KISS Racers Anxious to Test Kokomo Makeover

June 13, 2005 -- The quest for the 2005 King of Indiana Sprint Series champion continues this Sunday at Kokomo Speedway. While the Kokomo oval has always held the reputation of a very racy facility, an 8-month construction project has delivered a total makeover. The track’s surface has been significantly reworked and surrounded with new walls and fencing (see extensive photos at www.kokomospeedway.net). All reports indicate that Sunday is going to be a great night of racing.

While the box score shows that Dave Darland and Brandon Petty have already captured their first KISS series victories, the final three races will determine who will next gain the king’s throne. Darland holds the slimmest of point leads, 242 241 over Dickie Gaines and a bunch of veteran sprint car racers are on their heels, including A. J. Anderson, Matt Westfall, Justin Marvel, Kent Christian and Jon Stanbrough. However, given the point structure and unique KISS race format, anyone can still win the title. To see someone with the potential for a strong race at Kokomo and the ability to carry that momentum to the KISS crown you don’t have to look any further than 19th in the points. Shane Cottle is not only Kokomo’s defending sprint car champion, he also won this year’s opener on May 29th. And Cottle’s victory in last year’s KISS race at the Terre Haute Action Track, site of the series finale, can’t be overlooked. Updated information about the KISS series is available at www.kissracing.com.

Kokomo Speedway officials have named Sunday’s KISS race the “Bob Darland Memorial” in the memory of a great friend of racing. The pit gate will open at 3:30, the main gate at 4:00 and racing at 6:15. The posted program includes UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks and Thunder Cars.

SCHEDULE. The KISS racers begin the final leg with a big show at Paragon Speedway on June 25, a Saturday. The grand finale will headline the Independence Day program at the Terre Haute Action Track and crown the 2005 King of Indiana Sprints, on Saturday, July 2.

THE PURSE. There’s $2,500 to win at stake when they push off for the main event at each track. As in previous seasons, the teams will forgo qualifying and draw for heat race starting spots. This year drama will be added as the top two finishers in each heat will re-draw for feature starting spots. Each feature pays a minimum of $250 to start, while B-Main competitors will take home $50.

POINT FUND. This year’s point fund will pay $1,400 to the King Of Indiana Sprint Series champion following the July 2nd Terre Haute Action Track finale. The point fund pays the top five in the standings, with second place receiving $1000, while third receives $700, fourth $600 and fifth $500.

MORE INFORMATION. For more information, contact the individual tracks or visit their websites. Bloomington Speedway - www.bloomingtonspeedway.com Lincoln Park Speedway - http://lincolnparkspeedway.homestead.com/ Lawrenceburg Speedway http://home.fuse.net/kewendel/ Kokomo Speedway - www.kokomospeedway.net Paragon Speedway http://www.paragonspeedway.com Terre Haute Action Track - http://www.terrehauteactiontrack.com

SPONSORS. Elliottbrand Web Designs, in Westport, IN, created the KISS website, which provides a highly functional and effective tool that places the King Of Indiana Sprint Series within arms length of racing fans around town and around the world. Visit them at www.Elliottbrand.com.

Kiva Networking, based in Bloomington, offers a full range of information technology services, from residential and business internet access and domain hosting to hardware and technical assistance for local and wide area networks. Visit them at www.kiva.net.

The King of Indiana Sprint Series is organized and conducted by the individual Indiana sprint car race track promoters to put the best racing in the state on a heavy metal wheel-to-wheel tour. Information is now available on our website, www.kissracing.com.

2005 King Of Indiana Sprint Series Schedule Gas City I-69Speedway Friday, May 13 RAINED OUT Bloomington Speedway Friday, May 20 RAINED OUT Lincoln Park Speedway Saturday, May 21 Dave Darland Lawrenceburg Speedway Saturday, May 28 Brandon Petty Kokomo Speedway Sunday, June 19 Paragon Speedway Saturday, June 25 Terre Haute Action Track Saturday, July 2