem True Value Hardware, on Saturday night, April 26th.

The much anticipated return of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League is set for Saturday night, May 31st. The eighth annual Hoosier Classic Truck & Tractor Pull will feature the ground-pounding power of 10,000 Pro Stock Tractors, plus smoke-blowing Super Farm Tractors and the extreme Pro Mod 4WD Trucks.

Two Salem Speedway divisions – Lucas Oil Super Stocks and Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks – are scheduled for regular appearances on the high banks during the 2008 season. A new Front Wheel Drive Economy Division is also in the planning stages with races scheduled for the upcoming season.

Other traditional events planned for 2008 includes the 19th annual Papa John’s Firecracker 200 on July 4th, and the season ending 20th annual Halloween 200 on October 26th.

Among non-racing events scheduled for the Speedway in 2008 is a big Christian music concert and festival, called “Takin’ It To The Streets”, on Sunday, August 10th. Eight hours of live music and festivities are planned.

Additional information concerning 2008 activities at Salem Speedway, including ticket information, may be obtained by calling 812-883-6504 or toll free 1-888-246-7223.

For the complete 2008 Salem Speedway schedule of events click on the Schedule icon at left.

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POINT BATTLES HEAT UP AS RACING RETURNS

TO SALEM SPEEDWAY ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 6th