April Race Brings New Challenges

(Jack Kessler photo)

By Ken de la Bastide

For the first time in many years Anderson Speedway will be hosting a non-wing sprint car race prior to the running of the Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW. The Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW is set for the last Saturday in May and for many prior years there were no sprint car races before the premier event. This year the 500 Sprint Car Tour presented by Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Part Stores will open their second season with the 23rd running of the Glen Niebel Classic presented by CB Fabricating on April 8.

The teams will be contesting a 75-lap event on the high banked quarter-mile oval. “You always want to start the season strong,” defending tour champion Kody Swanson said of the April race. “It's nice to have a chance to run the track before Little 500 week comes around. This is something we haven't had in awhile, we used to do this,” he said. “It's a welcome return.”

Defending Little 500 champion Tyler Roahrig said the April race means the teams have to prepare a little sooner over the winter months. “I kind of like it because it gives us a chance to shake things down and try some different set-ups,” Roahrig said of the April race. “It will help get the teams more prepared for the Little 500.” He said the team is going for three consecutive Little 500 victories. “We're going for 3 in a row, but approaching the race like we've never won before,” Roahrig said. “There is a little pressure just to win in general. I want to still have that hunger to win.”

Bobby Santos III took a philosophical approach to the April race, depending on how Lady Luck smiles on the team. “If the race goes well and its a good shake down, I think it will be great,” he said. “If it doesn't go well it can definitely throw a wrench into things. “It's a race and we're going to win it,” Santos said.

Billy Wease said there is some concern with an early event because of the potential impact on a Little 500 effort. “There will be a little pressure with a race in April because you don't want to tear your stuff up going into the big race,” he said. “We try to win all that you can. Anderson is a crap shoot anyway; there is a 50/50 chance of coming out in one piece.