500 Sprint Car Tour Roundtable: Volume 4 - Drivers
(Jack Kessler photo)
In 2023 we are going to release a bi-monthly roundtable for our readers. These roundtable discussions will allow readers to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the 500 Sprint Car Tour. Follow along as we talk to drivers, owners, crew chiefs, and family members about life in the fast lane.
Today’s Question: Outside of yourself, who do you think will win the 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW?
Scott Hampton - Unified Group Services #51: “It's hard to pick just one driver to win since so many factors go into the race, but if I had to, my first pick would be Tyler Roahrig. He’s proven he can win and is looking for his third consecutive. I would say he's the best pavement driver out there right now and can win in anything. Tyler is on top of his game and full of confidence, so we just need to figure out how to stop him. My second pick would be Bobby Santos III. He knows how to run longer races and he’s smart. The main thing with the little 500 is being able to finish the race and he showed he can do it since he's won before. We know Bobby won’t fall out of the seat either since he’s been working out so much!”
Tony Main - Big Stuff Paint & Body #74: “I would say Brian Gerster. He was super quick in 2022 with a solid team of guys that have been helping him for several years. Having had several good runs/finishes in the last few years, Gerster would definitely be my pick to win his first Little 500.”
Brian Gerster - Winchester Furniture Showroom #27: “An outside the box pick that not many would think of is Caleb Armstrong. Caleb is consistently stupid fast. Having qualified on pole before he has shown to have the pace to win. I fully believe if he is able to put together 500 solid laps, he will be fighting for the victory as the checkered flag drops. I would not count out Tyler Roahrig winning his third in a row though. All the momentum is on his side right now.”
Tyler Roahrig - CB Fabricating #56: “Kody Swanson or Bobby Santos. Both are previous winners, so obviously they know how to position themselves to win the Little 500. They are both always in contention to win not just the Little 500 but almost every race they start, so in my eyes it’s just a matter of time before each of them win the race again, probably multiple times for each.”
Jacob McElfresh - Speed Chaser #64: “Well of course I am going to win, but if I had to guess who would win other than myself I would choose Shane Hollingsworth. Shane has had a very quick car at Anderson in recent years. He is also a consistent driver who can finish races. You can have the fastest car but if you do not finish you can not win.”