Late Model Weekend to Feature Nation's Top Short Track Stars

(July 18, 2012) - Since the resurgence of the Late Model crown jewel event in 2009, the Stoops Freightliner Redbud 300 presented by Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, Great Deals Savings Magazine, Ed Martin Toyota and Mitch Smith Auto Service at Anderson Speedway has been one of the most exciting events on the ARCA/CRA Super Series tour. The 2012 edition on Saturday, July 21 will be even more thrilling with the event expanding into the Late Model Weekend that debuts on Friday, July 20.

A new chapter to the event this year is the transition to a two-day event with opening night showcasing the JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour along with the McGunegill Engine Performance Late Models in the 2nd Annual Willy’s Race.

The events will kick off on Friday with the Anderson 100 Presented by JEGS.com for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance. All the top JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour drivers will be there including current series points leader Daniel Hemric who has won three straight series events and five events total out of the seven events contested to date for the Scott Neal Racing Team. 14 year old Anderson Bowen comes into Friday’s event second in series Championship points and is the leader in the Howie Lettow Rookie of the Year points presented by Howe Racing. Brent Downey is in third place, he is 18 points behind Bowen. Chad Finley, who has one win during the 2012 season, is in fourth place, he is 18 points behind Downey. Veteran Illinois racer Josh Nelms is in fifth place, only three points behind Downey.

Illinois racer Trent Snyder will be looking to end Hemric’s winning streak on Friday, Snyder won the series event last year at Anderson Speedway. Snyder made a great pass on Derrick Griffin on lap 33 to take the lead, then held off Brandon Watson and Griffin to get the win in his first ever race at Anderson Speedway.

Also on Friday will be the 2nd Annual Willy’s Race, a 100-lap event for the Anderson Speedway McGunegill Engine Performance Late Models. Willy’s Race honors the memory of Central Indiana racer William Mefford, a very popular driver who lost his life in a racing accident. The Willy’s Race is presented by McGunegill Engine Performance, Motion Motors, Thompson Builders, P.P.G., Norrick Petroleum, Claborn Auto Sales, Double J. Transport, K&J Farms, and Marcum Welding.

Former EDCO Welding Street Stock champion Josh Poore sits atop the MEP Late Model Standings with Brandon Phillips ranked in the second spot. Third is Ronnie Rose with Rob Allman and most recent feature winner Fred Hopkins rounding out the top five.



Saturday’s Stoops Freightliner Redbud 300 has an entry list that has not only the best ARCA/CRA Super Series drivers, but several of the top late model drivers from all over the country including defending Redbud 300 winner Steve Dorer from Lakeland, Florida. Dorer made an unforgettable last lap pass of Chase Elliott in turns three and four of the tight ¼ mile track coming to the checkers to claim the victory in last year’s Redbud 300. Dorer‘s move was more impressive because he used the challenging outside groove to make the pass and came from his 17th place starting position to get the win by .143-seconds.

The South will also be well represented Saturday by two Georgia Hot Shoe’s including T.J. Reaid, who won the ARCA/CRA Super Series season opener at Anderson Speedway in April for the Bill Elliott Racing Team and Bubba Pollard, who finished second to Reaid in that event. Pollard was the top late model driver in the country last season winning 19 feature events including a CRA Southern Tour event at Gresham Motorsports Park and claiming several series titles including the CRA Southern Tour Drivers Championship. Pollard has already scored several victories in 2012 and looks to add the Redbud 300 to his list of wins.

Florida racer Stephen Nasse has also filed an entry for Saturday’s race along with Ross Kenseth, son of current NASCAR Sprint Cup point’s leader Matt Kenseth, who recently relocated their race shop to North Carolina. Kenseth has four ARCA/CRA Super Series wins including victories last season at Columbus Motor Speedway and Plymouth Speedway.

Topping the list of series regulars that are entered includes two time series Champion and current series points’ leader Johnny Van Doorn, a three time winner at Anderson Speedway. Other top CRA drivers entered include former Anderson winners Kenny Tweedy, a four time Anderson winner and two time Anderson winner Rick Turner. Also Oklahoma native Kenzie Ruston, currently second in series points, top Boyne Machine Company rookies Travis Braden, currently third in overall series points and the leader in rookie of the year points and Becca Kasten, fourth in series points and second in rookie of the year points.

Three drivers, Josh Nelms, Tommy Cook and Trent Snyder are entered to compete in both the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour event on Friday and in the Redbud 300 on Saturday. Open wheel racer Rex Norris Jr. of Spiceland, Indiana will make his CRA debut Saturday after purchasing a car from former CRA Anderson winner and driver Champion Jeff Lane.

Two-day tickets for adults are selling for $30 with kids (6-12) available for $12.

On Friday, Spectator Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with racing beginning at 7:30 p.m. with the McGunegill Engine Performance Late Models and JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour. Single day tickets for the Friday program are $15 for adults, $4 for kids (6-12) and children five and under are admitted free.

On Saturday, spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with the Stoops Freightliner Redbud 300 going green around 7:30. Tickets are available for $25. Kids ages 6-12 are admitted with a $10 ticket. Children five and under are free.

For additional information on Anderson Speedway, visit www.andersonspeedway.com or contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.























































 
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