50th Tony Bettenhausen Classic This Sat. Illiana Motor Speedway

By: Tom White

Schererville, IN (September 8, 2011) – The Illiana Motor Speedway an American Speed Association Member track will host the 50th anniversary Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 presented by Schepel GMC Commercial Trucks of Merrillville, IN. on Saturday night, September 10th. The Midwest racing tradition now a half-century-old, will feature the high speed Super Late Models doing battle in a 100 lap main event along with Round 3 of the Street Stock Chi-Town Spectacular in a 35 lap feature.

In honor of the 50th, consecutively run event all of the living former winners have been invited to attend this historic occasion including a meet and greet for the fans. The race will carry a purse of more than $30,000 plus lap prize money; another tradition started back in 1972. The Bettenhausen Memorial “100” honors the legendary Tony Bettenhausen. The Tinley Park, IL native made 14 starts in the Indianapolis 500 with 5 top-ten finishes. Sadly, Bettenhausen’s life ended during a practice crash at the famed Speedway in May 1961 while testing a car.

Entries to Date: Mark Sontag Jr. Brett Sontag, Erik Darnell, Josh Wallace, Matt Kocourek, Jeff Cannon, Blake Brown, Brandon Hill, Gary Lamonte, DJ Weltmeyer, Jack Kalwasinski, Michael Martin Jr. Anthony Danta, Mike White, John Nutley, and Many More!

Tony Bettenhausen Schedule of events
The gates open Saturday at 4:00 p.m., with time trials set for 5:30 p.m. and the first race getting the green flag at 7:05 p.m. Super Late Models 100 Lap Main Event, Chi-Town Showdown Street Stock Spectacular Round #3 35 Lap Feature will highlight the program
Optional Practice Fri Nite Sept 9th 3pm – 8pm
Adults -$18 Children 8-12-$5 (7 & under Free) Pits $30 Free Parking
For more information, call the speedway at (219) 322-5311 or go to
www.illianaspeedway.com. www.schepeltruck.com.

For more information, call the speedway at (219) 322-5311 or go to www.illianaspeedway.com.

The track is located at 7211 Lincoln Hwy on U.S. Highway 30, about 2 miles east of U.S. Highway 41 or five miles west of Interstate 65.