Casey’s General Store GAS/CRA Challenge is Sunday

Bragging rights will once again be on the line as the best-of-the-best in street stock type racing converge on Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery for the second annual Casey’s General Store GAS/CRA Challenge on Sunday afternoon, June 3rd.

The north-south shootout, featuring the Salem Speedway Lucas Oil Great American Stocks and the Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stocks powered by JEGS, is expected to attract the top street stock racers from throughout Indiana and Kentucky.

“We’re looking for another outstanding race,” said Salem Speedway general manager Richard Deaton, who noted that the main event will be run in three 50-lap “legs”.

The Lawrence Towing CRA Street Stocks and Lucas Oil Great American Stocks will each run 50-lap feature events with the top 12 finishers from each race transferring to the final 50-lap Casey’s General Store GAS/CRA Challenge race.

The first two 50-lappers will be regular season point races for the GAS and CRA teams.

“Drivers in both of these divisions have shown their tremendous skill on some of the most demanding tracks throughout the Midwest and South,” said Deaton. “The competition level includes drivers that have competed in the upper levels of NASCAR, as well as with ARCA and various late model series.”

Heading the list of expected entries is Chuck Barnes Jr. of Louisville, who is coming off a recent victory at the U.S. Short Track Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway, and Blake Hillard of Owensboro, Ky., who is the defending GAS/CRA Challenge race winner.

Other top drivers expected include Todd Kempf, Will Kimmel, Bret Hudson, Brian Bayer, Chuck Barnes Sr., Tony Conway, David Bayens, JJ Schafer, Kyle Hadley, Jason Atkinson, Phil Jenkins, Tim Rivers, Skeeter Crum, James Kirby III and others.

The afternoon of racing action also includes the Salem Front Wheel Drive Stocks.

An open practice session for the CRA Street Stocks and Great American Stocks is set to take place on Saturday, June 2nd from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Spectators are invited to view practice from the grandstand area at no admission charge.

Spectator gates open on Sunday (June 3) and practice begins at 10:30 a.m., with qualifications at 12:15 p.m. and the first race rolling off at 1:30 p.m. (EDT).

Tickets, both reserved and general admission, are currently selling for the Casey’s General Store GAS/CRA Challenge and can be purchased on-line at www.salemspeedway.com or by calling 812-883-6504 or 1-888-246-7223.

In celebration of Sunday’s Casey’s General Store GAS/CRA Challenge at Salem Speedway, Casey’s General Store on Highway 56 in Salem is kicking-off the event with a mini Race Fest on Saturday morning, June 2nd from 10 a.m. to 12-noon.

Stop by and check out the race car displays, plus register to win tickets to Sunday’s race.

The #46 Eddie Gilstrap Motors/Stewart Automotive Chevy, driven by Tim Rivers, and the #51 Nelson Asphalt Sealcoating/MJ Auto Monte Carlo, driven by Baden Stewart, will be on display.