Over the past 75 years, 44 drivers have been crowned as Little 500 Champions. Nineteen of those champions went on to win the event multiple times. This year, for the 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW, four of the aforementioned 44 drivers will once again enter their names into the prestigious event. Jeff Bloom, Kody Swanson, and Tyler Roahrig are all multi-time Little 500 champions and Bobby Santos III looks to add his name to that list after a lone victory in 2020.
With only four former winners entered into this year’s field, the likelihood of fans seeing a first-time winner is higher than in year’s past. Drivers like Dakoda Armstrong and his cousin Caleb have been knocking on the door in recent years. With Caleb Armstrong qualifying on pole position in 2016 and 2017, he has consistently had fast race cars on Anderson’s ¼ mile oval. Dakoda Armstrong finished in second place in the 2022 Little 500 and had multiple top three finishes in the Inaugural Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Part Store 500 Sprint Car Tour season last year.
Other drivers that have gained momentum coming into the week of Little 500 are Kyle O’Gara and Billy Wease. O’Gara is the most recent non-wing pavement sprint car winner at Anderson and Wease has been gaining more and more speed and confidence every time he hits the track. Tanner Swanson, brother of Kody Swanson, will once again be a name for fans to keep an eye on after he led 106 laps in the 2022 Little 500. Swanson also visited victory lane at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park last season driving for Sam and Aaron Pierce.
Each of the four former winners in this year’s field will have the opportunity to further cement their names in history and join elite clubs within the winner’s circle. Should Jeff Bloom or Kody Swanson go to victory lane once again, they will join Tom Cherry for third place with four victories. If Tyler Roahrig wins for a third consecutive year, he will not only join the three-time winners club but will also be only the third driver in Little 500 history to win three in a row. Bobby Santos III victory in 2020 was special for many reasons as it was his first Little 500 victory, and it came during a period in history that many will refer to as “difficult”. Now, a second victory for Santos would be equally as special as he would become the 20th multi-time winner of the Little 500 Sprint Car Classic.
The 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW is set to be run on Saturday, May 27th at 8:00pm. Practice for teams begins on Wednesday, May 24 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. CB Fabricating Pole Day is scheduled for Thursday, May 25 from 11:30am – 3:30pm. Final practice and Bump Day is set for Friday, May 26 from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Grandstand admission is free for fans Wednesday through Friday and race day tickets are reserved seating only and are $45 each. Tickets for the 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (765) 642-0206 ex. 121 or by stopping by the ticket office. Fans can also stream the event live via MAVTV on Flo Racing by clicking here to subscribe or stream.
Jack Kessler Photo
