DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 2, 2008) – Although it might seem odd that a racetrack located in Indiana could be a draw in Chicago, but that is exactly what Illiana Speedway has been doing for 61 years. In fact, the Schererville, Ind., short track draws fans and competitors from all across the upper Midwest area.



“We have people that come to the races from the lakefront all the way through Indianapolis and Illinois. In fact, we even have some people from Michigan,” confirmed Mike Mikuly, owner/promoter of the racetrack for the past decade. “We really draw from all over, but a lot do come from the Chicago area.”



As Illiana Speedway prepares for their “second” opening night this Saturday (the first was postponed by weather), fans will notice several improvements to the facility this season, including an updated Midway and aluminum seating.



“We finally got rid of all those old wooden bleachers and replaced them with aluminum grandstands. I’m sure that the fans are going to welcome these since they now can sit without worrying about getting splinters,” Mikuly joked. He added that the track now has seats for 7,000 fans.



“The new grandstands are also ADA-friendly so our fans in wheelchairs can have access at the start/finish line. Before, they had to go and sit all the way down into the turn where the ramp was and that certainly wasn’t the best way to accommodate these patrons. They should certainly be able to enjoy the racing action better with the great sightlines on the front stretch.”



Illiana Speedway is really two tracks in one; a half-mile paved oval encompasses a smaller quarter-mile and Figure 8 circuit. Fans coming into the Saturday night events will see action on both as the five weekly divisions battle for the championship.



The half-mile will feature the Super Late Models and the Schepel Performance Limited Late Models, which use a number of spec components and crate engines in an effort to remain an economical Late Model alternative. On the quarter-mile oval, the action will be in the Turbo Stox, Pure Stock, and Legend and Bandoleros which are new to Illiana Speedway in 2008.



“We decided to make a change and drop the Mid American class this year as the car count had really dwindled and bring in the Legend cars and the Bandoleros. This was really done so that we could have a path for the kids in the area to get into racing. Once they get involved in the sport, then they become just as excited about it as we are. And, of course, it is so critical that we continue to breed some drivers and we think that the Legends and Bandoleros are going to be a great way for the next generation to begin their racing career,” explained Mikuly.



The season begins this Saturday and runs through October 25. The HOSS Winged Sprints will make a visit on Saturday, August 2 and a pair of special “Crash Fest” events featuring Figure 8 School Bus and trailer races are planned for July 26 and September 27. Complete details on all the races can be found online at www.IllianaSpeedway.com.



Also new for 2008 is the Level II membership in the American Speed Association Member Track program. Mikuly said that he expects that his racetrack and the competitors will see a number of benefits from the partnership.



“I guess that part of the reason we joined the ASA Member Track program was simply a matter of moving up with the times. But the ASA really has a lot to offer. The ASA name is really getting back out there like it used to be, and Dennis (Huth) is doing a great job of taking the ASA forward. People are hearing more about it and it’s making them curious. They want to find out what it is all about,” Mikuly said.



“The insurance package that comes with the ASA Member Track program is a real plus too. It will really help those guys in the pits - not that we ever hope that anyone will need it though.”



ASA members in good standing are eligible for a $500,000 Excess Medical Benefit as well as a $20,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit. Coverage for the member begins while traveling to a location promoting an ASA-sanctioned event and continues until arrival home again. The American Speed Association is the only sanctioning body to offer insurance coverage which extends beyond the boundary of the racetrack itself (complete details are available online at www.ASA-Racing.com).



“Mike and I have been talking for quite a long time about the ASA Member Track program and I’m thrilled that he is bringing Illiana Speedway into the family,” said Dennis Huth, president of Racing Speed Associates which owns the American Speed Association. “After six decades Illiana Speedway is still bringing in crowds and the fact that they can draw from Chicago to Indianapolis is simply amazing. That goes to show the quality of the racing program and the way that Mike treats the competitors. I’m looking forward to visiting Illiana Speedway this weekend for opening night and personally welcoming the fans and competitors into the American Speed Association.”



To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Fla.-based ASA Racing Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from all the racetracks and regional tours involved in the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com.





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