Hello Everyone,
Congratulations are going to Helio Castroneves for winning the 86th running of The Indianapolis 500. That is two in a row for the personable Brazilian and the most amazing fact is that it is the only two he has competed in!
We also extend congratulations to the other recent winners of Indy Racing League events, Jeff Ward by a whisker at Texas, Gil de Ferran at Pikes Peak, Sam Hornish in a thriller at Richmond and first time winners Airton Dare and Alex Barron at Kansas and Nashville. Those sold-out facilities are nice to see, too. How about the show the IRL put on at Michigan? Congratulations to Tomas Scheckter on his win there.

Hillsdale, Illinois Show

A model car and toy show will be held on October 6, 2002 at the Hillside Holiday Inn. The hotel is located at 440 Frontage Road in Hillside, IL. Admission to the show is $5.00.

Stock Car Show for Brickyard 400

Although this may reach you as late news we want to report that the 1st Annual Stock Car Diecast & Memorabilia Show is planned for Saturday August 3, 2002. Hours will be 10:00 am till 8:00 PM.
It will be at the Clarion Hotel at the Waterfront, 2930 Waterfront W, Indianapolis. That is 1/2 mile north of Crawfordsville Road (US 136) and just west of I-465. Admission is $5.00.

Sprint Car Hall of Fame Inductees

The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame recently held induction ceremonies at Knoxville Raceway in Iowa. Among the new members honored were drivers Jim McElreath, Jack Hewitt and Larry “Smokey” Snellbaker, owner/mechanic/builder Galen Fox, Official J.Gordon Betz, media member Dr. Dick Bergren, owner Sam Traylor and writer Joe Scalzo. Posthumously inducted were driver Lloyd Beckman, owner/mechanic Ralph “Speedy” Helm, Maynard “Hungry” Clark, Everett Saylor and John Bagley.

Grand Prix Memorabilia Show

The 3rd Annual Grand Prix of Motorsports Memorabilia show will be held Saturday September 28, 2002 at the Indiana Convention Center, downtown Indianapolis, next to the RCA Dome. The hours will be 2:00-9:00 PM. Admission is $5.00. For more information contact Joe Young at Racing Collectibles of Indiana, 1964 E. 109th St., Indianapolis, IN 46280 317-846-1414.

Midget Hall of Fame Inductees

The National Midget Racing Hall of Fame recently announced it’s list of this year’s inductees. The “Class of 2002” includes National Speedsport News Editor & Publisher emeritus Chris Economaki, driver Bill Betteridge, Badger Midget standout Billy Wood and past USAC Champion Tom Bigelow.
Economaki worked as a Stooge for several Midget teams based out of the famed Gasoline Alley area in Patterson, N.J. before becoming an announcer and journalist. He has been editor of NSSN since 1950.
Betteridge was among those pioneers who first competed in California in 1933. Midget racings inaugural season. He won the National Midget tittle in 1934 and 1936. He dies in a crash at Atlantic Speedway in 1937.
Wisconsin’s Billy Wood won eight Badger Midget Racing Association championships during his career. His first was 1954.
Bigelow was the 1984 USAC National Midget Champion. Ton earned 52 USAC Midget victories in his career, a record that still stands.
The formal induction ceremonies will be held August 25 at Angel Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.