Vogler Classic, Night before the 500 preview

"VOGLER CLASSIC" AT SPEEDROME THURSDAY
60TH COCA-COLA "NIGHT BEFORE THE 500" AT IRP SATURDAY

Two keystone events are on tap for the USAC National Midget Car Series this week, beginning with Thursday night's "Vogler Classic" at the Blossom Chevrolet Indianapolis Speedrome in the Indiana speed capital.

Teddy Beach of Donnelsville, Ohio is set to defend his title in the "Thursday Night Thunder" Speedrome 100-lapper, which will cap a "tripleheader" presented by Traderindiana.com and Wheels and Deals at the 1/5-mile paved oval. Thursday's program also includes the Kenyon Midget cars and the Midwest/Speedrome Ford Focus Midgets.

Defending National Midget Champ Bobby East is among favorites Thursday after winning the May 12 race at the Blossom Chevrolet Indianapolis Speedrome. Seven-time National Midget Champ Mel Kenyon continues to hold the 100-lap USAC track record, which was set back in 1965!

Ron Gregory of Noblesville, Ind. will defend his title in Saturday night's 60th Coca-Cola "Night Before the 500" Classic at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The IRP feature is a 50-lapper on the .686-mile paved oval.

Former "Night Before the 500" winner Aaron Fike (2003) is also entered and drivers will challenge Chris Shultz' 1-lap track record of 121.219 mph.

East, who won several traditional events last year, hopes to land his first triumph in the IRP race, one of America's most revered motorsports classics.

Expected to demand their share of attention at IRP will be lady drivers Destiney Hays of Oroville, Calif. and Jessica Iannuzzi of Warminster, Pa. Hays scored a tremendous victory in last year's USAC Western Sprint Car Series at Las Vegas, Nev.

USAC NATIONAL MIDGET CAR SERIES STANDINGS
1.-Jay Drake-122
2.-Josh Wise-107
3.-Bobby East-91
4.-Cole Carter-74
5.-Teddy Beach-66
6.-Tom Hessert III-66
7.-J.J. Yeley-63
8.-Davey Ray-62
9.-Dave Steele-51
10.-Dave Darland-48

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