Illiana Speedway Bringing ASA Excitement
to the Windy City
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 2, 2008) – Although it might seem odd that a racetrack
located in Indiana could be a draw in Chicago, but that is exactly
what Illiana Speedway has been doing for 61 years. In fact, the
Schererville, Ind., short track draws fans and competitors from
all across the upper Midwest area.
“We have people that come to the
races from the lakefront all the way through Indianapolis and
Illinois. In fact, we even have some people from Michigan,”
confirmed Mike Mikuly, owner/promoter of the racetrack for the
past decade. “We really draw from all over, but a lot do
come from the Chicago area.”
As Illiana Speedway prepares for their
“second” opening night this Saturday (the first was
postponed by weather), fans will notice several improvements
to the facility this season, including an updated Midway and
aluminum seating.
“We finally got rid of all those
old wooden bleachers and replaced them with aluminum grandstands.
I’m sure that the fans are going to welcome these since
they now can sit without worrying about getting splinters,”
Mikuly joked. He added that the track now has seats for 7,000
fans.
“The new grandstands are also ADA-friendly
so our fans in wheelchairs can have access at the start/finish
line. Before, they had to go and sit all the way down into the
turn where the ramp was and that certainly wasn’t the best
way to accommodate these patrons. They should certainly be able
to enjoy the racing action better with the great sightlines on
the front stretch.”
Illiana Speedway is really two tracks
in one; a half-mile paved oval encompasses a smaller quarter-mile
and Figure 8 circuit. Fans coming into the Saturday night events
will see action on both as the five weekly divisions battle for
the championship.
The half-mile will feature the Super
Late Models and the Schepel Performance Limited Late Models,
which use a number of spec components and crate engines in an
effort to remain an economical Late Model alternative. On the
quarter-mile oval, the action will be in the Turbo Stox, Pure
Stock, and Legend and Bandoleros which are new to Illiana Speedway
in 2008.
“We decided to make a change and
drop the Mid American class this year as the car count had really
dwindled and bring in the Legend cars and the Bandoleros. This
was really done so that we could have a path for the kids in
the area to get into racing. Once they get involved in the sport,
then they become just as excited about it as we are. And, of
course, it is so critical that we continue to breed some drivers
and we think that the Legends and Bandoleros are going to be
a great way for the next generation to begin their racing career,”
explained Mikuly.
The season begins this Saturday and
runs through October 25. The HOSS Winged Sprints will make a
visit on Saturday, August 2 and a pair of special “Crash
Fest” events featuring Figure 8 School Bus and trailer races
are planned for July 26 and September 27. Complete details on
all the races can be found online at www.IllianaSpeedway.com.
Also new for 2008 is the Level II membership
in the American Speed Association Member Track program. Mikuly
said that he expects that his racetrack and the competitors will
see a number of benefits from the partnership.
“I guess that part of the reason
we joined the ASA Member Track program was simply a matter of
moving up with the times. But the ASA really has a lot to offer.
The ASA name is really getting back out there like it used to
be, and Dennis (Huth) is doing a great job of taking the ASA
forward. People are hearing more about it and it’s making
them curious. They want to find out what it is all about,”
Mikuly said.
“The insurance package that comes
with the ASA Member Track program is a real plus too. It will
really help those guys in the pits - not that we ever hope that
anyone will need it though.”
ASA members in good standing are eligible
for a $500,000 Excess Medical Benefit as well as a $20,000 Accidental
Death and Dismemberment Benefit. Coverage for the member begins
while traveling to a location promoting an ASA-sanctioned event
and continues until arrival home again. The American Speed Association
is the only sanctioning body to offer insurance coverage which
extends beyond the boundary of the racetrack itself (complete
details are available online at www.ASA-Racing.com).
“Mike and I have been talking for
quite a long time about the ASA Member Track program and I’m
thrilled that he is bringing Illiana Speedway into the family,”
said Dennis Huth, president of Racing Speed Associates which
owns the American Speed Association. “After six decades
Illiana Speedway is still bringing in crowds and the fact that
they can draw from Chicago to Indianapolis is simply amazing.
That goes to show the quality of the racing program and the way
that Mike treats the competitors. I’m looking forward to
visiting Illiana Speedway this weekend for opening night and
personally welcoming the fans and competitors into the American
Speed Association.”
To learn more of the Daytona Beach,
Fla.-based ASA Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221
or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information
from all the racetracks and regional tours involved in the ASA,
visit www.ASA-Racing.com.
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