Lucas Oil Preview 2015 by Hendricks County 24/7

HENDRICKS COUNTY FLYER

D2 | Saturday, April 11, 2015

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2015 Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis Racing Schedule APRIL

SEPTEMBER

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

2-7

61st Annual Chevrolet Performance US Nationals

ET Bracket Series Finale – Race 13

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

Slick Tire Only Test & Tune

Annual Summit 18-20 39th Racing Series

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune) ET Bracket Series – Race 1

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

Slick Tire Only Test & Tune

24 Stock Car Series Wallace 25-26 Rusty Racing Experience ET Bracket Series – Race 2 with Jeg’s Super Quick Series Qualifying

25 26

ET Bracket Series – Race 3 with Jeg’s Super Quick Series Eliminations

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Test & Tune

MAY

1-3 2 6

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

NHRA Spring Spectacle of Speed

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

North Central Division Finals Wallace 19-20 Rusty Racing Experience

8 Stock Car Series Wednesday 13 Wild presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

15-17 16-17

No Hatin’ Drag Racing Organization Rusty Wallace Racing Experience

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

JUNE

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

5 7

Goodguys Friday Nite Drags ET Bracket Series – Race 7 (Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge)

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

70th Annual Night Before the 500

13-14

ET Bracket Series – Race 4

ET Bracket Series – Race 5 (National Dragster Challenge)

13-14 Muscle Car 19-21 MCA Nationals

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

Wallace 30-31 Rusty Racing Experience

ET Bracket Series – Race 6

Rusty Wallace Racing Experience Slamology

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League & Diesel Drags

Patriot Challenge

(Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

3 5

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM

ET Bracket Series – Race 8

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

11-12 12

Rusty Wallace Racing Experience

ET Bracket Series – Race 9

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

18 19

Indy Quarter-Mile Classic ET Bracket Series – Race 10

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

JULY

Stock Car Series

JD Byrider 100 – USAC Silver Crown ARCA Racing Series with ARCA/CRA

Super Series

ET Bracket Series – Race 11 (Summit Racing King of the Track)

Stock Car Series

AUGUST

1-2

Pure Speed Drag Racing Experience

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

7-9

No Hatin’ Drag Racing Organization

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

14-16

Midwest Junior Super Series

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune) Wallace 22-23 Rusty Racing Experience

ET Bracket Series – Race 12

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

26-27 CRA Fall Brawl Wednesday 30 Wild presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

OCTOBER

3-4

Rusty Wallace Racing Experience

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune) Fall Classic 9-11 NHRA National Open

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

18 21

Stock Car Series Finale – Championship Sunday

Wild Wednesday presented by IndyRPM (Street Legal & Race Car Test & Tune)

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Saturday, April 11, 2015 | D3

U.S. Nationals offers excitement for all By Matt Anderson matt.anderson@flyergroup.com

For residents in Hendricks County, there is nothing like having a national race in their own backyard. The Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals gears up once again from Sept. 2-7, and it will have the distinct honor of topping last year’s 60th annual celebration. There were a number of first-time winners in 2014, including Alexis DeJoria when she raced past 16-time Funny Car world champ John Force. Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were also first-time winners at the ‘Big Go.’ But as people who have attended the NHRA U.S. Nationals in the past know, there is much more to experience than just racing. NHRA Senior Communications Manager Scott Smith is involved in the early stages of this year’s event and has the task of finding a way to top last year’s activities. “We always try to bring new things, different things and to honor our legends each year,” Smith said. The event prides itself on fan interaction, no matter what age. NHRA wants to give fans the up close and personal treatment. “One of neatest things is that every ticket is a pit pass,” Smith said. “Unlike the Colts or the Pacers, you can’t get up next to the huddle with Andrew Luck or on the bench with the Pacers. With every NHRA ticket, you can do just that.” Lucas Oil Raceway General Manager Randy Simpson echoed Smith’s thoughts. “It’s kind of an open park,” Simpson said. “You can sit in the grandstand, but we invite fans to go into

Lucas Oil Raceway Track Records TOP FUEL E.T. - 3.740 seconds by Shawn Langdon, Sept. 2012 MPH - 328.54 mph by Tony Schumacher, Sept. 2014 FUNNY CAR E.T. - 3.998 seconds by Matt Hagan, Sept. 2014 MPH - 322.73 mph by Courtney Force, Sept. 2014 PRO STOCK E.T. - 6.538 seconds by Jason Line, Sept. 2011 MPH - 211.13 mph by Mike Edwards, Sept. 2012 PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE E.T. - 6.815 seconds by Andrew Hines, Sept. 2010 MPH - 196.76 mph by Hines, Sept. 2010

the pit area. No other sport takes you into the locker room like the NHRA does.” The week also gives fans a chance to experience a number of different races including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. “You’re not going to see a lot of the same car,” Simp-

son said. “You’ll see everything from a 90-100 MPH motorcycle to a 1960s muscle car to a Top Fuel dragster. There’s so much variety.” The event is also the last race of the regular season. Afterwards, they pair the cars down and set the Top 10 to start the countdown to

the championship, where they determine who will be a contender for the season’s top prize. It’s not just any other race for the drivers. Points are awarded as points and a half, giving the race more value than any other on the schedule. “It’s Indy,” Simpson said.

“This is the event for the drag racer, the fan or just a sports enthusiast. The drag race is the biggest one in the world. The most prestigious, the biggest purse/ payout and it’s right here in our backyard.” Outside of the races, spectators of all ages can experience a number of

things in Nitro Alley. There are vendors and interactive displays. The U.S. Army brings a rock climbing wall. Harley Davidson allows people to sit on motorcycles and Chevrolet will have its newest cars on display. Lucas Oil Raceway is also making a bigger push for camping and trackside camping for people to truly experience “the festival of speed.” “We want to have people come out and stay the entire time,” Simpson said. Tickets go on sale June 4 and may be ordered online at lucasoilraceway.com or nhratix.com. For more information call 1-800-884NHRA. Simpson encourages fans to act fast for premium hospitality spots.

HENDRICKS COUNTY FLYER

D4 | Saturday, April 11, 2015

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Stock is up in 2015 for LOR oval racing By Jeff Robison Flyer Correspondent

Harken back more than 20 years ago, and Lucas Oil Raceway’s oval track was bustling, making weekly Saturday night appearances under ESPN’s Saturday Night Thunder label. This year will feature a lot more noise on LOR’s oval as the track will be host of the Lucas Oil Raceway Stock Car Racing Series Presented by Visit Hendricks County. With races sanctioned by the Champion Racing Association (CRA) and Vore’s Compact Touring Series (VCTS), the Hendricks County track will feature competition in the Late Model Sportsman, Street Stock, and Compact division. Seven series race dates are on the calendar with the season leading to the year-end LOR track champions, a first for the oval in many seasons. The scheduled events could also provide the needed boost for the eventual CRA and VCTS overall season champions. Lucas Oil Raceway General Manager Randy Simpson was proud to celebrate the return of a racing series on his oval track. “After the NASCAR Nationwide Series race left (in 2012), our .686-mile short track oval has really been underutilized,” Simpson said. “By creating the Lucas Oil Raceway Stock Car Series, we have effectively doubled our entire season schedule on the oval track.” Equally happy to make Brownsburg a regular stop was CRA president R. J. Scott. “The facility is wonderful for stock car racing,” Scott said. “Our drivers and staff are really looking forward to going there. The track will have a track champion

for the first time in many years. Those things combined will make this a great series.” With other local racing facilities competing mostly on Saturday nights, the LOR schedule will focus on Fridays. “This is a program that will really complement the

other local tracks and series that participate,” Simpson said. Simpson also hopes to make Lucas Oil Raceway the place to be, drawing old patrons back, and new fans to the track. “We need to get people back in the habit of coming out here on a regular basis

and make this place a happening again,” Simpson said. “We have been more a special event short track for a number of years, but I think the putting on of a regular series will support the special events all the more. “Race fans and drivers enjoy the thrilling and com-

petitive nature of our short track races.” Fans may not necessarily know the drivers yet, but there is a good chance they may get a glimpse of a driver of the future. “The drivers change every year because a lot of drivers use CRA as a training ground and springboard

to get to the next step,” Simpson said. “Recently, guys like John Hunter Nemechek and Chase Elliott have come through these programs. The young guys tend to cycle through. But there are also the guys who are the backyard garage heroes, who want to be at the track every week.” Scott cited several Central Indiana drivers expected to be regulars this season. Among them are Jack Dossey III, Jeff Lane, Jason Atkinson and the father/ son duo of Jimmy and James Kirby. Dossey and Atkinson are registered for the Late Model series, while Lane and the Kirbys are slated for the Street Stock division. Brett Andrew of Brownsburg is slated to represent Hendricks County in the Late Model series, while Mason Keller of Plainfield and A.J. Ridner of Pittsboro will do likewise in Street Stocks. The first Friday night will be contested on April 24 with all series classes on hand. CRA will have special nights with 125-lap features on May 8 (Late Model Sportsman only) and July 31 (Street Stocks only). July 3 is the other Friday night event. The conclusion of the oval series will be a daytime race on Championship Sunday, Oct. 18.

HENDRICKS COUNTY FLYER

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Saturday, April 11, 2015 | D5

Fathers, families come together for NMCA Nationals By Matt VanTryon Flyer Correspondent

The National Muscle Car Association Muscle Car Nationals has become a popular tradition at Lucas Oil Raceway over the years. But this year’s event will hold extra significance for the racers, as it will be held over Father’s Day weekend from June 18-21. The event has traditionally been held in October, but LOR General Manager Randy Simpson said the date change will hopefully limit Mother Nature’s possible interference. While October temperatures are optimal conditions, as the event proved last year by breaking every record, racing has been delayed or suspended in the past. “When it’s cooler outside, the atmosphere is better and that produces more horsepower in the engine,” Simpson said. “Last year … we did have some weather struggles. It’s no secret that the later you get into the fall, the more susceptible you are to cold temperatures and rain. So working with NMCA we found an opening to put a race in June on Father’s Day weekend.” Simpson said few events offer a more suitable way for fathers to spend the day with their families, whether as fans or racers. “There’s really no better race to spend Father’s Day on than one that’s all about muscle cars,” he said. “It’s everything from the modern day new-age muscle cars, the Camaros, the Challengers, the Mustangs. It’s all the cars from the ‘60s and ‘70s and well. It’s all about American-made horsepower. There’s no better event for a father to introduce drag racing to their son or daughter.” Camee Edelbrock, marketing director for the NMCA, said the event brings families together. “We have several families

who race and they enjoy the warm, family-friendly atmosphere of the NMCA series,” she said. “There are husbands, wives and children who race together in our series. What a wonderful way to honor their father who started it all.” But the event is not just special due to the weekend it takes place. It is also one of the elite races on the muscle car schedule, something that Simpson said drivers do not overlook. “These are people coming in from all over the country,” he said. “There are a lot of races on the schedule, but there’s only one Indy. Whether these people are racing at the U.S. Nationals or the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals in Indy, you ask any racer and being this is a national series, this is one of those bucket-list races for drag racers.” Edelbrock echoed Simpson’s comments and said the drivers look forward to racing at LOR. “Racing at the historic Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis elevates the status of our series because

everyone, from the racers to the sponsors to the fans, recognizes the track as the home of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, which has long been one of the iconic events of our sport,” she said. “Racing at Lucas Oil Raceway gives our racers the chance to race on the same haloed ground as the champions who compete every year during that special event.” For more information about this and other events at LOR, visit the website at www.lucasoilraceway.com or call 969-8600.

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HENDRICKS COUNTY FLYER

D6 | Saturday, April 11, 2015

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Nostalgia Day coming to LOR quarter mile By Jeff Robison Flyer Correspondent

Lucas Oil Raceway will become a blast from the past on July 18 when the facility’s drag strip will feature cars from 1979 and older in the inaugural Indy Quarter-Mile Classic. The day-long event will be competed in a match race format, bringing back nostalgia funny cars, slingshot dragsters, nostalgia pro stocks, nostalgia super stocks, and Run Tuff Eliminator competitions on the drag strip. Lucas Oil Raceway General Manager Randy Simpson hopes the new event will help fill a niche for fans and drivers alike. “There is a big movement right now with nostalgia drag racing,” Simpson said. “That is all of the old vintage throwback, old-school style drag racing. We want it to be what drag racing used to be, like in the days of ‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits and Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme, where we pair two evenly matched cars together and run them.” By selecting the July 18 date, this event could produce opportunities for hobby drivers to meet and compete against professionals from the Mellow Yello Series, which has an off week between Chicago Nationals and the next date in Denver. “We hope to have a lot of variety here,” Simpson said. “We strategically picked our date for when a lot of the race teams will be back here in town. A lot of those guys have nostalgia funny cars or their crew guys have cars. We hope to see some of those cars come out here.” Not only will fans get to see some classic dragster cars on the track, Simpson also expects to see several cars brought in just to be seen. One of the biggest treats

“This is hallowed ground. There are a lot of racers who are geared up not just because this is a nostalgia race, but because this is a nostalgia race at Indy.” Randy Simpson Lucas Oil Raceway General Manager

for fans who come for the Indy Quarter-Mile Classic will be the level of accessibility they will get with admission. “Every ticket is a pit pass,” Simpson said. “That is one of the biggest assets to drag racing. We want to make the drivers accessible and let fans see the cars to deliver an experience.” Several details remain for the event, but Simpson said there are car shows and autograph sessions on the agenda. “You cannot have a nostalgia race without having some sort of legends reunion,” Simpson said. “We are putting that together, and will be naming an honorary Legend of the Day for the event. This will all be in one day, so we want this to be a simple, fun production.”

One driver expected to participate is Ted Peters, a nostalgia Pro Stock driver from South Holland, Ill. Peters, who regularly competes in the Midwest Nos-

talgia Pro Stock Association, plans to display and race his 1973 Plymouth Duster dubbed “The Patriot Missile.” “Our Midwest Nostalgia

Pro Stock Association started racing about three years ago,” Peters said. “We are trying to recreate memories of the early days of pro stock drag racing. These

are production based cars with production type motors.” Peters explained what drew him to nostalgia racing. “My archrival, Mark Pappas, saw my car at the World of Wheels car show in Chicago,” Peters said. “He thought it had the look of a nostalgia car, and talked me into coming out and seeing if I would like (racing) … and I’ve been racing ever since.” Joining Peters that day should be Pappas, who is both friend and rival, in his 1981 Camaro, with its paint job saluting past pro stock legend Lee Shepherd’s car. “Fans will be able to root for their favorite manufacturers, be it a Ford, Chevy or Mopar (Chr ysler),” Peters said. “And, fans will be able to identify with these cars, because these were cars that were once on the streets.” Part of the lure for drivers will be coming to the Lucas Oil Raceway dragstrip, longtime home of the NHRA US Nationals. “This is hallowed ground,” Simpson said. “There are a lot of racers who are geared up not just because this is a nostalgia race, but because this is a nostalgia race at Indy.”

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Saturday, April 11, 2015 | D7

Track opens to all on Wild Wednesdays By Matthew VanTryon Flyer Correspondent

The sport of drag racing has a bounty of legends. Don Garlits, John Force, Don Prudhomme and so many others have made a name with their feats on the drag strip. But as that generation slowly rides into the sunset, a new group needs to step up and fill its place. Lucas Oil Raceway, home to one of the most prestigious tracks in the nation, offers people of all ages the opportunity to race on the same track as these legends through “Wild Wednesdays.” It might be a major step in ensuring the sport continues to thrive — but LOR General Manager Randy Simpson acknowledges that the racing community faces an uphill climb. “Every sport is always looking for that youth generation,” he said. “It’s especially important in drag racing. We know there are challenges out there — cars aren’t inexpensive, there are statistics out there about people who get their license at 16, about people who put off buying their first car. There are more challenges in getting people interested in cars today than there were 30 years ago.” LOR opens its gates at 5 p.m. each Wednesday for racers of all ages, abilities and car types to race. The fee is $20, while spectators can watch the action for $5. Simpson said as long as a driver has a street-legal car, has a driver’s license and meets a few other basic criteria, they are allowed to race. For a list of specific rules, racers should visit the raceway’s website. Simpson said the process is designed to be as simple as possible, and that officials are always eager to assist newcomers. “The racers are friendly,

the officials are friendly, and they’re more than willing to come out and lend a hand and answer questions,” he said. “We love to teach people the ropes when they come out here.” Tyler Griffin is a 24-yearold who lives on the northeast side of Indianapolis. He

comes out to the track regularly, at least three out of four weeks in the month, and said it presents an opportunity not available anywhere else. “It’s one of the only places in the community to participate or spectate with that kind of motorsport,” he

said. “It’s a really well put on event, and we enjoy going almost every week.” Not only does Griffin participate, but he invites his friends to come as well. “More or less ever y human being I come into contact with that has any interest in motorsports, I

recommend this to them,” he said. Simpson said it is crucial for young motorsports enthusiasts to share their love for the sport. “The youth is peer-driven,” Simpson said. “If we can get people in that 20-something age group

and they can put it out on social media, put it on Twitter, it makes a happening out of it.” Griffin has certainly done his part. He started IndyRPM, an organization designed for “Midwest Motorsports Enthusiasts.” Griffin began the group in October 2010, and now has nearly 5,500 likes on the group’s Facebook page. The group is a co-sponsor of this year’s Wild Wednesdays. Simpson said Wild Wednesdays are not just for a young demographic. He said drag racing is one of the most accessible sports to the general public, something the event hopes to facilitate. “NHRA drag racing is the most accessible sport for everyone to be able to participate in,” he said. “That’s at the heart of our Wild Wednesday Tests and Tunes. Everybody with a streetcar that they take to work every day to someone with a purpose-built dragster with a big block engine, they can all come participate. “Whether you have a car, truck, motorcycle, you name it, there’s really something for everybody.” He said while it can be easy for those who are around the racetrack to forget its illustrious history, the opportunity to race on the same track where so many iconic moments have occurred is something truly unique. “I think a lot of people that are close to the sport take for granted the fact that every Wednesday, you can come out here and race on the same track as John Force, Tony Schumacher, as all the legends of the sport,” he said. “What would people do to play catch at Lucas Oil Stadium or shoot hoops at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse?”

D8 | Saturday, April 11, 2015

HENDRICKS COUNTY FLYER