Rookie of the Year Returns for 2024 Campaign
Rookie of the Year Returns for 2024 Campaign
The 2023 500 Sprint Car Tour Rookie of the Year, Jackson Macenko, will return to the series with Brad Hayes Racing in 2024 for their second sprint car season together. The pair combined for one of the most impressive storylines of the 2023 season. 2024 will bring new challenges as both Macenko and Brad Hayes Racing look to qualify for the 76th Annual Little 500 for the first time in their respective careers.
“I’m extremely excited!” Macenko said. “Last year I spent the entire Little 500 weekend with Brad [Hayes] at the track, and it was driving me crazy watching from the sidelines. The drivers, the teams, the fans, everything around the weekend is exciting. It will be extremely special to be a part of!”
Jackson Macenko (#24) races Tyler Roahrig (#56) at Toledo Speedway - Jack Kessler Photo
Brad Hayes Racing brought a brand new race car to Anderson Speedway for the first race of the 2023 season and put a young, first time competitor in the cockpit. Macenko, having competed with Brad Hayes Racing in the USSA Kenyon Midget Series, had earned the right to move up to the 500 Sprint Car Tour and compete in a non wing pavement sprint car for the first time. Prior to Macenko’s first test session with the team, he had never piloted the larger, more powerful race car before in his career. The duo impressed mightily with eight top 10 finishes, one top five finish, a 90% total lap completion percentage, and finished the year in seventh place in the final points standings. The effort earned Macenko the 2023 Rookie of the Year honors.
“We were extremely happy with Jackson’s rookie season last year, and excited to build on that for 2024,” Brad Hayes said. “We will continue to develop the car, and give Jackson everything he needs to compete at the front. We will also be taking on the Little 500 for the first time”
Macenko ran every race in 2023 behind the wheel of the #24 Brad Hayes Racing machine with the exception of one event, the Little 500. That will change in 2024 as both Brad Hayes Racing and Macenko will enter into the event and attempt to qualify for the first time. As a series rookie in 2023, the team felt it best to hold off on the Little 500 until 2024 for Macenko to further become acclimated to the car and the competition. Both Macenko and Brad Hayes were present at the 2023 Little 500 to take everything in and get a feel for the cadence of the event. The duo is excited to try their hand at the legendary event come Memorial Day Weekend this May.
Jackson Macenko preparing his belts before hitting the track at Lorain County Speedway - Jack Kessler Photo
“Crew chief Tony Fox and I have talked about doing that race together for many years, and now with a strong driver, and a year of development under us, the time is right,” Said Brad Hayes about competing in the 76th Annual Little 500. “Jackson has a lot of laps around Anderson Speedway. He spent last year studying at the Little 500, taking in everything it takes to compete. We can’t wait for the challenge!”
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. 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 6 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 24th Running of the Glen Niebel Classic
May 22-25 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 76th Annual Little 500
June 8 - Berlin Raceway | Marne, Michigan
June 28 - Toledo Speedway | Toledo, Ohio
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 Saturday
