500 Sprint Car Tour Confidential: Drivers Answer 6 Hardpressed Questions
On yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour Media Day, 19 drivers were asked some hardpressed survey of six questions. Some drivers selected more than one answer and some others had some interesting responses.
1. Which venue are you looking forward to the most?
Indianapolis Raceway Park (5)
Anderson Speedway (4)
Jennerstown Speedway (4)
Winchester Speedway (4)
Owosso Speedway (2)
Salem Speedway (1)
A lot of the teams are based in central Indiana and have grown up around Anderson, Winchester, and Indianapolis Raceway Park. Winchester and IRP were mainstays on the USAC pavement sprint car schedule back in the day. The yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour will be racing at Jennerstown Speedway for the first time in 2026.
2. Favorite Concession stand snack?
Nachos (5)
Popcorn (4)
Pretzel (4)
Burger (3)
Other: Tyler Roahrig Tenderloin or Egg Rolls (That is a strange combination….. Is this his speed secret?)
Colin Grissom: Cheese Fries
Olivia Shelbo: Fried Oreos
Colin Grissom grew up at Anderson Speedway. So he has had a steady diet of steak fries & cheese since he was a child.
Note: One of the options on the survey was an elephant ear. Jackson Macenko has never had an elephant ear. Tour officials had to explain what it was. We are all very concerned for his well being.
3. Which series' driver do you trust most when racing side-by-side?
Bobby Santos III (10)
Kody Swanson (6)
Tyler Roahrig (5)
Dakoda Armstrong (4)
Kyle O’Gara (4)
Nathan Byrd (1)
Derek Bischak (1)
Taylor Ferns (1)
Travis Welpott (1)
We discussed this with Bobby Santos III after the survey was tallied. He gave a lot of credit to his father Bob, who instilled in him how to race from a young age. He takes as much pride in winning as he does racing other drivers with respect on the track.
Kody Swanson and Bobby Santos III running side by side at Winchester Speedway - Jack Kessler Photo
4. Which driver, upon passing them, gives you a feeling of accomplishment?
Kody Swanson (14)
Bobby Santos III (5)
Tyler Roahrig(4)
Donnie Adams Jr. (1)
Dakoda Armstrong (1)
Mario Clouser (1)
Kyle O’Gara (1)
This wasn't a big surprise to us. Kody’s accomplishments speak for themselves and a lot of the other drivers respect him.
Rookie Olivia Shelbo answered, candidly, that she would be happy to pass any driver in the field. She will be one to watch this season.
Kody Swanson in victory lane after winning the 2018 Little 500 at Anderson Speedway
5. Who’s the most underrated driver in this field?
Jackson Macenko(4)
Kyle O’Gara (4)
Derek Bischak (3)
Donnie Adams Jr. (2)
Kody Swanson (2)
Brady Allum (1)
Mario Clouser (1)
Taylor Ferns (1)
Justin Harper (1)
Jackson Macenko being atop the list was not shocking to us, as the young competitor has quickly earned the respect of his fellow racers. He has become a contender night in and night out with competitive, clean racing. Kyle O’Gara, however, was an interesting choice given his proven ability to show speed and to win races. O’Gara has been a factor in the championship for multiple years and will look to be involved in the conversation in 2026.
Bischak has shown signs of strength qualifying 4th for the 2021 Little 500 and has numerous Top 10’s to his credit.
6. What is your pre-race hype music?
Nothing (5)
Country (4)
Rap (4)
Alt. Rock (2)
Classic Rock (2)
Pop/hip-hop (1)
Other: Brady Allum said “The sound of racecars”.
Donnie Adams Jr. listening to rap….. We may have to take a deep dive into that response. We had figured he would answer classic rock or maybe country.
Travis Welpott listening to Classic Rock….. Now that makes sense.
As the season goes on, we will inquire more on the specific artist the drivers like.
The 2026 season kicks off at Anderson Speedway on Saturday, April 18 for the 26th Glen Niebel Classic presented by CB Fabricating. Racing begins at 6:00pm and tickets can be purchased by clicking here. All 2026 yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour Races can be watched Live on Racing America.
