Poore Ready to Chase Redbud 400 Glory in Two Divisions
ANDERSON, Indiana – Anderson native Josh Poore has spent much of his racing career at Anderson Speedway, building a reputation as one of the most successful drivers to ever compete at the historic quarter-mile oval.
Now, the Anderson native will have a chance to add another chapter to that legacy when the 60th Annual CB Fabricating Redbud 400 returns to the track’s local divisions on Saturday, July 25.
Poore, the winningest Street Stock driver in Anderson Speedway history with 52 career victories, will take on the grueling 400-lap event by competing in both the Vern’s Concrete Late Model and Vore’s Welding & Steel Street Stock divisions. Both races will pay $5,000 to win.
“It’s really cool,” Poore said of the Redbud 400 returning to the local divisions. “It’s really hard for anybody local to afford to run the old style of the Redbud. So it’s kind of nice to almost pay back the local guys, just giving them a shot at something, a prestigious event.”
The challenge will be unlike anything Poore has faced at Anderson Speedway before. While he will have a break between the two races, he’ll still be preparing for a long, physically demanding day behind the wheel of two of the hottest cars in the field.
Poore is already focused on staying hydrated and getting as much rest as possible leading into race day.
“Hopefully we make all 400,” Poore said. “That’s the plan.”
The 400-lap challenge comes just months after Poore made his first start in the prestigious Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by ED Martin Automotive Group. While the experience of running an open-wheel sprint car was physically demanding, Poore believes the heat inside the full-bodied Late Model and Street Stock machines could make the Redbud even more challenging.
“I think, in a way, the Little 500, as far as the physical part, would be easier just because of the heat,” Poore explained. “There ain’t no air getting through the Late Models or the Street Stocks, and it’s so hot in them. In the sprint car, we had air flowing.”
The preparation is even more difficult with Poore balancing the demands of two race cars.
“Just trying to keep the stamina, trying to get good rest, but it’s hard to get good rest because you’re preparing both cars,” he said. “It’s a lot.”
Poore isn’t entering the Redbud 400 simply to make laps. With $5,000 on the line in each division, his goal is clear.
“I want to win both, and I’m going to give my all in both,” Poore said. “But the Street Stock does pay me better.”
Poore has already experienced success in both divisions, but the Redbud presents an opportunity to settle some unfinished business. In the Street Stock, Poore feels his team has had opportunities slip away in recent 150-lap events, including races where mechanical issues struck while he was leading.
“I felt like we gave a few races away in the Street Stock, with new-car blues,” Poore said. “I kind of want to redeem myself on that, and this would be a good way to do it.”
In the Late Model, Poore has also proven he can get the job done, including a victory in the Tanner Ballard Classic last September at Anderson Speedway.
“It was cool to win Tanner Ballard’s Classic,” Poore said. “But it would be really cool to run a Redbud for him.”
The significance of the Redbud 400 isn’t lost on Poore, either.
The 60th running of the event puts the local drivers in the spotlight alongside some of the biggest names in stock car racing history. The Redbud 400 has been won by NASCAR stars and legendary drivers, and Poore understands what it would mean to add his name to that list.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize how big of a spotlight’s on us,” Poore said. “All the NASCAR guys had won this race. You kind of have a chance to add your name with them, and that will never be taken away.”
For a driver with 52 Street Stock wins at Anderson Speedway, the opportunity to win the Redbud 400 in front of his hometown fans would be a defining accomplishment. Poore believes the new format could produce one of the best Redbud 400 events in recent memory.
“I think the two divisions are going to put on a better show than the Redbud’s have in the last few years,” he said. “Hopefully all the competitors put on a good show for everybody.”
But when the checkered flag falls after 400 laps of racing, Poore won’t be measuring success by simply finishing the grueling doubleheader.
“We don’t show up to finish second,” Poore said. “As long as we win one of them, it would be a successful night.”
The 60th Annual CB Fabricating Redbud 400 takes place Saturday, July 25, at Anderson Speedway, featuring 400 laps of racing between Vern’s Concrete Late Models and Vore’s Welding & Steel Street Stocks. On Saturday Pit Gates Open at 10:00am, Practice from 2:30pm – 4:00pm, Front Gates Opening at 4:00pm, Qualifying at 4:15pm, Racing beginning at 7:30pm. Adult Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 day of the race. Kids Ages (6-12) $10, Ages 10 and under are free. An open practice will take place for both divisions on Friday, July 24 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. The event will also be streamed live on Racing America. For more information on the CB Fabricating Redbud 400, visit us at andersonspeedway.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
