Ken Ten makes inaugural Salem stop......

Rob Spires-Ken-Ten PR Director
On June 19, the Ken Ten Pro Late Model Series will hit the historic high banks of Salem Speedway in Salem, Ind., for the inaugural running of the Touchstone Energy Hoosier Hills 100.

“We’re really excited to be bringing the Ken Ten series to Salem,” said Craig Thompson, competition director for Ken Ten. “Richard (Deaton, Salem Speedway General Manager) called me about a race last season, but we already had our schedule made. We were sure to work out a date that was good for both of us this season,” said Thompson.

“Salem is such an historic track; it really adds prestige for Ken Ten to be able to visit (the track), and I’m sure it will be an exciting race for the fans,” said Thompson. “They stopped running late models at Salem several years ago, so this is going to be a great opportunity for fans to see late models run there again. We expect a lot of guys that used to be regulars at Salem to show up,” he added.

Familiar faces, new faces

Defending Ken Ten series champion Sammy Sanders, from Bowling Green, is scheduled to compete at Salem, as well as 2010 Corbin Speedway winner, and current point leader, Roger Parker, from London, Ky.

In addition, Will Kimmel of Sellersburg, Ind., Tony Conway of Louisville and Martin Belcher of Brooks, Ky., are all scheduled to compete. Kimmel, son of ARCA veteran crew chief Bill Kimmel, was the 2007 late model track champion at Salem Speedway.

Also scheduled to compete at Salem are Tennessee drivers Josh Weston from Mt. Juliet and Mason Mingus, from Brentwood.

Coble takes Beech Bend

Regular Ken Ten competitor Davey Coble of Madison, Tenn., took the victory in Friday night’s Best Western late model feature race at Beech Bend Speedway in Bowling Green. Coble was the AR Bodies fast qualifier when Ken Ten visited Corbin Speedway two weeks ago.

New Contingency Sponsor

The Ken Ten Pro Late Model Series is proud to welcome Dale Baum and Baum’s S&S Racing Supply to the series’ 2010 contingency program. Baum’s S&S will be offering $100 to any competitor that wins using tires purchased from Baum’s S&S.

POSTED 12-18-09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Richard Deaton

(812) 883-6504

MAJOR CHANGES IN STORE FOR HISTORIC SALEM SPEEDWAY

OVAL INCLUDING ADDITION OF NEW INFIELD SHORT-TRACK

SALEM, IN, December 18 – Salem Speedway owner, Owen Thompson, announced today that phase one of a major transformation project planned for the historic southern Indiana oval is slated to begin within the next few weeks.

“We are certainly excited to announce the start of a long awaited facility renovation,” said Thompson. “The changes about to take place will unfold over the next three years and greatly enhance the motorsports possibilities for Salem Speedway.”

Phase one of the project will focus on the addition of a 3/8-mile asphalt oval in the infield of the existing .555-mile track.

“The new short-track will be configured for both oval and figure-8 racing,” said Thompson. “It will have many, many functions built into it, including connecting roads to the existing oval to facilitate road racing type events.”

No completion date has been announced for the 3/8-mile track, but a full season of racing is in the planning stages for the 2010 season.

“Weather conditions during the winter and spring months will dictate the construction schedule and completion of the project,” said Thompson. “Everything is in place to move full steam ahead with the undertaking.”

“The new short-track opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for racing at Salem Speedway,” said track general manager Richard Deaton. “It will be suited for everything from figure-8 cars to pure stocks, to Legends Cars and go-carts.”

According to Thompson, entry level racing divisions will play a prominent roll in the development of the new oval.

“We want to provide an opportunity for young and inexperienced drivers to gain pavement experience in an affordable class of cars,” said the track owner.

Deaton points out that longtime fans of the high banks need not worry about the half-mile track playing a lesser roll in the overall picture of the planned motorplex.

“The historic high banks have stood the test of time and will continue to be the centerpiece of racing at Salem ,” said Deaton.

The 3/8-mile track is just phase one of Thompson’s overall plan for the track that first opened in June of 1947. Each year over the next three years the Speedway plans to add a new facet with the culmination being the opening of a drag strip at the current Salem Municipal Airport , which adjoins the Speedway property.

Phase two of the project, scheduled for 2011, includes improvements to the existing .555-mile oval and construction of a .44-mile dirt track.

Thompson and his wife, Beverly, who purchased the track in the summer of 1995, have overseen many facility improvements during their 15 years of ownership. Major renovation projects included the construction of a 9600 sq. ft., three story structure that houses concessions, gift shop, offices, press facilities and hospitality suite.

Other improvements the Thompson’s have made include replacing the metal guardrail that once encompassed the track with a concrete retaining wall, a grandstand expansion, a widening of pit road, installation of new light towers, pavement of all roads in the spectator parking area, construction of a 2,000 square foot open air pavilion for hospitality and making the grandstands handicapped accessible with the addition of a spectator ramp, as well as other smaller projects.

The 2010 Salem Speedway season is set to open on Sunday, April 11, when the ARCA Series, presented by RE/MAX and Menards returns to the high banks for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200.

The full 2010 Salem Speedway schedule will be released in early January.

POSTED 12-18-09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Richard Deaton

(812) 883-6504

2010 JOE JAMES/PAT O’CONNOR MEMORIAL TO

FEATURE TWO DIFFERENT SPRINT CAR SERIES

SALEM , IN , Dec. 15 – The Salem Speedway “Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial” will feature an exciting new twist in 2010 reports track management. The USAC National Sprint Car Series, a mainstay of the event for over 45 years, will be joined by the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series for the 51st edition of the storied classic.

This marks the first time in the history of the event that two different sprint car series appear together on the racing program. In recent years, midgets or local stock car divisions have joined the USAC sprints for the annual race.

“We’re certainly excited to have these two great sprint car series appear on the same program,” said Salem Speedway general manager Richard Deaton. “This historic night on the high banks will provide fans an excellent opportunity to see the best-of-the-best in open wheel short-track racing.

“The breathtaking action of USAC sprints, combined with the raw speed and excitement of the Must See Racing Xtreme winged sprint cars, will undoubtedly deliver a memorable night of racing,” said Deaton.

The overall Salem Speedway track record of 14.377-seconds was posted by Kevin Feeney during time trials for a 2006 winged sprint car race on the high banks.

The honor roll of past James/O’Connor victors reads like a “who’s-who” in open wheel racing history with such names as A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Bob Sweikert, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Pancho Carter, Rich Vogler, Kenny Irwin Jr. and Tony Stewart gracing the list of former winners.

Originating in 1953 as the Joe James Memorial, in remembrance of the popular California driver who lost his life in a racing accident, the event was renamed the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial in 1958 following the death of O’Connor in that year’s Indianapolis 500.

The 2010 sprint classic, set for Saturday night, August 14th, will be topped off with a 30-lap feature for the MSR Xtreme Sprint Series and the 50-lap James/O’Connor Memorial for the USAC sprints.

POSTED 3-18-09 ARCA RE/MAX SERIES NEWS

ARCA RE/MAX Series Proud Salem Tradition Since 1955; 85th Running ComingVeterans Schrader, Kimmel Go Up Against Onslaught of Rookies SALEM IN (3-18-09) - With Daytona in the books, the ARCA RE/MAX Series is again gearing up to go. Next stop - Salem Speedway for the 85th running of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 presented by Federated Car Care Sunday afternoon, April 5. The annual event is spread out over the weekend with practice and Menards Pole Award Qualifying scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The race is slated to go at 2:15 pm local time Sunday afternoon. Entrants already include NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran Ken Schrader, nine-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel and a host of powerful rookies hoping to make their own mark on the historic half-mile, high-banked oval. Although Schrader has 15 career ARCA RE/MAX Series victories over the years, only one of his wins came at Salem, and that was 10 years ago. "Anyone who thinks they can just drop in on an ARCA race and clean up, had better re-think that one," said Schrader. "It's flat tough to win over there, especially at Salem. "There was a time when you could pick your way through an ARCA field, but not anymore. It's hard enough to stay on the lead lap at Salem, let alone win there. But we'll give it our best. We love the track, and we love the series. The competition is more intense than many people realize." Kimmel, who hails from nearby Clarksville, Indiana, is the all-time winner at Salem with nine victories. The all-time Salem lap leader also snapped a four-year winless streak at his hometown track with a victory in the ARCA Fall Classic at Salem in 2008. Kimmel will also come with his new title sponsor - Ansell-Menards. Eddie Sharp Racing, which most recently fielded cars for Scott Speed in ARCA RE/MAX Series competition, has filed four entries for Salem, three of which include rookie drivers. Those rookies are New York, New York's Tim George, Jr., Fort Frances, Ontario's Steve Arpin and Greenville, North Carolina's Craig Goess. ESR has also entered Justin Lofton, last year's winner at Michigan Int'l Speedway. Other rookies entered include Miami Springs, Florida's Joey Coulter and Humble, Texas's Stephan McCurley. Other veterans entered include local favorite Darrell Basham, Owensboro, Kentucky's Brett Hudson, Indiantown, Florida's Patrick Sheltra, Dallas, Texas's Ken Weaver and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's Norm Benning. Outside of some occasional downtime when the track changed ownership, the series has been a staple at Salem since 1955. In fact, no track has appeared more on the ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule over the years than Salem. Past RE/MAX Series winners at Salem include NASCAR Cup champion Bobby Allison, six-time ARCA national champ Iggy Katona, three-time series champs Jack Bowsher and Tim Steele, '52 Indy 500 winner Troy Ruttman and USAC stock car veteran/champion Don White. 27 RE/MAX Series races have been won from the pole at Salem. Camping, on a first-come, first-serve basis, is free. For ticket information, call toll free 1-888-2-GO-RACE or 1 (888) 246-7223.