Tony Elliott Classic to Set Up Final Championship Push
Dave Higgins photo
On Thursday, October 6th the 500 Sprint Car Tour presented by Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores returns to Anderson Speedway for the 7th Annual Tony Elliott Classic presented by CB Fabricating and Crown Powder Coating. The event will be the final 500 Sprint Car Tour event held at Anderson Speedway, the tour’s home track. With only two races left on the inaugural schedule, and four points separating the top two drivers, the 100-lap race will prove to be a critical moment in the season.
The inaugural Tony Elliott Classic was held in 2016 to honor the life and legacy of famed sprint car racer, Tony Elliott. The two-time USAC National Sprint Car Champion tragically passed away in a plane crash in October of 2015 on his way to attend a college football game. Anderson Speedway held the inaugural Tony Elliott Classic on October 8th, 2016 exactly one year and six days after his passing. Elliott was one of the greats to thunder around the high banks of Anderson Speedway. Over the course of his career, Elliott competed in 22 Little 500’s with a career best finish of second in 2008. He also led over 1000 laps and achieved seven top-five finishes. Elliott was inducted into the Little 500 Hall of Fame in 2009.
Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, California) won the inaugural Tony Elliott Classic in 2016 and will look to become the second repeat winner of the Classic. Swanson trails championship leader, Dakoda Armstrong (New Castle, Indiana), by four points heading into the final two races of the season. Having won at Anderson back in July, Swanson is sure to be one of the favorites.
We would be remiss not to talk about Tyler Roahrig when we talk about the Tony Elliott Classic, being he is the only repeat winner and has dominated with three victories. In recent years, Roahrig has shown to be the most dominant driver at Anderson Speedway. He has collected two Little 500 victories in addition to his Tony Elliott Classic win in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Roahrig also holds the one-lap and four-lap speed records at Anderson with a 10.799 and 43.477 respectively. Roahrig will look to continue his winning ways as he has accumulated three victories this season with the 500 Sprint Car Tour.
With only two races left in the season, and a championship battle as closely contested as possible, the bull ring at Anderson can make or break the championship. The 100-lap race on the small, narrow racetrack will be a battle of wits and endurance. As the lap count rises, so will the driver's emotion. Patience will be scarce and tight racing will become tighter.
Dakoda Armstrong maintains a four point lead over Kody Swanson in the chase for the season championship. Billy Wease (Fishers, Indiana) sits in third place, trailing by 93 points. Kyle O’Gara (Camby, Indiana) and Bobby Santos III (Franklin, Mass.) round out the top five with 1209 and 1200 points respectively. Only 146 points separate the top five with 215 points being the maximum amount earned on a race weekend.
The 7th Annual Tony Elliott Classic Presented by CB Fabricating and Crown Powder Coating will be this Thursday, October 6th at 7:00pm. Tickets for the event are all general admission seating and are $15 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and kids 5 and under are free. The front gates will open at 3:30pm with racing set to begin at 7:00pm. Racing action will include the 500 Sprint Car Tour Presented by Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper Parts Stores as well as the USSA Midgets, a 30 lap pavement midget feature, and a season special 44 lap Midwest Champ Kart Race. All of the night’s racing action can be seen live via MAVTV on FloRacing starting at 7:00pm. The 500 Sprint Car Tour feature will be shown exclusively on MAVTV Network live at 8:00pm.