[AndersonSpeedway]

Back Home Again to Salem Speedway

Excitement around a 500 Sprint Car Tour event is at an all-time high as the series brings the 65th Running of the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial back to Salem Speedway. With Kentuckiana Ford Dealers on board as the event's sponsor, and NOS Energy and Hard Truth Distillery as presenting sponsors the historic event returns to Salem Speedway, its original home, for the first time since 2020 when the USAC Silver Crown Series was sanctioning the event. Kody Swanson was the last driver to win the JJ/PO Memorial at Salem Speedway and enters the weekend as the current 500 Sprint Car Tour points leader.

Nostalgia is the name of the game this September, 7th at Salem Speedway. Stories come back to life and traditions become renewed as the second oldest sprint car race in America, only behind the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway, returns to its rightful home. The hallowed grounds of Salem Speedway will once again be brought to life by the thundering sound of a non-wing pavement sprint car speeding around its high banked corners.

With thoughts of renowned drivers such as Jeff Gordon, AJ Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Eddie Sachs, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Rollie Beale, Pancho Carter, Bob Frey, Dave Steele, Eric Gordon, Tony Stewart, and of course, Joe James and Pat O’Connor, drivers of today are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to turn the same corners that their heroes turned decades ago. The list of JJ/PO Memorial winners at Salem Speedway is long and distinguished. Now, another driver will add their name to the storied history of this great event.

2022 500 Sprint Car Tour Champion, Kody Swanson, enters the weekend as the favorite to not only claim victory in the historic event, but to extend his points lead. Swanson is a five-time JJ/PO Memorial Winner, with all five wins coming in the USAC Silver Crown Series. Swanson is also a three-time winner at Salem’s sister track, Winchester Speedway. Winchester Speedway is known as the World’s Fastest Half Mile as its extreme banking creates a daunting challenge for its competitor. Similar in style and fashion, Salem Speedway will reward drivers willing to risk it all. Driving a car sponsored by Salem Speedway and owned by Salem Speedway owner, Nick Bohanon, Swanson knows better than most how to risk it all at a track such as Salem Speedway.

The top five drivers in the 500 Sprint Car Tour points standings are currently separated by only 62 points. With three races left on the schedule, including the unpredictable Salem Speedway, drivers like Bill Wease, Bobby Santos III, Kyle O’Gara, and Jackson Macenko will be looking to maximize opportunity in Saturday’s event. 500 Sprint Car Tour officials conducted a test at Salem Speedway in the Fall of 2023 before making the decision to move the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial back to the track. Macenko, fresh off a Rookie of the Year campaign, was the driver in attendance for the testing session. Although not in a competitive race setting, he will surely be looking back on that experience to help him gain positions in the championship race.

After losing a spot to Bobby Santos III on the final lap at Berlin Raceway, Billy Wease lost control over the championship. On the flip side of that pass, Santos moved himself into a better position to compete for the Championship. Both drivers are now in a position to earn as many points as possible at Salem Speedway with the Championship still in sight. Kyle O’Gara has had arguably the most eventful chase for a championship in 2024. From driving his way through the field, on multiple occasions, to destroying and rebuilding a race car, O’Gara sits comfortably in fourth place with a chance to pounce on the championship leaders come Saturday.

An optional practice will be contested on Friday from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. On Saturday, spectator gates open at 3:00pm with Racing to begin at 7:00pm. Along with the 500 Sprint Car Tour, USSA Kenyon Midget Series and Diesel Boys Race Parts Legends will compete on the ¼ track. Tickets for Saturday’s event at Salem Speedway are available in advance at Salemspeedway.com. Tickets will also be available at the gate.

The 2024 500 Sprint Car Tour season will see nine points earning events across a ten race schedule from early April to mid October. The 76th Annual Little 500 will once again be a non-points earning event for the series, filling out the ten race schedule in its traditional Memorial Day Weekend slot. All races, including the 76th Annual Little 500, will be streamed LIVE on DIRTVision. For more information on the 500 Sprint Car Tour visit: 500sprintcartour.com and be sure to follow on social media (Facebook: 500 Sprint Car Tour | Twitter (X): @500SprintTour | Instagram: @500sprintcartour).

Joe James/Pat O'Connor Entry List
OZ Cord Erhart Antwerp, Ohio
1 Dakoda Armstrong New Castle, Indiana
4 Donnie Adams Jr. Yorktown, Indiana
18 Shane Butler Bushnell, Florida
19 Joe Liguori Tampa, Florida
22 Bobby Santos III Franklin, Massachusetts
24 Jackson Macenko Cincinnati, Ohio
31 Tim Creech Greenfield, Indiana
33 Kody Swanson Kingsburg, California
40 Nathan Byrd Goodyear, Arizona
42 Rob Keesling Alexandria, Indiana
53 Justin Harper Denver, Indiana
55 Taylor Ferns Shelby Township, Michigan
64 Cole Sink Fort Wayne, Indiana
67 Kyle O'Gara Camby, Indiana
74 Tony Main Farmland, Indiana
80 Billy Wease Noblesville, Indiana

[snowdrift]

To the top need pavement fans to support this race

[openwheelfan1]

My first USAC race was at Salem in 1967. I miss USAC pavement races. I hope Salem gets a good car count and a HUGE crowd!

[Amzie]

Great race tonight. I was happy to see sprints running Salem again. I hope they return next year.

[mc/rider]

A great win for Taylor Ferns. Started from the pole and drove hard holding off one of the best

[snowdrift]

Good racing at Salem great quality of cars and well run program on 500 staff and all involved with the speedway.It was nice how clean they kept the track with there blowers

[jdull99]

https://www.speedsport.com/sprints-m...nnor-memorial/