8/17-18 26th Annual IL Sportsman Nationals @ IL State Fair, Springfield IL

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Illinois State Fair Racing Saturday-Sunday, August 17-18 Illinois State Fairgrounds Springfield, IL Saturday, August 17 USAC Racing Silver Crown Series 58th Annual Bettenhausen 100 + 26th Annual Illinois Sportsman Nationals DIRTcar Racing Sportsman Prelims SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 SPRINGFIELD TIMES: 7:00 AM Pits & Registration 9:00 AM Ticket Office & Grandstands 9:30 AM Drivers Meetings 10:00-11:10 AM Silver Crown Practice 11:30 AM Silver Crown Qualifying 12:00 PM Sportsman Hotlaps 12:30 PM Silver Crown B-Main 1:00 PM Sportsman Heats 1:30 PM Pre-Race Ceremonies 2:00 PM USAC Silver Crown 58th Annual Bettenhausen 100 Sunday, August 18 Menards ARCA RACING SERIES 57th Annual Allen Crowe Memorial 100 + 26th Annual Illinois Sportsman Nationals SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 SPRINGFIELD TIMES: 5:30 AM Pits & Registration 7:30 AM Chapel Service 8:00 AM Drivers Meeting 8:30 AM Ticket Office & Grandstands 9:00 AM Practice 11:00 AM ARCA Qualifying 12:00 PM 26th Annual Illinois Sportsman Nationals 12:15 PM Driver Autograph Session 1:15 PM ARCA Driver Introduction 1:30 PM National Anthem 1:35 PM 57th Annual Allen Crowe Memorial 100 (*Don’t forget our two other local shows the same weekend, Lincoln Speedway Friday, August 16 and Macon Speedway Saturday night, August 17.) SPRINGFIELD TICKET INFO: Tickets will be available on raceday or by calling the State Fair office at 217-782-1979. Info and tickets can also be obtained by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200. Discount tickets for Sunday also available at Menards. RESERVED SEATING Advance Tickets (Presale) $25 Adults Per Day $10 Children 11 & Under Per Day Day Of Tickets (At Gate) $30 Adults Per Day $10 Children 11 & Under Per Day INFIELD TICKETS $20 Adults $5 Children 11 & Under PIT PASSES $35 Adults Each Day $20 Children 11 & Under Each Day $50 Two-Day Pit Pass INFIELD PARKING $5 For Those Parking On Infield With No Infield Or Pit Passes HOST HOTEL Carpenter Street Hotel In Springfield 888-779-9100 or www.carpenterstreethotel.com

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The Facebook events for these races are: Bettenhausen 100: https://www.facebook.com/events/330172094499984/ Allen Crowe 100/IL Sportsman Nationals: https://www.facebook.com/events/329040244412033/

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Traditional USAC, ARCA, Sportsman Races Highlight Last Weekend of Illinois State Fair July 23, 2019—Track Enterprises is proud to partner with the United States Auto Club, the Automobile Racing Club of America and the UMP Dirt Car Series to continue a tradition at the Illinois State Fair that dates back to 1905. One hundred plus years of motorsports continues during the last weekend of the 2019 Illinois State Fair with the USAC Silver Crown Bettenhausen 100, the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menard’s Allen Crowe 100 and the Sportsman Nationals. These traditional one mile dirt track events are among the most prestigious on the USAC and ARCA schedules and a focal point of the schedules of many race fans. Auto exhibitions first came to the Illinois State fair as early as 1905 and actual competition followed a few years later. Open wheel, upright machines have been a part of auto racing since the early days and stepped into the national spotlight when the Illinois State Fair hosted its first national championship race in August of 1934. The United States Auto Club began sanction of the fair championship race in 1956 and continued when the Silver Crown division was formed in 1971. USAC brings an outstanding mix of young talent and wily veterans to the Illinois State Fair on Saturday, August 17 for the annual Bettenhausen 100. The Saturday championship race acquired the Bettenhausen name in 1961, honoring two-time national champ and Tinley Park native Tony Bettenhausen and eventually his entire family. The 2018 version became an instant classic as rookie Kevin Thomas Jr. battled with Tyler Courtney for over 80 miles at the front of the pack. 2016 USAC national champion Chris Windom bided his time saving his tires and blew past the leaders at the end to win his first Bettenhausen and become the third central Illinois driver to win the Springfield championship event. An entry list of 40 plus drivers is anticipated for the 2019 Bettenhausen including a large contingent from Illinois which numbered eleven strong in 2018. Three time national champ Kody Swanson currently leads the USAC Silver Crown points while Courtney won the May Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Stock cars first ran on the fairground mile in September of 1950 and joined the fair’s entertainment lineup in August of 1965. The stock car race was named for the late Allen Crowe, a Springfield native who was a rising star in USAC and at Indianapolis. The Automobile Racing Club of America which has sanctioned the Allen Crowe 100 since 1985, is known for attracting rising talent as well as a few local drivers attempting to enter Springfield’s victory lane. Youth has been served very well two of the last three seasons as 17 year old Justin Hayley became the youngest driver ever to win a major race at Springfield in 2016 and 18 year old Christian Eckes took the Crowe 100 last year. Eckes returns for a second shot at the Springfield dirt currently third in the ARCA title chase behind Michael Self and Bret Holmes. The state fair stock car event draws local interest as well, Springfield’s Justin Allgaier became the first hometown driver to win the Crowe 100 in 2006. Galesburg’s A.J. Fike became the second central Illinois driver to win the Crowe in 2015 after a near miss in 2013. While Kelly Kovski recovered from injury in 2017 his friend Grant Enfinger took the seat and the car owned by the Springfield team won the event! Since 1905 numerous local and area drivers have honed their skills on the Springfield Mile in a variety of events, from sprint cars to midgets to stock cars. Entering year 26 the Sportsman Nationals event has become a signature event of the UMP Dirt Car series. Short track regulars from Macon, Fairbury, Jacksonville and similar venues all point to the 20 mile event on the last weekend of the fair. Springfield drivers Wes O’Dell and Dennis Vandermeersch are multi-time winners of the Sportsman event and came back to post top runs last year. Jeremy Nichols won five in a row until Ethan Schnapp broke the victory string with a popular win last year. The action begins Saturday August 17 with practice for the USAC Silver Crown Bettenhausen 100 at 10 a.m. and the 100-mile event slated for 2 p.m. On Sunday August 18 practice for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menard’s Allen Crowe 100 begins at 9 a.m. with the Crowe 100 taking the green flag at approximately 1:40 p.m. Heat races for the Sportsman Nationals are slated for Saturday prior to the Bettenhausen 100 with the 20 mile main event Sunday prior to the Allen Crowe 100. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on race day, $10 for children 11 and under and can be purchased at the Illinois State Fair Box Office, Ticketmaster locations or by calling Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200.

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https://www.facebook.com/TrackEnterp...65755067336606

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Springfield Mile Produces and Hosts Champions By jay Hardin Track Enterprises Staff Since the turn of the twentieth century Springfield, Illinois has had a love affair with fast racing cars. When the original Illinois State Fair mile was constructed it was originally intended for horses, but soon after 1900 cars and motorcycles became part of the grandstand lineup. In the 100 plus years since Barney Oldfield circled the fairgrounds mile the Illinois State Fairgrounds has played host to and helped develop some of the most famous racing drivers in the United States and around the globe. Don’t let some of the promotional hype lead you astray, the big dirt mile on 336 acres in north Springfield is hardly a “minor” league venue. Since 1934 the Springfield Mile has been host to a prestigious 100-mile national championship dirt track event, a race now known as the Bettenhausen 100. Since the two-man Indianapolis machines appeared in August of 1934, 563 drivers have started a 100-mile national championship race in the capitol city. Of those 563, 185 made at least one Indianapolis 500 start with 23 drivers actually winning the 500-mile race. The Illinois State Fairgrounds has been host to 73 national championship race winners, 21 national champions, 76 USAC Silver Crown race winners, 32 Silver Crown champions and 39 USAC/AAA Sprint Car champions, 20 USAC/AAA Midget champions and even 5 USAC Stock Car champs have started at least one Springfield championship event. Stock cars made their first appearance in 1950 under the AAA banner with USAC and ARCA sanction to follow in later years. There were only two events during the 1950’s before stock cars made the Illinois State Fairgrounds a permanent home in 1961. Since 1950, 4 AAA, 13 USAC and 21 ARCA drivers who were or would be champions of their respective series made at least one stock car start on the Springfield Mile. 6 AAA stock car race winners, 45 USAC and 118 ARCA main event winners were also in a stock car lineup at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Add 5 champs of the various NASCAR series and 24 NASCAR race winners including three who would count a Daytona 500 trophy among their collection. Fans probably know the names of many of the championship and stock car drivers by heart. However, it may not be well known that before and after the first World War Hall of Famers such as Lewis Strang, Louis Chevrolet, Tommy Milton and Fred Horey ran their big cars on the Springfield Mile. During the 1920’s Lou Schneider and Bill Cummings thrilled Illinois State Fair crowds before they won the Indianapolis 500. Sprint cars ran during the late 1930’s, 1940’s and again in the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s bringing Gus Schrader, Joie Chitwood, Jimmy Wilburn, (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) Gaines, Bill Utz, Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell and Doug Wolfgang among others who were greats in the sprint car world. Midget standouts Mel Kenyon, Arnie Knepper, Danny and Jimmy Caruthers, Kevin Olson and even Jeff Gordon wheeled one of the little cars on the big track. Late model stock car titans from Scott Bloomquist to Billy Moyer rmoved Springfield dirt, as have Modified and Sportsman standouts Jeff Leka, Scott Orr, Jim Shereck, Brian Shirley, Wes O’Dell, Dennis Vandermeersch and Steve Sheppard Jr. Who will be the next legend who visits or is created by a run on the Springfield Mile? We find out in less than two weeks when the action begins Saturday August 17 with practice for the USAC Silver Crown Bettenhausen 100 at 10 a.m. and the 100-mile event slated for 2 p.m. On Sunday August 18 practice for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menard’s Allen Crowe 100 begins at 9 a.m. with the Crowe 100 taking the green flag at approximately 1:40 p.m. Heat races for the Sportsman Nationals are slated for Saturday prior to the Bettenhausen 100 with the 20 mile main event Sunday prior to the Allen Crowe 100.

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Here is more information on a pair of great events running in conjunction with this weekend's Illinois State Fair events under the Track Enterprises banner Friday, August 16 Night Before the Mile Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/369007743746493/ Saturday, August 17 4th Annual Camfield Memorial Facebook event link https://www.facebook.com/events/409989966390111/

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Christian Eckes is looking to go back-to-back in Sunday's ARCA Menards race at the Illinois State Fair. Eckes took the 2018 win at the Springfield Mile. Tickets available by calling Track Enterprises, the State Fair box office, or at Central Illinois area Menards locations. https://www.arcaracing.com/articles/...at-springfield

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https://www.facebook.com/TrackEnterp...5755067336606/

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This week's mailer! State Fair Race Weekend Upon Us.. Lincoln, Macon, & Springfield Mile - https://mailchi.mp/154c5950a6be/stat...ringfield-mile

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For those wanting information on the Quarter Midget parade lap before the Bettenhausen 100, here is the info. (We did not make the flier and are aware of the typo, but the contact information is what is important here)

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Michael Self is set for first career dirt race on Sunday afternoon at the Springfield Mile. Tickets to Sunday's event are available at Central Illinois area Menards in addition to the State Fair box office, by calling Track Enterprises, and at the gate on raceday. https://www.arcaracing.com/articles/...at-springfield

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26th Sportsman Nationals Field Star Studded By Jay Hardin Track Enterprises Staff Springfield, IL (August 14, 2019)-The current entry list for the 26th running of the Sportsman Nationals event during this weekend’s Illinois State Fair is star studded and may be one of the most competitive in the history of the event. The race is the pinnacle for area short track UMP Sportsman drivers who race on the World’s Fastest One Mile Dirt Track but once per year. Five former winners dot the entry list along with some famous names returning to the Springfield Mile. Springfield’s Dennis Vandermeersch and Wes O’Dell dominated the first years of the sportsman nationals race, each winning five times between 1994 and 2010. O’Dell had started every event from 1994 through the 2014 race before taking a haitus and returning last year to finish second while friend Vandermeersch made a fine run to third. Both are past age 50 yet appear to be quite capable of keeping up with the younger set. Jeremy Nichols of Lovington won five straight races starting in 2013 and led nearly every lap in the process. He appeared poised for win number six in 2018 yet faded after leading the first lap and finished fourth. Monticello’s Tim (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) won the 2007 race and returns after missing last year. Ethan Schnapp of Springfield won in 2018 leading the last 19 miles to score a very popular win in front of a partisan crowd. He returns to defend his title. Randy Huffman of Maroa and Eli English of Benton bring back two famous last names that were frequent competitors in the ARCA Allen Crowe 100 which is also part of the racing weekend. Heat races for the UMP Sportsman are on Saturday during events for the USAC Silver Crown Bettenhausen 100 presented by Brandt while the 20 mile main event is slated immediately prior to the Allen Crowe 100 presented by Lucas Oil on Sunday. The Sportsman Nationals are all part of a huge race weekend in Central Illinois featuring POWRi Midgets at Lincoln Speedway on Friday night, USAC Silver Crown Series on Saturday afternoon at the Illinois State Fair, POWRi Midgets Saturday night at Macon Speedway, and the ARCA Menards Series on Sunday afternoon at the Illinois State Fair. For more information, visit www.trackenterprises.com.

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Bettenhausen 100 Postponed at Illinois State Fair Event Rescheduled For Sunday September 22 (Springfield, IL) Steady morning rainfall has forced the postponement of Saturday afternoon’s racing program at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, IL. On schedule was the Bettenhausen 100 presented by Brandt for the USAC Silver Crown Series. The event has been rescheduled for Sunday afternoon, September 22. Track Enterprises promoter Bob Sargent stated, “Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn’t cooperate with us this morning. We know that fans and teams alike really look forward to this event so we have rescheduled the Bettenhausen 100 on an available date. We hope that everyone comes back to support the event.” The Sunday portion of the State Fair race weekend is still on as scheduled. On track action will include the ARCA Menards Series in the Allen Crowe Memorial 100 presented by Lucas Oil and the Sportsman Nationals. Sportsman Feature is set for 12:00, while the ARCA Menards Series event is scheduled for 1:30. Tickets for Sunday’s event are available at the State Fair box office or at the gate or raceday. For more information on the event, visit www.trackenterprises.com

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Time to turn our attention to Sunday for the Allen Crowe Memorial 100 presented by Lucas Oil. Joining the ARCA Menards Series will be the Sportsman Nationals. Grandstands open at 8:30 AM, Hotlaps at 9:00, Qualifying at 11, and racing begins at 12 noon with the Sportsman Nationals followed by ARCA at 1:30. Here’s a cool story about the Illinois drivers in the race. https://www.arcaracing.com/articles/...at-springfield