Published: June 13, 2009 12:08 am         

Don Smith Classic, two other features at Action Track tonight

TERRE HAUTE — Robert Ballou took home the first checkered flag under the Terre Haute Action Track’s renaissance under new ownership last spring.

Ballou will try to defend his Don Smith Classic victory today in the 20-year-old California native’s fourth trip to Terre Haute’s 1⁄2-mile dirt oval.

“I’ve run a couple of USAC cards,” Ballou said. “I only got three laps in this year [in the Tony Hulman Classic] and broke a motor. I probably could’ve ran well. One of these days, I’ll get me one of those darn guns [referring to the prize of a Winchester rifle].”

In last year’s Don Smith Classic that opened the Midwest Sprint Car Series schedule, Jesse Hockett and Ballou battled back and forth in the final laps for last year’s $3,000 prize, making for entertaining racing.

“I seem to do a lot better on the big race tracks because I keep the car straighter and the speed doesn’t bother me,” Ballou said. “Terre Haute and Lawrenceburg (Ill.) are the only two you can actually race on. You’re not bumping and dinging like you do on the little quarter miles around here.”

Ballou, funded by Terre Haute native Jim Plew and Dallas Mulbaney, will have plenty of challengers in one of three features to be contested tonight.

The 2008 points champion, Kyle Cummins, has already taken home one checkered flag through four of the series’ 16 races. He leads the points standings with Nic Faas, Hud Cone, 2008 Rookie of the Year Ricky Williams and Terre Haute’s Brandon Mattox not far behind.

Two other features, the brand-new SCORA Sprint Cars and the Indiana Late Models, will take place at the track.

“With infield tickets starting at just ten dollars, bleacher seats at $15 and free ticket coupons available for kids 12 and under for bleacher and grandstand seats, I’m not sure you’re going to find a better bang for your racing buck at any track,” said Mike King of Action Promotions.

Fans can get coupons for free kids tickets (12 and under) for grandstand and bleacher seating at First Financial Bank locations, online at mywabashvalley.com, or just present your Kroger Plus card at the Action Track ticket office at time of purchase. Adult purchase is required to receive free kids tickets. The popular Infield Family Pass will also be available, as two adults and up to 4 children 12 and under can get into the infield for just $25.

Fan gates will open at 4 p.m., and the racing action will be virtually non-stop, with the first Midwest Sprint Car Series hot lap session set to begin just after 4 p.m.

Fans will also enjoy the music of a popular Wabash Valley group during the first “HI-99 Sundown Concert Series” event. The Midwest Playboys will play live as the action takes a break from 8:30 until approximately 9:15 for the sun to set. The setting sun presents a huge vision problem for drivers trying to set-up for turn 3, and rather than risk tearing up race cars Action Promotions, in cooperation with the participating series, have planned downtime for the sunset period.