Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery, in conjunction with the 500 Sprint Car Tour, has released the event logo for the upcoming 65th running of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial Presented by Hard Truth Distilling Co. and NOS Energy Drink, which will take place on Saturday, September 7th. Also racing that day will be the USSA Kenyon Midget Series and the Diesel Boys Race Parts Legends on the ¼ mile inner Salem track. The Midwest Vintage Racecar Club will also be on hand with vintage race cars on display and making laps on the ½ mile.

The Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial is the second longest running pavement sprint car race in the world behind the Little 500. After traditionally being held at Salem Speedway, with the exception of a few years when the race was held on dirt, the race was held the last two years at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park after not being held in 2021. The race was last held at Salem Speedway in 2020.

The Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial will be sanctioned by the 500 Sprint Car Tour, who sanctioned the event at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2022 and 2023. This year’s event marks the return of non-wing Sprint Cars to the historic ½ mile oval. The last non-winged Sprint Car event at Salem was the 2010 Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial that was won by Shane Hmiel and sanctioned by USAC. The event was run with Wing Sprint Cars from 2011 through 2015. The event was then sanctioned by USAC Silver Crown, where Kody Swanson won the event a record five times in a row from 2016 through 2020.

The past winners of this historic event is a who’s who of open wheel racing including Pat O’Connor (When it was just the Joe James Memorial), Eddie Sachs, Bob Sweikert, A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Rollie Beale, Gary Bettenhausen, Tom Bigelow, Pancho Carter, Greg Leffler, Rich Vogler, Steve Butler, Jim Keeker, Kenny Irwin Jr., Tony Stewart, Chet Fillip, Dave Steele, Dave Darland, Eric Gordon, Tracy Hines, Brian Tyler, Bryan Clauson and Brian Gerster.

Hines currently holds the non-wing Sprint Car track record at Salem Speedway at a 15.181 set on August 12, 2000.

Pit gates open on Saturday, September 7th at 12 p.m., with spectator gates opening at 3 p.m. Practice will begin at 3 p.m., with qualifying set to begin at 6 p.m. The racing action begins at 7 p.m. There will be an open practice on Friday, September 6th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and grandstands seating will be free of charge to watch the open practice on Friday.

Advanced tickets are now on sale for the 65th running of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial Presented by Hard Truth Distillery and NOS Energy Drink through the Salem Speedway website at www.salemspeedway.com or by calling the track office at 866 2GO-RACE. General Admission tickets are $25, chairback seat tickets are $30, kids’ tickets for ages 6 to 12 are $5, kids 5 and under are free.

More information on Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery and the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial is available on the track’s website and via social media on Facebook and Twitter (X).

More information on the 500 Sprint Car Tour 2024 season can be found online at 500SprintCarTour.com and via social media on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram.

Record-breaking tournament to benefit veterans and the Indiana War Memorials Foundation

INDIANAPOLIS — The grounds of the America Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis will be the site of the largest single-day cornhole tournament in the country. The first Indy Cornhole Classic: Throwing for Veterans will take place on August 19 from 2 to 6 p.m., and organizers are inviting cornhole enthusiasts from across the state to participate.

“Right now, the current record for a single-day cornhole tournament is held by the Iowa State Fair,” said Blaine Zimmerman, president and CEO of INVets and Indiana War Memorial Foundation board member. “We are welcoming all players, no matter their skill level, to come out and play in support of a great cause. We would love to see a huge event.”

Presented by INVets and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), proceeds from the event will benefit the Indiana War Memorials Foundation. These funds help support, maintain, and program the many monuments and memorials that honor veterans.

“The best part of this tournament is that participation makes a direct, positive impact on the lives of our veterans and their families,” said Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin USAF, Ret., Executive Director of the Indiana War Memorials Commission. “The funds raised here will go a long way in supporting and maintaining the beautiful monuments and memorials that pay tribute to the brave men and women who've served our nation over the years.”

Every level of cornhole player, from competitive to recreational, will have an opportunity to compete for prizes. Cash prizes will be awarded to cornholers who play at the competitive level. Recreational cornhole players can vie for an array of donated prizes. The entrance fee is $70 for the competitive level and $40 for the recreational. Players can compete at the competitive or recreational level, but not both. At least one person from each team must pre-register on the free Scoreholio app after tickets have been purchased through Eventbrite.

In addition to the cornhole tournament, there will be a family-friendly festival in Veterans Memorial Plaza with free games and activities and a “mess hall” on North Street that will have food trucks, a silent auction, and adult-beverage vendors. Attending the festival is free.

The Indiana War Memorial Museum, located at 55 E. Michigan Street, will also be open to the public 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free 30,000 square-foot museum boasts three floors of beautiful exhibits, with interior and exterior designed to honor and remember Indiana’s veterans. Learn more here.

“The National Guard is bringing their inflatable obstacle course which is fun for everybody. People will be able to play cornhole against Rowdie the mascot for the Indianapolis Indians and Sting Ray Robb, a rookie IndyCar driver. People can meet them and get their autographs,” said Zimmerman.

The Indy Cornhole Classic is managed by Custom Cornhole, an organization that has organized more than 1,500 tournaments in 17 years.

The event is outdoors with a rain date of August 20.

To purchase tickets from Eventbrite go to www.eventbrite.com/e/indy-cornhole-classic-tickets-568253630907

To get more information and to register go to www.in.gov/dva/home/indy-cornhole-classic/

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About INVets

Partnering with veterans, their families, and Indiana communities to facilitate a meaningful transition to civilian life while strengthening Indiana’s economy.

About the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA)

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) is a state agency dedicated to serving. Its mission is to Support, Serve, and Advocate for the Indiana Veteran Community.  IDVA aims to create a state where veterans Live, Work and Thrive. For more information about IDVA and its services, visit in.gov/dva.  

About the Indiana War Memorials Foundation

The Indiana War Memorials Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial support for the museum, memorials, monuments, and parks that the Commission manages and operates. Together, we honor the valor, history, and sacrifice of Hoosier veterans. The museum collections, memorials, monuments, and parks allow us to share the stories of the heroic service men and women so that future generations can learn, honor, and be inspired by them.

August is the perfect time to practice your shooting skills. Not only is it in the midst of the Paris 2024 Olympics, but it’s also National Shooting Sports Month. You can watch Olympic shooting sports on TV and join the fun at your local DNR shooting range.

Depending on the range you visit, you can practice archery, rifle, shotgun, handgun, trap, and skeet. 

Watch our new shooting range video to view our facilities and find more information about DNR shooting ranges on our Public Shooting Ranges web page.

Regional Shooting Ranges:

Clark State Forest
2 Service Road
Henryville, IN 47126
812-294-4306
Rifle, shotgun, handgun
Monday and Thursday: Noon - sunset.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: Sunrise - sunset.
Sunday: Closed.
$5 a day, $25 for annual pass.

Crosley FWA
2010 S. State Highway 3
North Vernon, IN 47265
812-346-5596
Archery, rifle, handgun
Open: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, Wednesday – Sunday Closed: Monday and Tuesday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day Winter Hours for January and February Open: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, Friday, Saturday, Sunday Closed: Monday – Thursday.
Archery Range: Open daily sunrise to sunset

Hardy Lake
5620 N. Hardy Lake Road
Scottsburg, IN 47170
812-794-3800
Archery
Daily: Sunrise - sunset.

Jackson-Washington State Forest
1278 East State Road 250
Brownstown, IN 47220
812-358-2160
Archery
Daily: Sunrise - Sunset.

Patoka Lake
3084 N. Dillard Road
Birdseye, IN 47513
812-338-5589
Archery
Daily: Sunrise - Sunset.

Basic range rules for all Division of Fish & Wildlife operated ranges:
This is not a comprehensive list of rules; please read and obey all rules posted at the range you visit.
    •    Eye and ear protection are required on all firearm ranges.
    •    All range users and visitors must wear a shirt and shoes (closed-toed shoes and a full T-shirt are suggested).
    •    Shoot only at paper targets placed on the provided target holders; clay targets are allowed on the shotgun range.
    •    Automatic fire and rapid fire (more than one shot per second) are prohibited.
    •    .50 caliber BMG or any firearm capable of delivering more than 9,000 ft/lbf (foot pounds of force) are prohibited.
    •    Holstered firearms are not allowed anywhere on the shooting range, except by on-duty uniformed law enforcement officers.
    •    Eating, drinking, and smoking are allowed only in the parking area.
    •    Range users must be at least eighteen years old or accompanied by someone who is at least 18 years old.