USAC & UMP Highlight Terre Haute Schedule
Story By:Track Enterprises Media Photos By:Gordon Gill/USAC Media Photo
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Terre Haute Action Track, has announced the 2016-season schedule for the half-mile race track. The speedway holds several special events during the summer that feature divisions from the United States Auto Club and United Midwestern Promoters.
The campaign will begin on Sunday, April 3, with the season opener featuring the USAC Silver Crown Series. Shane Cockrum held off a late race challenge from C.J. Leary to take his second career Silver Crown victory in last year’s race, which was held in July. This year’s opener will also feature the UMP Modifieds.
The second event on this year’s schedule is set for Sunday, May 1. On the card will be the Midwest Sprint Car Series and UMP Modifieds. Last season, 23 drivers took the green with Brady Short taking the victory over Jerry Coons Jr. and Carson Short. Former NASCAR racer and current television personality Kenny Wallace took the win in the Modifieds.
Back on the schedule for 2016 is the Tony Hulman Classic, set for Wednesday, May 25. The event, held the week of the Indianapolis 500 and the night before the Hoosier 100, features the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series and UMP Modifieds. Last season, the race was postponed due to bad weather and was run in September as part of the Hurtubise Classic.
The fourth event this year will feature a special event for the DIRTcar Summer Nationals and the Indiana Late Model Series on Sunday, June 19. Last season, officials attempted a UMP sanctioned pro late model event but due to lack of area cars, the count was small for the race. This season, the late model race will be an Indiana Late Model Series scheduled event, which should bring a solid field of cars. The class is based at Brownstown Speedway.
Historically, the biggest event of the year is the Don Smith Classic, held during USAC Indiana Sprint week. This year, the event is set for Wednesday, July 13, which is also part of fair week in Vigo County. Last season, the stands were jam packed for one of the best turnouts in recent memory. Ninteen-year old Aaron Farney claimed his first career victory against a near 40-car field.
Rounding out this year’s slate of events is the Jim Hurtubise Classic for the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series on Friday, Sept. 16. Last year, another great turnout of fans saw an exciting show that had Robert Ballou claiming the lead with three laps to go. The UMP Modifieds will join the USAC sprint cars for the season finale.
