Track Enterprises have released the Preliminary 2007 Schedule
By: Jay Hardin

MACON, IL. (Jan. 31, 2007) - Bob Sargent and Track Enterprises have released the preliminary 2007 auto racing schedule for the Indiana, Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds featuring a schedule of open wheel and stock car events steeped in tradition on America's one mile fairground dirt ovals. Six days of racing are tentatively planned between the three venues with the possibility of additional events being announced at a later date.

First on the mile dirt track agenda is the 55th running of the world famous "Hoosier Hundred" on the flat mile of the Indiana State Fairgrounds known as the 'Track of Champions". Held on what is believed to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest continually operating auto racing track in the United States, the Hoosier Hundred is perhaps the most prestigious dirt track championship race in the nation. Forty of the finest dirt track drivers in the world are expected to be entered from the United States Auto Club Silver Crown series in the 55th edition of the Hoosier Hundred, contested during the Indianapolis 500 race weekend. Tony Stewart team driver Josh Wise won a thrilling race last year passing teammate Levi Jones on the last lap of the 100 mile event. Wise has since moved to NASCAR and could be back to defend his title in this year's Hoosier Hundred which is slated for Friday, May 25.

Mile dirt track racing takes a brief hiatus before invading the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield for a weekend of motorsports on the "World's Fastest One Mile Dirt Track" during the last weekend of the Illinois State Fair. The sights of carnival rides, shows and exhibits and the smells of fair food will be quite prevalent when the USAC Silver Crown cars pull into Springfield for the 47th running of the "Tony Bettenhausen 100" on Saturday, August 18. Last year's race saw Tracy Hines capture his second 100-mile dirt track race as he won the Tony Bettenhausen 100 after apparent winner Dave Steele was disqualified. Competing with the USAC contingent once again will be the Automobile Racing Club of America Lincoln Welders Truck Series. Norm Weaver scored a popular win in last season's "Best Western Classic" for the ARCA Trucks.

ARCA returns with it's RE/MAX Stock Car Series the next day, August 19 for the 45th Allen Crowe 100 on the Springfield Mile. The Allen Crowe 100 is just one of two 100-mile dirt track races for full bodied stock cars in the world and draws considerable media and fan interest. Last year was no exception as a world wide headlines were generated when twenty year old Justin Allgaier of Springfield became the first home town driver in the 72 year history of national championship racing on the Springfield Mile to post a major national championship victory as he won the 44th Allen Crowe 100 before a large crowd. Allgaier is expected to return to defend his title against five time Crowe 100 winner and eight time ARCA champ Frank Kimmel. Joining the ARCA stock cars will be the local and area short track stars for the 14th running of the Sportsman Nationals. Steve Sheppard, Jr. of nearby New Berlin captured his third win in last year's race making him the fourth multiple race winner of the Sportsman Nationals in the history of the event.

Two weeks after Springfield the focus of fairground style dirt track racing shifts to the coal mining country of Southern Illinois and the picturesque DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. Labor Day weekend has become synonymous with dirt track auto racing in the small community of DuQuoin, Illinois, a weekend that draws big crowds and stars from across the country in search of a 100-mile dirt track win. Sunday night September 2 features the annual "Ted Horn 100" for the USAC Silver Crown cars under the lights of the DuQuoin "Magic Mile". The 56th running of the Ted Horn 100 in 2006 featured a repeat winner as Tracy Hines took the lead from rookie Shane Cottle just before halfway and cruised to his second Horn 100 crown.

The ARCA RE/MAX Stock Cars wrap up the 2007 one mile dirt track slate as they invade DuQuoin for the 55th running of the Southern Illinois 100 stock car race. Local favorite and NASCAR star Ken Schrader duplicated fellow NASCAR driver Tony Stewart's 2003 feat when Schrader crossed the finish line ahead of the field, giving Schrader his first win on a one mile dirt track he had been trying to conquer since 1979! Schrader is expected to return to defend his Southern Illinois 100 crown and other NASCAR drivers are considering a run on Labor Day at DuQuoin as well. Joining the ARCA RE/MAX stock cars will be the running of the 14th annual Bill Oldani Memorial for the United Midwestern Promoters Modifieds, having completed their heat races the previous night with the Silver Crown machines. Robinson, Illinois' Brain Shaw set a new 20-mile track record last year on the way to his third Oldani Memorial trophy.

The traditional Illinois Fall Nationals for UMP Late Models and Modifieds has been moved this year to the LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois.

Tickets and additional information can be obtained by calling Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200 or by contacting Ticketmaster. You can visit Track Enterprises on the web at www.trackenterprises.com .