Indianapolis, Indiana has long been recognized as the racing capital of the world. For sure, people from Daytona, LeMans and cities that host large racing events would want to argue that statement. But, let’s face it. The Indianapolis 500 is legendary, followed around the globe each Memorial Day weekend by millions of fans. The Brickyard 400 is one of the most coveted “wins” on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit. And, just west of Indy, in the tiny community of Clermont, Indiana, sits a racing facility that’s seen just about every famous open wheel, stock car and drag racer in history.
O’Reilly Raceway Park boasts a lightning fast 5/8 mile asphalt oval that’s seen open wheel heroes A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti race wheel to wheel. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart “grew up” racing at ORP (although it was then known as Indianapolis Raceway Park) before moving to NASCAR. And, for the past few years, the good folks at Kroger have grabbed the opportunity to put together three great nights of racing as part of the annual Kroger Speed Fest.
The action begins Thursday, July 22 with the J.D. Byrider Racing Classic. This event will feature a 30-lap feature for the USAC Midgets, as well as the J.D. Byrider 100, a 100-lap feature for the USAC Silver Crown cars. “We’re looking forward to another spectacular night of open-wheel racing,” said Jim England, president of the J.D. Byrider Advertising Group, Inc. “The top drivers in both USAC series will be here, plus we usually get some of the NASCAR guys out here. In the past we’ve seen Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards, Jason Leffler, Mike Bliss and a few more. I’m not sure who all is coming this year, but I’m sure defending champion Bobby East will be ready for the likes of Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson from the Tony Stewart Racing camp. We’ve got some great things happening with the Tony Stewart Foundation and the American Heart Association, so I hope lots of people will come out and enjoy the show.”
Friday night, the pace changes to feature the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, with drivers competing in the AAA Insurance 200 presented by J.D. Byrider. It’s one of the most exciting races on NCWTS circuit and several of the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will be participating.
Saturday night is the crown jewel of the Kroger Speed Fest, the NASCAR Nationwide Series Kroger 200. “This is short track stock car racing at it’s best,” said England. “It gets up close and personal out there. And, for true race fans, these three nights of racing at ORP offer spectacular, close-up views of four very different types of racing – midgets, sprints, trucks and stock cars. I just want to personally thank Kroger for continuing to bring this program to Central Indiana. And I’m proud that J.D. Byrider gets the chance to be part of it as well.”
For ticket information check out www.oreillyracewaypark.com/.
J.D. Byrider, who celebrates 21 years in the used car business this year, has been a sponsor of Tony Stewart Racing for 12 years. To learn more about Tony Stewart Racing, please visit: www.tonystewartracing.com.
J.D. Byrider provides good cars for people who need credit, visit our website at: www.jdbyrider.com.
This year J.D. Byrider teamed up with Cincinnati’s Hearing Speech & Deaf Center for their 8th annual Zoo Day. The event was held on June 26th, 2010 and was an overall tremendous success. All day visitors were treated to discount tickets, American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Exhibits, free lunch and camaraderie. In total, over 360 people attended this year’s event, making it the largest event of its kind nationally. Among the individuals in attendance were 12 children from a program in Westerville Ohio, a Deaf family from Romania staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati, individuals and families from Indiana, Michigan and other far off locations, as well as, 13 college students who obtained practicum experience under the supervision of professional interpreters.
