Kentucky's Art Groulx Wins Indy Speedrome
Stock 70-lap Figure 8
Indianapolis, IN (October 8, 2011)
- The World’s Home of the Figure 8® had a tribute
event to help continue the celebration of 70-years of racing
on Saturday night October 8th. The Bryant Heating and Cooling
Indianapolis Speedrome® held a 70-lap Figure 8 that evening
for the Peters Auto Service Stock division. This class is one
that most closely resembles the traditional brand of racing
that the historic short track is famous for. There were several
classic duels between Indiana aces and plenty of tight crossover
competition while one racer from the state of Kentucky scored
the biggest victory of his career.
The program launched with qualifications on the fifth-mile
Figure 8 course. 2006 Stock champion Larry Hahn torched the
time chart with a stellar lap of 18.780 seconds. His clocking
was nearly five-tenths over the second quickest qualifier.
Reigning Speedrome champion Speedy Teepe won the trophy dash
over inaugural Roadrunner and Bomber Figure 8 champion “Slick” Rick
Howard, Hahn, and “Dangerous” Danny Turner. Larry
then drew for the feature lineup inversion. The “Sharp
Dressed Man” picked a very tough 14-car flip out of the
possible choices.
The race goes green with 2011 Peters Auto Service Stock rookie-of-the-year
Kevin Smith taking the lead after a tooth-and-nail opening
lap with veteran Donnie Sloan. Figure 8 specialist Mike Burgess
powered to first place on lap 3. That advantage did not last
long as Smith spun the leader before the next time across the
scoring line. The red flag would fly for the first time just
another circuit later for the stalled machine of Turner. Joining
Smith and Sloan at the front of the pack in this very early
stage was the trio who battled all year long for the series
supremacy Teepe, Hahn, and Nigel Peters.
Teepe would go to the top spot on orbit #8 with Hahn in tow.
This pair has carried on a classic short track racing rivalry
for the past decade on the Indianapolis eastside. They diced
for every inch of track the next 5 laps before contact send
Speedy for a loop and Larry to first. That lasted for 3 circuits
before the red flag waved. Issues with each would send them
both pit side during the stoppage. Burgess was the new leader
and returning Figure 8 ace Rob Collins was alongside for the
restart. Mike would establish the advantage with Kentucky’s
Art Groulx now as the challenger. The consistent World Figure
8® SuperStock contender was making his first career start
in Speedrome Stock competition. He took the lead from Burgess
on lap 21 and stormed away.
At the halfway mark, the leader board was occupied by Groulx,
Howard, Collins, Burgess, and Smith. “Slick” Rick
was on the move in his first time behind the wheel of the Kevin
Williams/Luttrell Racing #62 machine. With 25 laps to go, Howard
was within arm’s reach of the leader when an unforced
spin dropped him to a half circuit behind and into the third
position. Collins was now reeling in Art’s #8. That pair
was vying to put 5th place Bob Johnson a lap down giving Rob
several opportunities to pass. They got past and battled hard,
but very clean all the way to the checkered flag with Groulx
earning the victory.
In the winner’s circle the happy victor said, “On
the 2 hour trip up here I told my wife how cool it would be
to get a win at the Speedrome someday. I didn’t know
it would be tonight”. He then talked about the track
and its competitors. “The Speedrome drivers are very
tough and race clean. I love this place and I will be coming
back until the day it closes”. 2-time Fall Festival champion
Collins was runner-up in his first 2011 start. The top five
was rounded out by Howard, Burgess, and Johnson.
Join us at the Speedrome this weekend
October 15, 2011 – UAW Pack the House Night
Opening night of the 15th Annual Carmel Sod Fall Festival Series
Stocks, Roadrunners, Hornets, Hornet Figure 8’s, Legends,
Bandoleros, and Junior Faskarts
Races get underway at 7pm
Rain date is Sunday October 16th at 2pm
The Bryant Heating and Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome® is
located at 802 South Kitley Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana
46219 and proudly in the community and the historical district
of Irvington. To view more, log on to our web site http://www.speedrome.com/
or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn®. The track
hotline is (317) 353-8206 or you can e-mail us at info@speedrome.com.
click here to read more
The Bryant Heating and Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome® is
located at 802 South Kitley Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana
46219. To view more, log on to our record-breaking web site
www.speedrome.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. The
track hotline is (317) 353-8206 or you can e-mail us at info@speedrome.com.
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