Milwaukee Mile USAC National Midget race - Toyota Expands Involvement
TOYOTA USAC Midget Classic 25 first of four open wheel races July 21-23 weekend MILWAUKEE, Wis. (July 18, 2006) - The USAC National Midget Racing Series returns to The Milwaukee Mile this Saturday, July 22nd in what will be the United States Auto Club's 177th sanctioned event held at America's Legendary Oval, dating back to the sanctioning body's formation in 1956. The Milwaukee Mile is also pleased to announce that Toyota has increased their participation with the historic speedway to serve as the title sponsor for the 25-mile USAC National Midget Series event, the TOYOTA USAC Midget Classic 25, which is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. CST green flag Saturday afternoon, July 22nd. "Toyota is proud to serve as the title sponsor for the TOYOTA USAC Midget Classic 25 at one of the most historic tracks in America," said Paul Holdridge, Toyota general manager, Chicago Region. "This is another example of our commitment and dedication to motorsports at all levels, and moving forward, we will continue to look for ways to maximize our involvement and support." "We are energized by Toyota's continued commitment to The Milwaukee Mile, and we are grateful for their participation with the TOYOTA USAC Midget Classic 25 being one of the four featured open wheel events we have planned for our fans this weekend," commented Andy Randall, Milwaukee Mile president & CEO. Toyota, the official vehicle of The Milwaukee Mile since the 2005 campaign, has also sponsored The Mile's annual NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event the last two seasons. "We are excited to join The Milwaukee Mile in showcasing Toyota's increasing involvement in USAC National Midget Racing Series and in NASCAR - through the participation of our Metro Milwaukee Toyota Dealers - at one of the most storied speedways in the world," said Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager. The Saturday, July 22nd TOYOTA USAC Midget Classic 25 at The Milwaukee Mile will be the second leg of the "Toyota Challenge," a three race "championship within a championship" that will pay out a $25,000 prize fund to the top five car entrants based on USAC National Midget Racing Series entrant points for the three races. Included in the prize fund will be a $15,000 award to the Toyota Challenge Champion. Also included in the "Toyota Challenge" were the Toyota USAC Racing Classic held July 1st at the O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis, and the upcoming USAC scheduled event in Terre Haute, Ind. September 9. "The fact that two very different paved tracks and a very challenging dirt track make up the Toyota Challenge virtually insures that the champion will be an all-around standout among the competing entrants," stated Gary Reed, vice president, Special Racing Projects at TRD, U.S.A. The TOYOTA USAC Midget Classic 25 will be one of four exciting open wheel events held at The Milwaukee Mile July 21 - 23 sanctioned by USAC and the Indy Racing League (IRL). The talented drivers in the IRL Indy Pro Series - a top-level open wheel development series - will be competing on Saturday July 22, following the TOYOTA USAC Midget Classic 25. The first 100-mile feature event at The Mile for the newly-configured USAC Silver Crown Series will commence Sunday July 23 at 10:45 a.m. CST. The exciting open wheel weekend concludes Sunday July 23rd with the stars of the Indy 500 competing in the ABC Supply / A.J. Foyt 225 IRL IndyCar Series race, set for a 12:45 p.m. CST green flag. For weekend ticket information for the Friday July 21 practice and USAC Midget qualifying day, through Sunday's IRL IndyCar Series finale, call (414) 453-8277 or visit the newly-designed Milwaukee Mile website at www.milwaukeemile.com <http://www.milwaukeemile.com/> .