61st Pay Less Little 500 Set for Saturday Night

Six former champions and a talented list of challengers are set for the largest purse ever in the 61st Pay Less Little 500 at Anderson Speedway on Saturday Night, May 23. Over $123,000 will be up for grabs in the richest asphalt Sprint Car race in the country.

The former winners of the prestigious Pay Less Little 500 that are returning this year are led by eight-time winner Eric Gordon, who has won six of the last eight events including a most recent victory in 2007. Defending race winner Shane Cottle seeks a second consecutive victory aboard the locally owned Larry Contos entry. The 2006 winner Brian Tyler, who snapped Gordon’s remarkable streak of five consecutive victories, will compete in a second Contos entry. Other previous champions that have filed entries three-time Pay Less Little 500 champion Jeff Bloom (1972, 77, 91), 1999 winner Chet Fillip and 1996 winner Dave Steele.

Other notable drivers that plan on competing include 2006 pole winner Aaron Pierce, who has been runner-up twice to Gordon in 2004 and 2007. Warsaw’s Tony Elliott will compete in his 16th Little 500 and returns after a runner-up finish last year. Elliott has notched six top-five finishes with four top-three performances. California’s Tony Hunt, a five-time USAC champion returns this year for his seventh Little 500 appearance. He has produced three top-five performances with a best showing of second in 2004.

Entries have also been received by Alexandria’s Donnie Adams Jr., who captured the 2007 pole position, 2002 race runner-up Jonathan Vennard, Florida hot shoe Troy Decaire, who has teamed up with Mike Blake Racing along with 2006 Rookie of the Year Russ Gamester.

The format of the 61st Pay Less Little 500 is unique to Sprint Car racing. The starting grid is comprised of thirty-three cars in 11 rows of three, charging to the green flag. Two mandatory pits stops are required during the challenging 500-lap event. Billed as the most entertaining event in auto racing, fans will be filled with anticipation in the most exciting start to a racing event.

Pay Less Little 500 week kicks off on Wednesday night, May 20 with the Wing Sprint Cars featured in the MustSeeRacing.com 60. Drivers from the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series (HOSS), Auto Value Sprint Series (AVSS) along with the Florida based Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) and Checkered Flag Sprint Series (CFSS) are expected to participate in this exciting event.

On Wednesday, the spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with qualifying set for 6 and racing taking center stage at 7. Adult admission is $10 in advance and $15 on race day. Kids 6-12 are admitted for $4 with children five and under free.

First round qualifications for the 61st Pay Less Little 500 will take place on Thursday, May 21, beginning at 1:30 p.m. On Friday afternoon, May 22, the 33-car field will be set with the second round of qualifications. On Saturday, May 23, the 61st Pay Less Little 500 green flag waves at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available for the legendary 61st Pay Less Little 500 at $27 for reserved seating. For more information, contact the Anderson Speedway Ticket Office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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