Top Storylines Heading into Gene Nolen Classic
Top Storylines Heading into Gene Nolen Classic
A Lasting Legacy:
For the third consecutive year, Gene Nolen’s name bears the name of the 500 Sprint Car Tour Event at Anderson Speedway. Gene was a car owner for over four decades, owning Sprint Cars and Silver Crown Cars. His passion for engineering shined through with his commitment to the V6 engine and suspension set ups on pavement sprint cars. Nolen won his first Little 500 in 2018 with Kody Swanson. That victory had eluded him since he first entered the Little 500 with Jim Keefer in 1996. The V6 engine that Gene Nolen pioneered in non wing pavement sprint car racing, still powers the Nolen Racing cars as they continue to compete in events at Anderson Speedway, including the Annual Little 500 Sprint Car Classic
Two for Two in 2024 for O’Gara:
O’Gara strapping into the #67 Drive Planning Sprint Car at Anderson Speedway - Jack Kessler Photo
Kyle O’Gara, a two-time 500 Sprint Car Tour winner, has been as close as ever to claiming a victory in a third consecutive season. O’Gara has once again shown that he has consistent speed week in and week out. With a second place finish at the season opening event at Anderson Speedway and another second place finish in the most recent event at Toledo Speedway, O’Gara currently sits in second place in the 2024 points standings. Being in the thick of the championship fight for now the third season, O’Gara will be looking to turn his second place finishes into victories as he chases his first 500 Sprint Car Tour Championship.
Swanson Playing Musical Chairs Sprint Car Edition:
Kody Swanson, the 2022 series champion and current points leader, will be heading into the Gene Nolen Classic looking for his third podium finish in as many races. Swanson will also be looking to accomplish this feat with his third team in 2024. After beginning the season with a victory in the Mission Foods Doran-Binks Racing machine, Swanson followed suit with a third place finish at Toledo Speedway in the Salem Speedway sponsored sprint car owned by Nick Bohanon. This Saturday, Swanson will return to his roots as he climbs behind the wheel of the #4 Nolen Racing machine that earned him two Little 500 victories in 2018 and 2019. After having a strong relationship with Gene Nolen himself, Swanson piloted his way to back-to-back Gene Nolen Classic victories in emotional fashion. He will be looking to find some of his old Nolen Racing magic in search of a third consecutive Gene Nolen Classic victory and the opportunity to extend his championship lead.
Billy Wease Continues Consistency:
Billy Wease has been a prominent figure in the 500 Sprint Car Tour since the series’ inception in 2021. Claiming a very popular victory, both on and off the track, at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in 2023, Wease came into the 2024 season ready to compete. He began the season as consistent as anyone with two top five finishes in the first two races. Wease has also qualified inside the top 10 in both races, including a lucky draw that placed him on pole position at Toledo Speedway. Wease also qualified 10th and finished fifth in the non points earning, but ever important, 76th Annual Little 500 presented by UAW. Currently sitting in third place in the championship point standings, just 29 points behind leader Kody Swanson, Wease will be looking to continue his streak of consistency as he fights for a 500 Sprint Car Tour Championship.
Rookie of the Year Battle Heats Up:
The 2023 Rookie of the Year campaign saw Jackson Macenko run away early with multiple candidates being removed from the equation. In 2024, the Rookie of the Year battle is producing the type of action fans have been yearning to see. Four drivers currently have themselves firmly in the Rookie of the Year battle with Olivia Shelbo, Brady Allum, Tim Creech, and Nathan Byrd all scoring points early on. A hard hitting crash at Toledo has all but eliminated Shelbo from claiming the title as she sits 195 points behind ROY leader, Nathan Byrd. Tim Creech sits right behind Byrd in second place, only 25 points behind, while Brady Allum sits firmly in third place just 80 points out of first place. With the uncertainty that comes with racing at Anderson Speedway, one bad night for one of the rookie competitors along with a great night by another can drastically change the landscape of the 2024 Rookie of the Year battle.
Rob Keesling Back in the Saddle:
Kessling preparing to make his qualifying run for the 2024 Little 500 - Jack Kessler Photo
Rob Keesling returns to Anderson Speedway after making an impressive Little 500 debut at this year’s 76th Annual Little 500 presented by UAW. After a scary crash in qualifying for the 2021 Little 500, Keesling has worked relentlessly to get back into the car again and go racing. In 2022, keesling purchased an Eagle Chassis from the Swanson Family and began preparations for his return. After many testing attempts, the car was ready to go and so was Keesling. Absent from the first day of practice at this year’s Little 500 due to a lack of crew members, an effort was put together to get Keesling in the show. He showed up on the first day of qualifying, and with little practice, he found enough speed to qualify for his first Little 500. Keesling now returns to Anderson Speedway to make his official 500 Sprint Car Tour debut in the 3rd Annual Gene Nolen Classic.
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).
2024 500 Sprint Car Tour Schedule:
April 14th - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 24th Running of the Glen Niebel Classic
Winner: Kody Swanson
May 22-25 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 76th Annual Little 500 (Non-Points)
Winner: Caleb Armstrong
June 8 - Berlin Raceway | Marne, Michigan
Event canceled due to weather
June 28 - Toledo Speedway | Toledo, Ohio
Winner: Tyler Roahrig
July 13 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 3rd Annual Gene Nolen Classic
August 23 - Kalamazoo Speedway | Kalamazoo, Michigan
August 24 - Berlin Raceway | Marne, Michigan
September 7 - Salem Speedway | Salem, Indiana | 65th Running of the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial
October 5 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 9th Annual Tony Elliott Classic
October 19 - Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park | brownsburg, Indiana | Championship Night
