Roahrig to Compete for Championship in 2023
Jack Kessler photo
Tyler Roahrig (Plymouth, Indiana) has committed to a full 500 Sprint Car Tour schedule in 2023. The two-time, and defending, Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW champion will look to continue his winning ways and be named the 2023 500 Sprint Car Tour Champion.
Roahrig competed in eight of the nine points earning events for the 500 Sprint Car Tour in 2022. A scheduling conflict and a blown engine early in the June 30th event at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park caused him to drop in the point standings. Despite the early hiccups, Roahrig rebounded to win the most races in 2022 with four victories. His four wins propelled him into sixth place in the point standings at the end of the season. With no scheduling conflicts in 2023, Roahrig will compete in all nine points earning events in hopes of being crowned series champion.
“I am excited to race at some new tracks in 2023,” said Tyler Roahrig. “I have competed many times in my outlaw (late model) at Toledo so I am excited to race with my sprint car there. We should be able to take past experiences and use them right away. Nashville has always been a place I’ve wanted to race in a sprint car, so that race I am really looking forward to.”
2023 will be an important season for Roahrig as he looks to become only the eighth driver to win the Little 500 three or more times. After winning the 73rd and 74th editions of the event in 2021 and 2022, Roahrig would be only the third driver in Little 500 history to win three consecutive races. The last driver to accomplish this feat was Eric Gordon when he won five straight Little 500’s between 2001 and 2005.
“It is going to be hard to win a third Little 500 in a row but we are up to the challenge. We were really, really lucky to win last year, but we are excited for the 75th Anniversary race. The race seems to get bigger and bigger, and more prestigious each year. It would be a special one to win.”
In addition to a full 500 Sprint Car Tour schedule, Roahrig will also be competing full-time in the USAC Silver Crown Series with Legacy Autosport. As he takes a step back from Outlaw Late Model to focus on his open wheel discipline, Roahrig will be competing on both the dirt and pavement portions of the Silver Crown schedule. This will be Roahrig’s first full season with the Silver Crown series and will also be the inaugural season for his team, Legacy Autosport. The two competed together for the first time for Howard Companies Championship Night at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on October 22nd. Roahrig and Legacy finished in third place as they debuted their new Silver Crown entry for the first time. Roahrig has long made the final set up decisions on his race cars and will carry that into his position at Legacy Autosport.
Jack Kessler photo
“Luckily the 500 Sprint Car Tour Schedule coincides with the USAC Silver Crown schedule,” explained Tyler Roahrig. “I am going to have to step back from outlaw late model racing, but I am looking forward to open wheel racing in 2023. Our goal is to win as many sprint car races as possible and win the 500 Sprint Car Tour Championship!”
Tyler Roahrig’s sprint car team will continue to receive support from partners CB Fabricating, Mitch Smith Auto Service, Evan Jackson Racing Engines, and Penske Racing Shocks.
The 500 Sprint Car Tour will run a 10 race schedule from early April through mid October. Nine of the 10 races will be points earning events with the 75th Annual Lucas Oil Little 500 presented by UAW (Saturday, May 27th, 2023) being a non-points earning special event. 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: @500SprintTour | Instagram: @500sprintcartour).