O’Reilly Gears Up For Fantastic New Season

The O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis has got fans excited after releasing the details of the 2009 racing schedule earlier this week. The park will see favorites such as NHRA, NASCAR and Super Chevy returning to the track. It will also see a few new events such as the Pinks All Out.

Speaking about the new Pinks All Out race, Ron Anderson, O’Reilly Raceway Park’s general manager, said that they were excited to welcome the crew as “they bring an exciting and energetic event to our world famous drag strip.” He added: “The entire staff also looks forward to all of our weekly programs, premier events such as Kroger SpeedFest, Mac Tools US Nationals and all the events that have made O’Reilly Raceway Park one of the busiest racing venues in the nation.”

So exactly what are some of the great events you can expect to enjoy at this brilliant location during the course of the next racing season? The NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional race will be taking place in April, while the 55th installment of the annual Mac Tools US Nationals will be returning to the track on Labor Day weekend. The Goodguys Hot Rod Nationals, the Indy Import Truck Bash, the Diesel Hot Rod Nationals and the Super Chevy Show will also be making their way to the O’Reilly Raceway Park later this year.

Of course the year wouldn’t be quite the same without the weekly drag races that take place at the O’Reilly Raceway and so the O’Reilly Tuesday Night Street Legal Series will be returning to the track for the duration of 2009. Both racers and spectators can expect to enjoy some great discounts if they are regulars at this event. The VP Fuels E.T. Bracket Racing Series will be hitting the track in summer, along with the test and tunes that go with it.

NASCAR will be featured on the track for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. They will be in good company with the USAC series and the Advance Racing Association and the Advance Racing Association Late models which will both be returning to the track during the course of the year. Clearly 2009 will feature plenty of top-notch racing at the O’Reilly Raceway Park. Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action!

Indy 500 Results – Victory for Dixon

The Indy 500 is one of the most prestigious races in North America and each year it receives plenty of media attention. This year was certainly no different and the race proved to be full of action and excitement every step of the way.

As the cars lined up on the starting grid early Sunday morning no-one would be able to guess the final result of this career-defining race. No one presumed that New Zealander Scott Dixon would manage to climb his way to the front of the pack during the course of the race, eventually shooting into the lead and claiming first place by the end of the race. The driving was spectacular and a number of collisions along the way had pit crews running for their lives. The 92nd annual Indianapolis 500 was every bit as magnificent as it could have been expected to be and the thousands of fans that streamed through the gates of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway could not have been disappointed.

When the race started a lot of heads were turned to Dan Wheldon – one of the top contenders for the checkered flag. Unfortunately Wheldon developed engine problems during the course of the race and he only finished at 19th place. Another top contender was Tom Scheckter. Despite the fact that he was among the top five for much of the race, his fortunes ended when he had to leave his car because of a broken gear shaft. Ed Carpenter also appeared to be blazing around the racetrack in top form, leading the front of the field for quite a long time because he did not pit. However on lap 159 Dixon overtook Carpenter and Vitor Meira, claiming second place for himself and putting himself in the running to win the race.

Accidents were plentiful and it seemed that the yellow flag was everywhere. Alex Lloyd from England hit the outside of the fourth turn wall, causing him to veer into the pit lane backwards and scattering pit lane officials. However this rookie received much less attention than Danica Patrick did. Patrick was hit in the pits by Ryan Briscoe and the accident destroyed her left rear suspension. With only 29 laps to go and having run in the top ten up until that point, Patrick was furious. This was the first occasion in her four trips to Indianapolis that she failed to finish in the top ten. She eventually became the 22nd person to cross the finish line.

Scott Dixon’s ultimate break came when he beat Meira out of the pits on the last fuel stop. He then managed to stay in front for the final 29 laps. This is Dixon’s first Indy 500 victory, although he did finish in second place in the race last year. The New Zealander said that he was focusing on fuel conservation for most of the race. Dixon is now the 19th driver to win the race from pole position and his win has put him in the line to receive massive money and corporate sponsorships. His chief competitor, Vitor Meira, eventually finished second while Marco Andretti was third.

30th Annual Memorabilia Show This Weekend

What began as essentially a “swap meet” among a relatively small group of racing collectible enthusiasts has now reached its 30th Anniversary. The National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show has experienced a colorful and successful evolution and is now solidly associated as one of the unique events tied to the running of the Indianapolis 500.

In 1979, the first gathering of Indy 500 memorabilia collectors took place at the old Howard Johnson’s Motel on Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis. After a few years at the HoJo, the event moved into the newly constructed Indianapolis Convention Center. In 2005 the annual show moved to the Indiana State Fairgrounds where it is currently held.

The event is now the second-oldest continually operated sports memorabilia show in the country. Each year thousands of auto racing aficionados converge on the site of the Show to buy, sell and trade items that would be difficult, or impossible, to find anywhere else in town, on that weekend. The dealers come from literally all corners of the U.S. and some foreign countries. The fans come from an even more diverse list of home towns. If you are looking for unique souvenirs, sought-after items for the well-established collection, or one-of-a-kind artifacts, the NARM Show presents your best possibilities for success. You can find crew-used uniforms, driver autographs, programs back to the 20s, pieces of car bodywork, photos, artwork, advertising pieces and so much more.

Some details for 2008 are:

Friday, May 23 1:00 PM- 7:30 PM
30th Annual National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show at the State Fairgrounds.
In the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion.
Includes personal appearances by: Jerry Grant and long-time 500 veteran drivers Gary Bettenhausen and Mel Kenyon.
Advice from Chris Economaki: “If you are coming to Indy for the Race, you don’t want to miss this!”
NARM Show has been labeled for years by Andy Granatelli as, “The best-kept secret of the 500 Weekend.”
Adult Friday admission is $10 for the general public.

Saturday, May 24 9:30 AM- 4:30 PM.
30th Annual National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show at the State Fairgrounds.
In the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion.
Includes personal appearances by 1960 Indy 500 winner Jim Rathmann, Midget and Indy car star Mel Kenyon, Indy veterans Jerry Sneva and Bob Harkey, and possibly Mr. 500: Andy Granatelli.
Speed Channel’s Robin Miller says, “This show is terrific. I never, ever, miss it.”
Adult Saturday admission is $7 to the general public. Admission for Young Persons, ages 7-14, is $3 each day.

www.NARMShow.com
Additional information: John Douglas (765) 482-3477