Anderson to Host 200-Lap National Midget Race July 25

Anderson Speedway will play host to the longest race on the 2009 USAC National Midget calendar (in terms of laps) July 25 as a field of 30 cars are scheduled to take the green flag in the "Anderson 200" at the quarter-mile paved oval.

Offering $5,000-to-win and $500-to-start, the race replaces the rained-out April 5 100-lapper and also replaces the originally-scheduled 400-lap "special event" which had been slated that night, the night before the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard NASCAR Nextel Cup race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Discussions are also underway with Anderson Speedway for an extended National race on a later date in 2010.

"There will be no break in the action this year," says race organizer Rick Dawson, referring to the fuel stop at lap 200 during last year's 400-lapper. "I'm really excited about this event becoming an annual tradition here, just like the PayLess "Little 500" Sprint car race we hold each May. Last year's Midget special event created some memorable racing and the addition of the National points this year should have a dynamic impact. We have not eliminated the 400 Midget Classic, however to insure a good field of cars, this scenario works much better for 2009. We are working on an end-of-the-season date in 2010 for a 400 lap race."

An open practice session is also scheduled at the track on July 24 so teams can prepare for the following night's 200-lap contest.

"Last year's Midget success at Anderson led to the creation of this event," says USAC Competition Director Jason McCord, who won a USAC Sprint race at Anderson in 1998. "It should create a truly competitive race and with National points on the line we expect a great turnout of cars and drivers."

In cooperation with MustSeeRacing.com, the event will be televised to over 9.5 million homes on a tape-delayed basis through Comcast SportsNet. "We are tremendously excited that we'll be able to bring this great event to so many race fans across the country" said Dawson. "Jim Hanks and the Must See Racing organization are great people to work with and the quality of their productions are second to none."

The 30-car field will coincide with what will be Anderson's 30th USAC National Midget race. A.J. Foyt won the first, back in 1960, and other National winners have included Gene Force, Gene Hartley, Cliff Spalding, Johnny White, Bobby Grim, Bob Tattersall, Bob Wente, Stan Fox, Rich Vogler, Jeff Nuckles, Tracy Hines, Ricky Shelton, Jimmy McCune, Brian Gerster, Jason Leffler, Jay Drake, Michael Lewis, Jerry Coons Jr., Bobby East, Dave Steele, Dave Darland, Teddy Beach, David Gough and Brian Clauson, Hines won last year's National Midget race at Anderson.

The July 25 race will be the longest National Midget race in terms of laps since the 1989 500-lapper at the Indianapolis Speedrome, won by Rich Vogler after it was stopped at 380 laps due to rain.

For additional information on Anderson Speedway call (765) 642-0206.