NEWS & GALLERY UPDATED 7-4-2009      NEXT UP- 50th JOE JAMES/PAT O’CONNOR MEMORIAL USAC CLASSIC

SALEM, IN, August 10 – The 50th running of one of the most historic sprint car races in the nation is set to take place at Salem Speedway on Saturday night, as the USAC National Sprint Car Series visits the super-fast oval for the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial.

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.

The 2009 edition of the classic brings together USAC’s finest open wheel drivers as they attempt to add their name to the list of racing greats who have won the prestigious event. Winning one Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial is a significant accomplishment, capturing a second classic is a distinction bestowed on just 10 drivers. Originating in 1953 as the Joe James Memorial, in remembrance of the popular California driver, who lost his life in a racing accident the previous year, 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. James, whose only feature win on the Salem high banks came on October 14, 1951, captured the 1952 AAA Midwest sprint championship.  He competed in two Indianapolis 500’s, finishing 33rd in 1951 and 13th the following year.

O’Connor, from nearby North Vernon, Ind., won the 1952 and ’54 Midwest sprint titles with AAA and the 1956 USAC sprint championship.  He was a five-time winner on the Salem oval, including victories in the 1954 and 1957 James Memorial races.  O’Connor started five consecutive Indianapolis 500’s beginning in 1954 and sat on the pole in 1957.

Topping the list of drivers expected for the golden anniversary race are three former James/O’Connor winners – Jacob Wilson (2008), Tracy Hines (2001) and Dave Darland (1999).

Levi Jones, Brad Kuhn, Marc Jessup, Jerry Coons Jr., Brad Sweet, Darren Hagen, Cole Whitt, Damion Gardner, Chad Boat and others are also expected to be on hand for the biggest open wheel race of the season at Salem.

In celebration of the historic milestone the first 400 paid adults through the gate on Saturday will receive a free 50th Anniversary commemorative decal, compliments of the Midwest Oldtimers Vintage Race Car Club. The popular vintage racecar group has lined-up an outstanding selection of racecars, including Indy roadsters, sprints, midgets and stock cars, for display during the James/O’Connor event.

Spectator gates are slated to open at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, with hot laps 4 p.m., qualifications at 5:30 p.m. and the first race at 7 p.m. (EDT).

Advance tickets, both reserved and general admission, are currently selling for the Joe James/Pat O’Connor and may be purchased by calling 812-883-6504 or toll free 1-888-2Go-Race (1-888-246-7223).

 Winchester & Toledo Speedways- Winchester, Indiana 7/2/09 Thursday

                 Looking forward to hitting the high-banks after a sluggish start to the ‘09 season, the team and I had a renewed hunger searching for our first win. The normal USAC format with the 40 lap Rich Vogler Classic title at stake had the crew on top of their game. Through the first round of practice the 07 was in the top 5 fastest times. We scuffed tires the second round in preparation for a good qualifying run. Two solid laps with one bobble in the middle of turn 2 landed us 8^th on the starting for the main. I also won the heat race which we used as another practice session. Feature time came around and I was ready. The green flag dropped and so did my right foot as the car shot to the top side of turn one picking up one position in the opening corner. Fighting relentlessly with Bobby East, Brian Gerster, and Tracy Hines, we battled up into the 5^th position when a caution came out on lap #27. The car had been getting loose before the caution so I was prepared to get a good jump on the restart. I shot to the high side of Bobby in turn 1 but the good run was negated when Levi Jones slid up the track in turn 2. I dropped back in line and followed East around Jones and cruised there after abusing the tires on the move. Running fourth on the last lap, a lapped car slid up the track in front of me costing the team 4^th to Darren Hagen. All in all it was a good run for the team and a right way to get back on track heading to Toledo Friday night.

 Toledo, Ohio 7/3/09 Friday

                 A fresh start on a new track after a good run at Winchester seemed to be just what the WBR Team 6R entry needed. Running quick times in practice the team felt good about qualifying for the 50 lap race on the slick ½ mile. As the cars came to a stop time trials put the 07 6^th quick, which with the standard USAC 6 car invert put us on the pole for the feature. We started fourth in our heat and ran third but the car wanted to run to the front. Feature time rolled around and tension mounted as the cars got the one lap ‘til green signal. Coming of turn 4 I was able to get a decent jump but drove the car deep into turn one to secure the lead. A pretty uneventful first half of the race was interrupted by a caution around halfway. I knew this would stack the field right on my bumper for the restart and got an ok start maintaining the lead on for the moment. As lap 40 rolled around I was receiving increased pressure from Bobby East and needed to keep my cool. The yellow flag flew again on lap 41 and I knew this would bring him even closer. As our car was beginning to fade I needed to get a good jump on the restart. The car leaped to life off of turn 4 giving us a 2-3 car length buffer. This was quickly erased as East began closing in again and on lap 45 shot below me off of turn 2 completing the pass entering turn three I fell to second and paced there until the checkered. A podium finish topped of a couple good runs and a good start to and Independence Day weekend.

Anderson Speedway LITTLE 500- After a nice qualifying run in the middle of row 2 we were set for the 500 laps. 

Winchester Speedway- Team WBR is set to test the sprint car at Winchester Speedway in preparation for the upcoming race there. Wilson and the team tested last week at Anderson Speedway and were very pleased with the results. Jacob was a bit rusty on the first time out but shook the dust off and was in good form pushing the car to its limits in the later 3 sessions. Unfortunately the Rich Vogler Classic was postponed  by rain to July 2nd.

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