USAC: 16th Street Speedway Operations Suspended
6 November 1999
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
The 16th Street Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., which hosted USAC
National
and "regional" Midget competition for the past three seasons, is
suspending
operations, according to track co-owner Jim Voyles.
"We are not renewing our lease with the city," said Voyles. "We will, however, be happy to propose to the city any interested parties or concerns wishing to explore avenues to re-activate operations of the 1/4-mile dirt race track."
Ron Smoker of Hamburg, N.Y. captured the 1999 USAC 16th Street Speedway Midget Championship. Steve Knepper of Belleville, Ill. and Michael Lang of Indianapolis were the respective 1997 and 1998 series champions.
The track, located inside the former Bush Stadium, home for years of the Indianapolis Indians minor-league baseball franchise, hosted the largest event in the history of Midget Auto Racing with this year's $140,000 "Summer Sizzle '99." The event, which attracted nearly 100 cars and drivers from all over the nation, featured a continuation of the incredible racing action for which the track had become noted.
A total of 48 USAC Midget races were held at the track since 1997, with 18 different drivers finding victory lane. Steve Knepper won 10 races, while other winners included Indy Racing League star Billy Boat and IRL Champion and NASCAR standout Tony Stewart.
--USAC--
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.