JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour late models headline Midwest 150

Three divisions are set to converge on Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery Saturday night for the fifth annual Midwest 150.  The night features the super-fast JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour late models and the always exciting Lucas Oil Great American Stocks on the .555-mile high banks.  The Salem Front Wheel Drive Stocks will provide the racing action on the quarter-mile infield oval.

The night of racing will be topped off with the fifth annual “Midwest 100” for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour.

A solid field of cars and drivers with a distinct local flavor is expected for what will be the only late model race of the season at Salem, reports track general manager Richard Deaton.

“The overall competition level is looking strong for the race this year,” said Deaton, who noted that the Kentuckiana area is well represented.

Headlining the list of early entrants is defending race winner Jack Smith of Clyde, Ohio.  Smith, who finished second to Cody Caughlin in the 2016 “Midwest 100”, held off a hard charging Jack Dossey III to capture his first Salem victory one year ago.

Dossey of Indianapolis, who made his ARCA Racing Series debut at Salem Speedway back in April, has filed an entry for Saturday’s race, as has Josh Brock of Corbin, Ky.

Brock, a former Ken-Ten Pro Late Model winner at Salem, currently leads the ARCA/CRA Super Series point standings.

Other hard-charging short track drivers expected includes Cole Williams of Borden, Ind., Mason Keller of Indianapolis and Dakota Stroup of Owensboro, Ky.

Williams, a two-time Pro Late Model track champion at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, certainly knows his way around a high banked race track, as he scored a big win at the 2017 U.S. Short-Track Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway.  He also recorded a top five finish in the 2014 “Midwest 100” at Salem.

Other area drivers expected for Saturday’s race include Trey Craig of Louisville, Corey Deuser of Lanesville, Ind., Brett Robinson of New Albany, Blake Hillard of Owensboro, and Jared Smith of Stanford, Ky.

Harrison Hall at just 12-year-old put his name in the Salem record books one year ago as the youngest driver to ever compete on the high banks.  The Centerville, Ohio, driver, who has filed an entry for Saturday’s race, is hoping to improve on his 13th place finish from last year.

The Lucas Oil Great American Stocks Hoosier Lottery 50 will serve as a prelude to the “Midwest 100”.

Todd Kempf (296) of Huntingburg, Ind., who has won two of three Great American Stock races in 2018 and tops the point standings, heads the list of drivers expected for the Hoosier Lottery 50.

Tim Rivers (284) of Salem, Baden Stewart (272) of Campbellsburg, Heath Helton (266) of Owensboro and Brian Bayer (263) of Birdseye, Ind., round out the top five in the current Great American Stock standings.

The evening of racing actions also includes the Salem Front Wheel Drive Stocks in the Hoosier Lottery 25 on the infield short-track.

Carl Higgins Jr. (200) of Louisville, Aaron Seay (198) of Clarksville, Austin Scott (195) of Lexington, Ind., and Jesse Allen (194) of Lanesville are currently locked in a tight battle for the top spot in the Front Wheel Drive standings.   

An open practice session for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars is set to take place on Friday, June 15th from 5 to 7 p.m.  Spectators are invited to view practice from the grandstand area at no admission charge.

Spectator gates open on Saturday (June 16) and practice begins at 3:30 p.m., with qualifications at 6 p.m. and the first race rolling off at 7:15 p.m. (EDT).

Tickets are currently selling for the Midwest 150 and may be purchased on-line at www.salemspeedway.com or by calling 812-883-6504 or 1-888-246-7223.