Weekend Preview: April 7-9

By: Nate Bickel
Friday, April 7

Bloomington Speedway (CANCELLED)

Racing returns to the red clay of Bloomington Speedway on Friday evening when the track hosts its 2017 season opener.

Last season we saw a great battle for the track championship between Jeff Bland and Brady Short. In the end it was Bland winning the title by 45 points over Short while Jordan Kinser finished third in the standings.

Bland returns to defend his title this year against 6-time track champion Brady Short. Also planning to run the full slate in 2017 is Elizabethtown's Dakota Jackson who could be a factor in the title battle along with a number of other Bloomington regulars.

Dakota Jackson, in action here in 2016, plans to run for a championship in both the 410 and 305
classes at Bloomington Speedway
PC: Braden Rouse Photography

In 305 sprint cars it was Jared Fox taking home the 2016 title after narrowly defeating Luke Bland, by nine points, in the standings. 305 RaceSavers will not be in action on Friday night but modifieds and super stocks will join the non-wing sprint cars.

Pricing & Times

General Admission - $15
Kids 12 & Under - Free
Pit Passes - $30

Pit Gates: 4:30 pm
Grandstands: 5:30 pm
Hot Laps: 6:30 pm
Raicng: 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 8

Kokomo Speedway

"Indiana's Baddest Bullring" kicks off its 2017 campaign on Saturday night with night number one of the two day Kokomo Grand Prix which features the USAC National Midgets as well as the Kokomo 410 non-wing sprint cars. Originally slated for Friday, night one of the Kokomo Grand Prix had to be moved to Saturday because of weather concerns.

Kevin Thomas Jr. won the 2016 Kokomo Speedway track championship
PC: Braden Rouse Photography

Saturday night will be the first of 18 scheduled non-wing sprint car events at Kokomo Speedway this season.

If you are unable to attend on Saturday you can catch all of the action on Speed Shift TV which will broadcast both the midget and sprint car action live.

Pricing & Times

General Admission - $20
Kids 10 & Under - Free
Pit Passes - $35

Pit Gates - 3 pm
Grandstands - 3 pm
Qualifying - 6 pm
Racing - 7 pm

Lincoln Park Speedway

The Midwest Sprint Car Series (MSCS) begins its season on Saturday night in Putnamville for IndianaOpenWheel.com Racin' Fest. The event also serves as the season opener for LPS as well as race one of the Indiana Sprint Car Series for MAVTV.

The MSCS event is the first of 17 scheduled events for the series. Saturday night's feature winner will collect $4,000. Brady Short is the returning series champion after winning his third series title in 2016 while Shane Cockrum is the reigning track champion.

Brady Short captured his third MSCS title in 2016
PC: Braden Rouse Photography

Joining the sprint cars on Saturday evening will be modifieds, super stocks and bombers.

Pricing & Times

General Admission - $20
Kids 10 & Under - Free
Pit Passes - $30

Pit Gates - 3 pm
Grandstands - 4:30 pm
Hot Laps - 6 pm
Racing - 7 pm

Lawrenceburg Speedway

The Kelsey Chevrolet sprint cars return to action on the high banks of Lawrenceburg Speedway on Saturday night on Youth Sports Night.

2016 saw Jarett Andretti collect his first Lawrenceburg track championship after a spirited season-long battle with former track champion, Joss Moffatt.

Jarett Andretti won the Lawrenceburg track championship in 2016
PC: Braden Rouse Photography

Also in action on Saturday night: UMP modifieds, pure stocks and hornets.

Any youth sports member attending the races in his or her uniform will be granted free admission for the evening.

Pricing & Times

General Admission - $15
Kids 7 to 12 - $7
Kids 6 & Under - Free
Pit Passes - $30

Pit Gates - 4 pm
Grandstands - 5 pm
Hot Laps - 6 pm
Racing - 7 pm

Anderson Speedway

There will also be some pavement sprint car action Saturday night when Anderson Speedway hosts the 100 lap Glen Niebel Classic.

Aaron Pierce won the event in 2016 followed by Chris Neuenschwander and Geoff Kaiser. Travis Welpott and Don Hamilton rounded out the top five last year.

The Top Speed Modified Tour, FastKarts and thunder cars will also be in action on Saturday night.

Pricing & Times

General Admission - $15
Kids 6 to 12 - $4
Kids 5 & Under - Free
Pit Passes -

Pit Gates - 1:30 pm
Hot Laps - 3 pm
Qualifying - 4:30 pm
Racing - 6 pm

Sunday, April 9

Kokomo Speedway

Racing continues on Sunday evening at Kokomo Speedway for night number two of the Kokomo Grand Prix featuring the USAC National Midgets as well as non-wing sprint cars. Originally slated for Saturday, day two of the Kokomo Grand Prix has been shifted to Sunday due to weather concerns.

Speed Shift TV will once again be providing live pay per view coverage of the event. For more information visit Speed Shift TV's website.

Pricing & Times

General Admission - $20
Kids 10 & Under - Free
Pit Passes - $35

Pit Gates - 3 pm
Grandstands - 3 pm
Qualifying - 6 pm
Racing - 7 pm

Schedule subject to change