DLM Fan 1
08-11-2015, 10:48 PM
USAC, ARCA, & Sportsman All Set For Illinois State Fair Discount Tickets On Sale For August 22-23 Show Three great divisions of racing entertainment are setting their sights on the Springfield mile at the Illinois State Fair. The final two days of the fair, August 22-23, are highlighted by racing from the USAC Silver Crown Series, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, and the Sportsman Nationals. The yearly tradition has excitement building in fans throughout the Midwest, many of whom are taking advantage of the early bird ticket discounts. On Saturday, August 22, the cars and stars of the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series will be flying around the one-mile oval in the Tony Bettenhausen 100. The revitalized series had 24 drivers take the green in 2014, with Kody Swanson, the current point leader taking the checkered. Tracy Hines, Bobby East, A.J. Fike, and Chris Windom completed the top five in last year's event. Former Bettenhausen winners, Fike, Dave Darland, Russ Gamester, Tracy Hines, and Brian Tyler are expected to be on hand as well as numerous drivers looking for their first Springfield victory. On Sunday, August 23, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards makes its first of two dirt track stops in 2015. The very diverse series competes on a wide array of tracks, but none more different than the dirt of Springfield and DuQuoin. Last year, Kevin Swindell took the win in the SuperChevyStores.com 100. Polesitter Mason Mitchell finished second with Grant Enfinger, Frank Kimmel, and Will Kimmel completing the top five. Frank Kimmel will be one to watch, as he enters the event with eight wins at the Illinois State Fair. 30 drivers took the green in last year's ARCA event and another stout field is expected this year. While USAC is Saturday and ARCA is set for Sunday, the Sportsman will be competing in their Nationals each day. Hotlaps, qualifying, and preliminaries will be Saturday, while the feature event will be Sunday. Springfield's Jeremy Nichols will be racing for his third straight win in the class but will have plenty of challengers. A nice field of 20+ cars converged in 2014. Pre-entry is still open for Sportsman competitors through Track Enterprises. On Saturday, August 22, pits and registration open at 7:00 AM, grandstands at 9:00, practice at 10:00, and racing will begin at 12:00 noon. The program lineup will have the Sportsman heats rolling off at 12:00, an autograph session at 12:30, and green flag will wave for the Tony Bettenhausen 100 at 2:00 PM. The Sunday, August 23 schedule will see pits and registration opening at 6:00 AM, grandstands at 8:30, practice at 9:00, qualifying at 11:15, and racing at 12:00 noon. The Sportsman feature will roll off first, followed by an autograph session at 12:30, ARCA prerace ceremonies at 1:15, and the SuperChevyStores.com 100 will take the green at 1:35. Discount tickets are on sale at the State Fair office at 217-782-1979, Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200, or online at www.illinois.gov/statefair at a $5 discount each day. Advance tickets cost $25 per day for adults and $10 for children 11 and under. Tickets purchased the day of the events are $30 for adults and $10 for children. Infield passes will be on sale for $20 for adults and $5 for children. For Sunday only, discount vouchers on reserved seating are available at local Menard's stores for just $20. For more information and details on the annual Illinois State Fair race weekend, visit www.trackenterprises.com or call 217-764-3200. https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11855717_511191815702050_3930046467189182435_n.jpg ?oh=1f616888fd36a4a83702e90a2757f52f&oe=56506992