Anderson Speedway Announces 400 Lap Midget Classic on July 26, 2008

Anderson Speedway officials have announced a 400 Lap Midget Classic will be held at the historic Speedway on July 26, 2007. Home to the prestigious Pay Less Little 500 held annually each Memorial Day weekend, Anderson Speedway is making preparations for one of the most unique and exciting races in its 61 year history.

“This is a project I have been working on for quite some time” said Rick Dawson, President of the Speedway. “May 24, 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Pay Less Little 500 and I felt this would be a great time to start another tradition at our track with the addition of a long distance Midget race. The response I have gotten from the fans and competitors I have shared this with has been overwhelming and I expect it to be a huge event for the track and City of Anderson. In no way will this new event overshadow the great tradition of the Pay Less Little 500, yet I expect the two events to compliment each other.”

Specific details about the race including rules and ticket information will be forthcoming after the first of the year. However, the event is expected to cover three days including practice on Thursday, July 24th, practice and qualifying on Friday, the 25th and the race will take the green flag at 8:00 pm on the 26th. The basic format will be a 400 lap race with a break at lap 200. The cars will make live pit stops in the infield just as the sprint cars do at the Pay Less Little 500. Although not finalized, the purse structure is expected to pay the winner a minimum of $7,500 with last place receiving a minimum of $1,200 for the expected 32 car field. Officials are working on a “Lucky Dog” similar to the NASCAR Sprint Cup rule, to make it possible for more competitors to be on the lead lap during the second half of the race.

“I would not be at all surprised to see 70 to 80 cars from all over the country to try to make this race” said Dawson. “We are going to configure the rules, both technical and race procedural, to be as fair and simple as possible as we have done with the Little 500. The midpoint break is necessary, at least this first year, to insure the batteries in the Midgets will endure 400 grueling laps. I believe Joe Helping built this track for Midgets and a 400 Lap Midget race should prove exciting and competitive.”

The 400 Lap Midget Classic is expected to become an annual event held the night before the prestigious Allstate 400 at the Brickyard NASCAR Sprint Cup series race and the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fans will be treated to a weekend full of racing action at the two Central Indiana Speedways.

Further information will be available on the Anderson Speedway website at www.andersonspeedway.com after the first of the year.