A look ahead to some big dates in local dirt track shows in 2010

While it may seem a bit absurd to start talking about dirt track racing around the mid-state while the are is in the midst of yet another batch of snow blanketing our yards, but as schedules for local tracks have begun to appear it's nice to imagine the sunny skies and dirt flying for just a moment as we look at some of the summer's highlight shows.

For the sake of space constraints I've only listed some of the shows dirt track fans can look ahead to at three local tracks, The Terre Haute Action Track, Bloomington Speedway and Lincoln Park Speedway.

There's been a fairly decent amount of chatter amongst fans about the small number of shows slated for the legendary half-mile track in Terre Haute, but there's no shortage of quality talent that will be on display there this season. There will be four shows contested at the fairground's speedway beginning with a Saturday, May 15 show under the Midwest Sprint Car Series banner to open the season.

Jon Stanbrough is the defending champion of the Union Hospital/Don Smith Classic as he made a thrilling last lap pass of Damion Gardner to take last year's event.

Also featured that night will be "Megasauraus," the car eating, fire breathing dragon.

The First Financial Bank "Tony Hulman Classic" presented by Budweiser and 500 Express will be on Thursday, May 27 as defending USAC National Sprint Car Series champ, Levi Jones, attempts to win his third straight in the event.

Up next on the slate will be a USAC Sprint Week date sponsored by First Financial Bank, which will take place during the Vigo County Fair.

As anyone who was there last year remembers, the sight of a full field of sprinters taking the green down the frontstretch, with the full lit ferris wheel in the background, is pretty dang cool. The racing is always hot as the coveted Sprint Week crown is in the balance for this date. Brad Sweet is the defending champion of the race.

The 2010 season wraps up on Saturday, Sept. 11 with the return of the First Financial Bank "Jim Hurtubise Classic" presented by Dorsett Mitsubishi.

Hurtubise is credited with giving the half-mile clay oval it's "Action Track" nickname after a race in the 1960's.

Historic Bloomington Speedway will also have its share of big races this season and fans flock to the legendary red clay on Friday nights.

The season opens there on Friday, April 16 with a regular show of sprints, UMP Modifieds and UMP Super Stocks. The following weekend should see some massive sprint counts as the Spring Clash pays $3,000 to the winner and has become a great early season measuring stick for the summer.

On May 7, the Larry Rice Classic is on tap for the USAC Sprint Cars and the pits will likely be full once again for some great racing that will include the Midwest Mini Sprint Association (MMSA).

The King of Indiana Sprint Series (KISS) is slated for a May 21 show that pays $2,500 to win and $250 to start the feature.

One of the biggest shows of the season is up on June 4 as the 22nd Annual Sheldon Kinser Memorial takes place with $3,000 going to the winner and $300 to start the feature along with lap money paid to the leader of each lap.

On June 18, the USAC Midget Week date is scheduled and though it doesn't yet have the history of sprint week, it's already gained a huge fan following. As a bonus, the sprint cars will also be on hand with plenty of the USAC teams unloading both midgets and sprints to try for a double-dip feature win.

Dirt Late Models hit the track on July 9 as the Indiana Late Model Series (ILMS) is slated along with the UMP Super Stocks, Hornets and UMP Modifieds.

Indiana Sprint Week at Bloomington is one of the biggest draws of the year for both drivers and fans with the winner taking home some bragging rights that evening. The 23rd Annual Indiana Sprint Week date is on July 16 and will also feature the MMSA.

The winged sprint cars of the O'Reilly Midwest All Stars are on tap for Aug. 20 with $2,000 going to the winner.

The next-to-last show of the season will be a good one as the Midwest Sprint Car Series (MSCS) will pay $5,000 to the winner on Sept. 17.

In Putnamville, Lincoln Park Speedway kicks off the season with a big party on April 10 as the Indiana Open Wheel/D.O. RaceFest that was rained out to end the 2009 season, starts 2010 in style.

There is plenty of lap money to be had for sprints and modifieds and there will be a fireworks show as well.

There are still some tentative scheduling possibilities at LPS and some of those are reason for excitement as the USAC Midgets are listed on the USAC schedule for a May 1 date as well as for a Midget Week date on June 17.

The Super Stock Summer 30 is scheduled for June 19 and that will pay $500 to the winner.

Some other big dates on the calendar include the UMP Summer Nationals for Late Models on Monday, June 28, which will pay $6,000 to the winner.

The 23rd Annual Putnamville Clash is slated for July 31 and that will pay $2,000 to the winner and the King of Non-Wing event will be Sept. 4 and will also pay $2,000 to the winner.

The 7th Annual Patriot 50 for UMP Modifieds will take place on Sept. 11 with $2,000 to the winner.

Terre Haute Action Track

Saturday, May 15

Midwest Sprint Car Series

Thursday, May 27

First Financial Bank "Tony Hulman Classic"

USAC Sprint Cars

Wednesday, July 14

First Financial Bank Indiana Sprint Week

Saturday, September 11

First Financial Bank Jim Hurtubise Classic

USAC Sprint Cars

Lincoln Park Speedway

Saturday, April 10

Season opener

Indiana Open Wheel/D.O. Racefest

May 1

USAC Midgets

Thursday, June 17

USAC Midget Week

Saturday, June 19

Super Stock Summer 30

$500 to win for super stocks

Monday, June 28

UMP Summer Nationals Late Models

$6,000 to win

July 17

6th Annual Bomber Bash

$300 to win and $50 to start

July 24

23rd Annual Putnamville Clash

Sprints $2,000 to win

September 4

King of Non-Wing for Sprints

$2,000 to win

Friday, September 10

USAC Sprint Cars

September 11

7th Annual Patriot 50 for Modifieds

$2,000 to win

Bloomington Speedway

April 23

Sprint cars $3,000 to win $300 to start plus lap money

May 7

Larry Rice Classic

USAC Sprint Cars and Midwest Mini Sprints

May 21

King of Indiana Sprint Series (KISS)

Sprint cars $2,500 to win and $250 to start

June 4

22nd Annual Sheldon Kinser Memorial

Sprint cars $3,000 to win and $300 to start plus lap money

June 18

USAC Midget Week plus regular sprint cars

July 16

Indiana Sprint Week

USAC Sprint Cars and Midwest Mini Sprints

August 20

O'Reilly Midwest All Stars 410 Wing Sprint Cars

$2,000 to win and $200 to start

September 17

Midwest Sprint Car Series (MSCS)

$5,000 to win sprint cars