A total of 66 USAC National events have been finalized for 2008, comprising the preliminary Lucas Oil National Sprint Car and Mopar National Midget Series championships. Thirty-five tracks in 14 states are involved. The National Midget Series debuts Feb. 15-16 with the "Copper on Dirt" at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Ariz., while the Lucas Oil Sprints kick off the 2008 season April 5 at Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. The Sprint cars conclude the 2008 campaign with the "Western World Championships" at Phoenix, while the Midget finale is again the "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Irwindale, Calif.
Tracks returning to the schedule in 2008 are Williams Grove (Pa.) Speedway and Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. (Sprints), and Slinger (Wisc.) Speedway, Rockford (Ill.) Speedway, Union County Speedway in Liberty, Ind. and Joliet (Midgets). Tracks hosting their initial National events will be Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway and Shady Bowl Speedway in DeGraff, Ohio (Sprints); and Southern National Raceway Park in Kenly, N.C. and LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in New Salem, Wisc. (Midgets). Shady Bowl has previously hosted the Midgets and LaCrosse has previously hosted USAC Stock Cars.
Traditional events highlight the calendar once again, including Indiana Sprint Week, the Tony Hulman Classic, Rich Vogler Classic, Joe James/Pat O'Connor Classic, Glen Niebel Classic, Border Wars, Four-Crown Nationals, Perris Oval Nationals and Western World Championships for the Sprints; and the Night Before the 500, Belleville Midget Nationals, Knoxville Midget Nationals, Copper on Dirt, Hut Hundred, Four-Crown Nationals, Turkey Night Grand Prix, Hall of Fame Classic, Sue Thiel Memorial, Toyota Challenge and Indiana Midget Week for the Midgets.
Expansion of the Eastern Sprint Car Swing now reflects four dates, while Indiana Midget Week has been expanded to six races. Indiana Sprint Week remains at eight events for 2008.
Several dates are listed at "TBA" or To Be Announced, waiting for final details to be released. These schedules are subject to changes, additions and deletions. Please refer to the USAC website, http://www.usacracing.com/, for updates to these schedules.
Chad prepares for practice at Manzanita
