Top Storylines Heading into Salem Speedway
Top Storylines Heading into Salem Speedway
The Race Comes Home:
For the first time since 2020, the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial Race returns HOME to Salem Speedway. From the time Nick Bohanon purchased Salem Speedway in 2022, one of his first goals was having this race return to Salem. After two years of the race being held at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg, Indiana, the race returns to Salem. This will be the first non-wing pavement sprint car race held at Salem since 2010. The JJ/PO Memorial was run from 2011-2015 with winged sprint cars and 2016-2020 with the USAC silver crown cars. The history of the JJ/PO Memorial runs deep, being the second oldest pavement sprint car race in the country. The winners list is as impressive as any. Names that have graced the winner circle include AJ Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Tom Bigelow, Pancho Carter, Rich Vogler, Tony Stewart, Dave Steele, Ed Carpenter, and Bryan Clauson.
Honoring Two Racers:
The race honors two former racers, Joe James and Pat O’Connor. Joe James was a racer from Mississippi that died in a racing accident at San Jose Speedway in 1952. He made two starts in the Indianapolis 500 in 1951 and 1952. James was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1997.
Pat O’Connor from North Vernon, Indiana is the second driver honored as part of the race. The local southern Indiana racer won the race that now bears his name in 1954 and 1957. In 1957 he sat on the pole for the Indianapolis 500 and finished 8th. O’Connor was coming off of a career best 1957 season where he finished 4th in the AAA/USAC Championship. O’Connor qualified 5th for the 1958 Indy 500. Unfortunately, O’Connor was part of a 15 car pileup on the first lap of the Indy 500 in turn 3. O’Connor would pass away in the accident at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His name was added to the event in 1958. O’Connor’s family have been great stewards of the race through the years with this year being no exception. Many family members including O’Connor’s wife plan on attending this Saturday’s race.
High Bank King:
Kody Swanson’s accolades in racing are some of the most impressive ever seen. However; his “High-Bank Pavement” prowess is nothing short of exceptional. He has five Joe James/Pat O’Connor victories at Salem Speedway from 2016-2020. All of those victories came in the USAC Silver Crown Series. The USAC Silver Crown Series in recent years has also competed at Salem’s High Banked counterpart Winchester Speedway (Winchester, Indiana). He has won the last three Winchester Silver Crown races from 2022-2024. Swanson is also the only driver entered into this weekend’s race who competed in the last non-wing race in 2010. Swanson started 8th and finished in the 6th position. His competitors have identified Swanson as the driver to beat this Saturday.
Kody Swanson in Victory at Salem Speedway after winning his 5th consecutive Joe James/Pat O'Connor Victory - Rich Forman Photo
Just 48 Points:
48 Points separates the Top 4 in the point standings after 5 races. Kody Swanson retook the points lead after the last race at Berlin Raceway. He leads Billy Wease by just three points. Wease has been the model of consistency with four top 5 finishes so far this season. Wease has always favored the high speed race tracks. Wease captured his first 500 Sprint Car Tour win at the banked half mile of Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway last year. Bobby Santos III is just 12 points behind Swanson. The July Anderson Speedway winner also has made multiple open wheel starts at Salem Speedway. Kyle O’Gara finds himself 48 points out of the lead. After an accident destroyed their frame at Anderson in July, the team rebuilt the car and will continue to make improvements on the car. O’Gara has not been a strong qualifier in 2024, but has passed more cars than anyone else so far this season.
USSA Kenyon Midgets:
The USSA Kenyon Midget Series will race with the 500 Sprint Car Tour for the fifth time this season. The full size midgets that run a spec engine will compete on the flat ¼ mile track in the infield. The series has a season high 16 cars entered for Saturday's race. Ryan Huggler is the championship leader with a 19 point lead over Evan Hammond. Salem will be a new track to all the drivers except Clayton Bohanon. Clayton is the son of Salem track owner, Nick Bohanon. Clayton races on the ¼ mile track regularly in a Legend. The USSA Kenyon Midget Series has continued to be a great contributor to 500 Sprint Car Tour Events for the fans and competitors.
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, the 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 point earning events across a ten race schedule from early April to mid October. The 76th Annual Little 500 was once again 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).
