News

Salem Speedway

For Immediate Release: 

Contact: Glenn Luckett

Salem Speedway’s Own Conner Popplewell to Make ARCA Menards Series Debut on September 30

   Salem, IN (September 20, 2023) – Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery officials have announced that Jeffersonville, Indiana’s Conner Popplewell, a competitor in the track’s Diesel Boys Gas Series, will make his ARCA Menards Series debut in the Atlas 200 at Salem Speedway on Saturday, September 30th. The Atlas 200 will be the 109th ARCA Menards Series event to be contested on the famous High Banks of Salem Speedway.

   The 19-year-old racer, who started racing legends at age 12, is in his second season competing full time with the Diesel Boys Gas Series at Salem Speedway, he was the series Rookie of the Year in 2022. Popplewell got his first win with the series in the series second event of this season on June 3rd. Popplewell has now won a series leading three events so far this season, with his second win coming on August 19th and his third on September 3rd. Popplewell is also second in series Championship points, 19 points behind points leader Heath Helton, with just the Season Championship event left, which will be a 50 lap feature run in conjunction with the Atlas 200 on Saturday, September 30th. 

   Saturday, September 30th will be a big day in Popplewell’s racing career with his ARCA Menards Series debut and a chance to become a Champion at Salem Speedway!

   “I am truly blessed with the opportunity I have to make my ARCA Menards Series debut at Salem Speedway,” remarked Popplewell. “Obviously I love racing at Salem, and now I get to make the jump up to race with ARCA at Salem, this is a dream come true! I can’t thank everyone who has helped get me this ride, my family, who has always supported my racing, our great sponsors like Red Ball Recycling, T & C Contracting and Greentree Real Estate and everyone who has worked on my racecars. It’s going to be tough competing against those teams in that series, but I’m looking forward to the challenge!”

   Popplewell will pilot the #95 MAN Motorsports ARCA Menards Series car owned by series veteran Mark Anthony Noble. Popplewell will have veteran ARCA Menards Series Spotter Daryl Hadley to help him in the event, Hadley has been working with Popplewell all season and has been instrumental in his opportunities to race in the Atlas 200.

   Spectator gates open on September 30th at 3:30pm. The Diesel Boys GAS Series feature will get the green flag at 6pm. The Atlas 200 will go green at 7:30pm. 

   Save big money on advance tickets at Salem, IN area Menards stores. Tickets are also available online at https://www.myracepass.com/series/1788/tickets/1331211 and at the gate on race day.

   More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season is available on the track’s website at www.salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the track’s Facebook page. 

Salem Speedway

For Immediate Release:  

Contact: Glenn Luckett

     Hoosier Lottery Returns as the Naming Rights Sponsor of Salem Speedway for the 2023 Season 

       Salem, IN (April 19, 2023) – Salem Speedway is pleased to announce that the Hoosier Lottery will return as a Corporate Sponsor of the track and will continue as the Naming Rights Sponsor of the track for the 2023 season. The track will continue to be named Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery for the upcoming 2023 season.

   “We are very happy to have the Hoosier Lottery back as a marketing partner for the 2023 season,” remarked new Salem Speedway Owner Nick Bohanon. “The Hoosier Lottery has been a huge supporter of Salem Speedway for several seasons, we are honored that they will continue that support with us for the upcoming season. With the support of great sponsors like Hoosier Lottery we have been able to do several improvement projects around the track including new pavement on the front stretch and back stretch, reconditioned restrooms and all new equipment in our grandstand concession stand!” 

    The Hoosier Lottery will have a visible marketing presence throughout the track during the entire 2023 season and will have some special promotions at selected events. 

     After a poor forecast for this past Sunday postponed the tracks scheduled season open, the track will now kick off its 2023 oval racing season on Sunday, May 7th with the Derby Hangover Twin 75’s Presented by Cooley’s Heating & Air, featuring racing action from the Diesel Boys GAS Series, the Mike’s Muffler & Brakes Crown Vic Big Track Series, On-Site Plumbing Heating & Air Crown Vic Short Track Oval Series, Mack’s Auto & Scrap Recycling Legends and the Salem Super Cars. 

      More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season is available on the track’s website at www.salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the track’s Facebook page or contact the track office at 866 2GO-RACE.  

     ABOUT THE HOOSIER LOTTERY: For over 30 years, Hoosier Lottery distributions have benefited every county throughout Indiana. The Hoosier Lottery has contributed more than $7 billion to good causes, including $30 million to local police and firefighters’ pensions and $30 million to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund annually. The Hoosier Lottery has earned World Lottery Association Level 4 Certification through 2024 for achieving the highest level of responsible gaming. To learn more about the Hoosier Lottery, visit HoosierLottery.com/GivingBack and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Salem Speedway

For Immediate Release:  

Contact: Glenn Luckett

                                                  Salem Speedway’s Season Opener Postponed

Salem, IN (April 14, 2023) – Salem Speedway officials have announced that this Sunday’s Re-Grand Opening event has been postponed until Sunday, September 3rd. With a forecasted 90% chance of rain, dropping temperatures throughout the day and winds from 15 to 25 mph with 40 mph gusts, the decision was made to postpone the event until Sunday, September 3rd. The track will still have its scheduled open practice this Saturday, pits open at 11am with rotating practice from 2pm to 6pm.

The first racing event of the season for the High Banked ½ mile and the ¼ ovals will now be the Derby Hangover Twin 75’s event Presented by Cooley’s Heating & Air on Sunday, May 7th. The first Riverside Drifting event of the season will take place next Friday and Saturday April 21st and 22nd.

More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season is available on the track’s website at www.salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the track’s Facebook page or contact the track office at 866-2GO-RACE. 

Salem Speedway

For Immediate Release:  

Contact: Glenn Luckett

Impact Rescue Delivers Holmatro Rescue Tools for Salem Speedway Safety Team 

Salem, IN (March 24, 2023) – On Thursday, Martin Price with Impact Rescue, delivered the Holmatro Rescue Tools that will be provided to the Impact Rescue Salem Speedway Safety Team for the upcoming 2023 season. These tools will be deployed when an auto extrication is needed on the track. Impact Rescue stepped up to provide these tools at no cost to the track to improve the ability for the Impact Rescue Salem Speedway Safety Team to safely extricate drivers from their damaged racecars when needed. 

“I have used Holmatro Tools ever since my start in fire and EMS,” remarked Jonathan Sears, Safety Director for Salem Speedway. “While I was working track rescue at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we had always used Holmatro Tools. In my opinion these are some of the best tools on the market and I’m proud to have them at my home track! Thanks again Martin Price and Impact Rescue for supporting us!”

In February, it was announced that Impact Rescue will sponsor the Salem Safety Team in 2023. 

“We are very happy to have the support of Impact Rescue and Holmatro Tools for our Safety Team for the 2023 season,” remarked Salem Speedway Owner Nick Bohanon. “We are very lucky to have a very dedicated and professional Safety Team that looks out for all the participants at Salem Speedway. The Safety Team takes their jobs very seriously and we appreciate all their work and support of Salem Speedway! We appreciate Impact Rescue and Holmatro Tools for supporting Salem Speedway!” 

The Salem Speedway 2023 season will kick off on Saturday, April 8th with the traditional Easter Egg Hunt followed by an open practice for all divisions competing at Salem Speedway in 2023. The racing season will kick off on Sunday, April 16th with the Salem Speedway Re-Grand Opening Presented by Washington County Tourism, featuring racing action from the Diesel Boys GAS Series, Crown Vic Big Track Cars, Crown Vic Short Track Oval Cars, Mack’s Auto & Scrap Recycling Legends, and the exciting Scrapper division. 

More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season is available on the track’s website at www.salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the track’s Facebook page. Anyone interested in becoming a marketing partner with Salem Speedway in 2023 can email the track at office@salemspeedway.com or contact the track office at 866 2GO-RACE.  

Salem Speedway

For Immediate Release:  

Contact: Glenn Luckett

Diesel Boys to be Title Sponsor of Salem Speedway’s GAS Series in 2023

Salem, IN (February 3, 2023) – Salem Speedway officials, in conjunction with Diesel Boys LLC, have announced that Diesel Boys will be the Title Sponsor of the GAS Series for the upcoming 2023 season. This will be Diesel Boys first season as the Title Sponsor of the GAS Series. 

“I’m really looking forward to the 2023 season at Salem Speedway,” remarked Brandon Hooker, owner of Diesel Boys LLC. “This is really a cool deal being able to be the title sponsor of the GAS Series, those guys always put on a great show at Salem, and they are well supported by the fans. I’m looking forward to working with new track owner Nick Bohanon and can’t wait to see the improvements and everything he’s going to make happen at Salem Speedway!” 

“We really appreciate Brandon and Diesel Boys coming on board to support the GAS Series and Salem Speedway,” remarked Salem Speedway owner Nick Bohanon. “Brandon was one of the first people to call me after we announced the ownership change and told me he wanted to support the track and be the title sponsor of the GAS Series! Brandon has been a big supporter of local racing for many years, people like him are the reason why I jumped on board to purchase the track and see what we can do to take it to another level for the racers, fans and sponsors!” 

The Diesel Boys GAS Series will have eight points events during the 2023 season at Salem Speedway, with the 2023 season opener on Sunday, April 16th and the 2023 Season Championship event on September 30th with the ARCA Menards Series event. 

More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season is available on the track’s website at www.salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the track’s Facebook page. Anyone interested in being a marketing partner with Salem Speedway in 2023 can email the track at office@salemspeedway.com. 

Salem Speedway

For Immediate Release:  

Contact: Glenn Luckett

Kentuckiana Ford Dealers and Eddie Gilstrap Motors Return to Support Salem Speedway in 2023

Salem, IN (March 6, 2023) – Salem Speedway officials are happy to announce that the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers along with Eddie Gilstrap Motors will return to support Salem Speedway for the upcoming 2023 season. The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers will be the title sponsor of the 35th Annual Halloween 200 Weekend on Saturday, October 21st and Sunday, October 22nd. The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 35th Annual Halloween 200 Weekend will feature a full schedule of racing action on both Saturday and Sunday of that weekend including the running of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 35th Annual Halloween 200 on that Sunday, one of the highest paying Street Stock events in the country. 

The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers will also be the Presenting Sponsor of the TLG Peterbilt - Louisville Semi’s on the High Banks Challenge on Saturday, June 17th, featuring the return of full-size semi-truck racing on the High Banks of Salem Speedway, which drew huge crowds when they competed there in 2020 and 2021. 

Eddie Gilstrap Motors will furnish Salem Speedway with a Pace Truck for the entire 2023 season to pace all the exciting feature events on the famous High Banks! 

“We are very excited to bring the support of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers and Eddie Gilstrap Motors back to Salem Speedway for the upcoming 2023 season,” remarked Steve Motsinger with the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers and Eddie Gilstrap Motors. “This track has so much great history and is known throughout the country. We look forward to working with new owner Nick Bohanon to keep racing happening at Salem Speedway well into the future!”  

“What a terrific boost for Salem Speedway to have both the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers and Eddie Gilstrap Motors back to support the track again this season,” commented Nick Bohanon, Owner of Salem Speedway. “No one has supported this track over the years like the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers and Eddie Gilstrap Motors, we appreciate their support and look forward to building a great relationship with them for years to come!” 

The Salem Speedway 2023 season will kick off on Saturday, April 8th with the traditional Easter Egg Hunt followed by an open practice for all divisions competing at Salem Speedway in 2023. The racing season will kick off on Sunday, April 16th with the Re-Grand Opening event featuring racing action from the Diesel Boys GAS Series, Crown Vic Big Track Cars, Crown Vic Short Track Oval Cars, Mack’s Auto & Scrap Recycling Legends, and the exciting Scrapper division. 

More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season is available on the track’s website at www.salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the track’s Facebook page. Anyone interested in becoming a marketing partner with Salem Speedway in 2023 can email the track at office@salemspeedway.com or contact the track office at 866 2GO-RACE.  

Salem, IN (January 25, 2023) – Salem Speedway officials, in conjunction with Five-Star RaceCar Bodies, have announced that Five-Star RaceCar Bodies will be a Contingency Sponsor of the Salem Speedway Great American Stocks (GAS) for the upcoming 2023 season. The GAS Series will have eight-point events during the 2023 season at Salem Speedway, starting with the season opener on April 16th, plus the running of the 35th Annual Halloween 200 on Sunday, October 22nd.

Five-Star RaceCar Bodies will sponsor the Five-Star RaceCar Bodies Hardcharger Award at each GAS Series

event during the 2023 season, which will be a $75 Product Certificate to the driver advancing the most positions from their scheduled starting position. In addition, Five-Star RaceCar Bodies will award the 2023 GAS Series Champion with a $500 Product Certificate and will award a $750 Product Certificate by random draw of the top ten in final GAS Series points.

“We greatly appreciate the support of Five-Star RaceCar Bodies for the 2023 season,” remarked Salem

Speedway General Manager Glenn Luckett. “This is just the first sponsor that we will be announcing that will be supporting the very popular GAS Series at Salem Speedway in 2023. The GAS Series has some of the best Street Stock drivers in the country and they prove it each and every race!”

More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season is available on the track’s website at

www.salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the track’s Facebook page.

Salem, IN (January 3, 2022) – Salem, Indiana native Glenn Luckett has been hired by new Salem Speedway owner Nick Bohanon to help manage the iconic racetrack located in Salem, Indiana. Luckett started his Motorsports Management career at Salem Speedway in 1995. He remained at the track as the General Manager through the 2000 season before leaving to work full-time for Champion Racing Association, which he co-owned with partner R.J. Scott until selling to Track Enterprises last January.

“I’m really excited to return to my home track,” remarked Luckett. “Nick contacted me to see if I had an interest in coming back to help him manage the track. It was a great opportunity for me to return to where my Motorsports Management career started. I’ve been on the road each season for the past 26 years with CRA, now I can continue to be involved in Motorsports, but have more time to spend with my family. I look forward to working with Nick to keep Salem Speedway one of the iconic short tracks in America!”

Luckett added, “Salem Speedway has always had a special place in my heart, even after I left to run CRA full-time. Asphalt Short Track racing needs the continued support of its racers, fans, sponsors, and officials, I look forward to working with all four at Salem Speedway in 2023 and beyond!”

Salem Speedway opened in 1947 providing fans with exciting fast paced racing on the .555-mile oval that features imposing 33-degree banked turns that were built strictly for speed! Salem is a track steeped in history with many of the giants in auto racing having competed on the treacherous “hills” at some point in their careers, Names such as Ruttman, Carter, Sweikert, O’Connor, Jones, Foyt, Unser, Andretti, Vogler, Allison, Parsons, Waltrip, Schrader, Gordon, and Stewart are just a few names from the past that grace the list of past winners. Current NASCAR Stars Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, Erik Jones and Mitchell, Indiana’s own Chase Briscoe have also competed on the High Banks while advancing their careers.

More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season will be posted on the track’s website at www.salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the track’s Facebook page.

Salem, IN (December 30, 2022) – Former USAC Midget racer Nick Bohanon has taken over ownership of the iconic Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery, located in Salem, Indiana. Bohanon, a Southern Indiana native, has raced on the famous High Banks of Salem Speedway and looks forward to shaping the track's future.

“I’m really excited about acquiring Salem Speedway and looking forward to what the future entails for this historic track,” said Bohanon. “I definitely want to clean the place up, paint it, do something with the signage out front. There are improvements that I want to make to the pavement, the pit area, lighting, infield concessions, infield restrooms and the scoreboard. It will be a process of getting those done over the next several years. I’m ready to get started on making improvements as soon as the weather lets us. It is definitely going to be an investment, but this place has such a great history that I think it can still be one of the nicest short tracks in the country!”

Bohanon added, “We want to continue our Great American Stocks series, they have a great following and put on great racing. We will keep the other local divisions that have been running at the track and plan to continue to bring in some additional outside touring series to keep fans interested in coming to all our events. We want all of our events to be big shows. We are in the process of finalizing our 2023 schedule and will have that out next week!”

Salem Speedway opened in 1947 providing fans with exciting fast paced racing on the .555-mile oval that features imposing 33-degree banked turns that were built strictly for speed! Salem is a track steeped in history with many of the giants in auto racing having competed on the treacherous “hills” at some point in their careers, Names such as Ruttman, Carter, Sweikert, O’Connor, Jones, Foyt, Unser, Andretti, Vogler, Allison, Parsons, Waltrip, Schrader, Gordon, and Stewart are just a few names from the past that grace the list of past winners. Current NASCAR Stars Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, Erik Jones and Mitchell, Indiana’s own Chase Briscoe have also competed on the High Banks while advancing their careers.

More information on Salem Speedway and the 2023 season will be posted on the track’s website at www.salemspeedway.com and with social media posts on the track's Facebook page.