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The Memorial Day weekend generally marks one of the biggest auto racing weekends in the country as many tracks will be hosting bigger then usual events and some will even be taking advantage of the three day holiday and hold multiple shows.
The biggest show of them all, however, is the Indianapolis 500. Without question it is the premier race in the world. For years it has been appropriately recognized as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” and for good reason.
The historical magnitude that centers on both the race and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is far-reaching. Dating back to 1909 it’s easy to see why Indy has not only survived the test of time but become the dream track by which anyone who has ever donned a helmet and driving suit has, in some way, a burning aspiration to compete at.
It would be hard to argue that in motorsports NASCAR’s popularity reigns supreme in this day and age but you can’t overlook the fact that it was and still is the Indy 500 that remains as the crown jewel over all other racing events worldwide.
The growth of NASCAR racing on big tracks began, in part, with Indianapolis. Seeing the need to bring professional auto racing to the south, NASCAR’s first super speedway, Darlington, came to be only after track owner Harold Barsington made yearly trips to the Indy 500 and wanted to build a similar design which tuned out to be the first big-scaled speedway used by NASCAR. That was back in 1950.
It is Indianapolis, not Daytona, which is the racing capitol of the world. Winning drivers become instant superstars. The list of names etched on the Borg Warner trophy is a virtual who’s who in Motorsports.
It’s hard to describe the history within the hallowed walls of the 2.5-mile oval. However, if you have ever been to this great arena you can quickly understand why it is so steeped in tradition.
To race at Indy always has been and still is a privilege and honor. Drivers come seeking glory and fame but only a few are rewarded in such. No matter how they fare they do become respectful of its presence.
Only the true racing loyalists can appreciate the fact that no NASCAR race equals the level of man and machine which makes Indy so singular. In NASCAR racing has become almost an every week attraction, yet another reason that sets Indy apart as it builds up to the moment twelve months leading up to every Memorial Day weekend.
Some may say that the luster and reputation that once was so highly regarded has since faded to just another race due to the decade old split in open-wheel Indy Car racing.
The Indy Car Series and Champ Car remain at odds which only fuels NASCAR’s dominance at motor racings forefront. The media has not been kind either by downplaying the race since the two organizations split in 1996.
Despite all that the fact remains that the Indy 500 is still the largest auto racing event.
This year’s field is filled with talent from all walks of the racing world and has the making of another inspiring chapter to this grand contest.
Names that have become synonymous with Indy such as Foyt, Andretti and Unser amazingly they are still there although as second or third generation, but none-the-less that is just another of the many mystics of Indy, “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
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As mentioned many race racks will be holding bigger then normal feature races.
This year several Central Pennsylvania speedways have joined together to form the first annual Keystone Cup 410 Sprint Series. It is a companion series to the PA Sprint Speedweek which is held mid-summer.
Six nights of racing kicked off with the World of Outlaws race at Grandview Speedway on Wednesday night.
Last evening, although not the Outlaws, it was Big Diamond Raceway that hosted the 410’s and tonight the Keystone Cup will be in action at Williams Grove Speedway. Then it’s off to Lincoln Speedway on Saturday before closing out at Selinsgrove Speedway on Sunday night.
Selinsgrove will host two complete racing programs this weekend. On Saturday the MAPCO Machine Shop late models will be featured in the Sunbury Eagles Club No. 503 Late Model 30 championship paying $2,500 to win and $200 to start. The qualifying format will include time trials, heat races and a $200-to-win dash. The late model purse increase is also being supplemented by Jeff’s Auto Body.
Jim Yoder of Selinsgrove is the defending winner of the 30-lap spring championship. Also on the card will be the 358 sprint cars and pro stocks. Track gates will open at 5 p.m.
Sunday’s Keystone Cup Series will be a 30-lap main paying $5,000 to win. Time trials, heat races and a B-main will be the qualifying format for Sunday’s race. Track gates will open at 5 p.m.
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