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Final Race Planned For Indiana State Fairgrounds Dirt Mile Track
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The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center has announced that the Indiana State Fairgrounds one-mile dirt track will be converted from a dirt surface to an all-weather track made of crushed limestone to be utilized for year-round harness training and parking for the Indiana State Fair.
The conversion of the surface means that, following the 2019 Hoosier Hundred, auto racing events will no longer be held on the famed short track. The 64th running of the 100-mile, 100-lap race, is scheduled for Thursday, May 23.
“USAC, Track Enterprises, Bob Sargent and I have been in meetings with the Fairgrounds staff and in discussion for the last two years about any way to keep auto racing at the historic one-mile oval,” USAC Series Coordinator Levi Jones explained. “To no avail, the economics of the horse industry and their desire to use the one-mile track year-round instead of the half-mile currently in the infield won out in the end.”
USAC and Track Enterprises are currently exploring possible venues that could host the Hoosier Hundred for the 2020 season and beyond.
The inaugural “Hoosier Hundred” took place in 1953 and turned into a long-lasting tradition with only a handful of interruptions due to inclement weather. Today, it remains one of the oldest, most tradition-rich racing events on the planet.
Gates for the May 23 event open at noon (EST), with the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand opening at 3 p.m. and practice beginning at 5 p.m. Silver Crown qualifying races start at 6 p.m., while the green flag drops at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available by calling Track Enterprises at 217/764-3200 or through Ticketmaster.
For more information, visit the USAC Racing website.
(Photo courtesy of Doug McSchooler and USAC).
The conversion of the surface means that, following the 2019 Hoosier Hundred, auto racing events will no longer be held on the famed short track. The 64th running of the 100-mile, 100-lap race, is scheduled for Thursday, May 23.
“USAC, Track Enterprises, Bob Sargent and I have been in meetings with the Fairgrounds staff and in discussion for the last two years about any way to keep auto racing at the historic one-mile oval,” USAC Series Coordinator Levi Jones explained. “To no avail, the economics of the horse industry and their desire to use the one-mile track year-round instead of the half-mile currently in the infield won out in the end.”
USAC and Track Enterprises are currently exploring possible venues that could host the Hoosier Hundred for the 2020 season and beyond.
The inaugural “Hoosier Hundred” took place in 1953 and turned into a long-lasting tradition with only a handful of interruptions due to inclement weather. Today, it remains one of the oldest, most tradition-rich racing events on the planet.
Gates for the May 23 event open at noon (EST), with the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand opening at 3 p.m. and practice beginning at 5 p.m. Silver Crown qualifying races start at 6 p.m., while the green flag drops at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available by calling Track Enterprises at 217/764-3200 or through Ticketmaster.
For more information, visit the USAC Racing website.
(Photo courtesy of Doug McSchooler and USAC).
