All photographs by Jim Michels.

The Salem Speedway powered by the Hoosier Lottery was alive with racing for two days July 5 and 6. Some groups ran both days supporting the main feature races on the high banks.

A new format was introduced by setting a time limit on each race to help keep to the schedule. Basically, this amounts to about a minute per lap. Twenty-five laps/twenty-five minutes, which-ever came first. This did shorten a few races that were plagued with yellow flags. Red flag will stop the clock. 

The first race Friday was the Bandoleros a entrant level group. These are scaled-down model cars with small motors with slow acceleration, but they can reach speeds of seventy miles per hour. The roof flips up so the driver can get into the car, they are that small. Winning that race was young Chase Bohanon.

Next was the next bigger division the Legend cars. The winner in that division was Max Olmsted; second place, Xavier King; and third place, Galen Clark.

Still on the small track were the Ford Crown Vics for Figure 8 excitement. The guy dominating the Ford Figure 8 races was fastest qualifier Jacob Robertson. Robertson won after holding off Alex Bube in a caution-free race.

Friday’s next raced moved to the high banks for the Salem Super Cars. This 25-lap feature was won by Brian Rose out of the Kimmel racing stable. Second was Jamie Mosley, and third Shayne Slider.  These are retired ARCA race cars with crate engines to add to the close competitive race. All crate motors are the same.

The main feature was the inaugural Red Worrall Big Bang 100 for Ford Crown Vics. This race honored the memory of Red Worrall. He had a big impact on local short-track racing. He was also a giving person, and with that in mind the family started the Red Worrall Foundation. He was always there to help others in need. Worrall had also served on the Clarksville Town Council.

This race on the high banks for Ford Crown Vics paid $1500. The race was full of the usual excitement. The lead car was Ronnie Basham, driving the Jeff Roberts Ford, followed by Noah Allison and Chase Adams most of the race. It the last laps, when the pressure is on to go for it, Allison got shuffled back to eighth place. Basham won holding off second-place Dillion Kaelin and third-place Chase Adams.

Saturday’s race started with a short track Ford Crown Vic race for 25 laps on this flat track. Pulling out the win was Nick Cook; second-place Brandon Decker; and third-place, Nick Payne.

The second Ford Figure 8 with a 22-car field was again won by Jacob Robertson with Alex Bube second and third was Kyle LaFever. It was a three-car battle

The Legend cars returned Saturday with Galen Clark the winner, second Ashton Murello, and third, Xavier King.

The main event was the Washington County Tourist Firecracker 200 for the GAS/CRA cars. There were a few yellows in this race, but it lasted the whole 200 laps. Caution laps count in this race until the end so it doesn’t end under caution. In this race there was a competition stop at the half way mark for 10 minutes. A horn marks the time to start and blows again after the ten minutes is over. The crew can change two tires, make adjustments and add gas with the car still on the track.

The twist at the stop was a pill drawn for the top eight cars to draw for places in the restart. Chuck Barnes Jr, who lead most of the way, was second. He continued to dominate until the end. He had to hold off a very determined Brett Hudson that challenged him the last few laps. In the mix was Heath Helton who finished third behind Hudson. This was a 22-car field with 14 cars finishing on the lead lap. All restarts use the choose cone in all divisions. This symbol is painted on the track. Definitely shuffles the field at times.

At the Choose Cone a driver can pick which lane is wants high or low. The high side is usual best on the high banks but the low side the driver may gain positions.

The next race is the ARCA Menards series plus the GAS division on Saturday, July 27.