Top Storylines Heading into Halloween Fest
Top Storylines Heading into Halloween Fest
The 2025 500 Sprint Car Tour season is set to come to a close this Saturday. October 25th at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The Halloween Fest event will be the fourth consecutive year of the famed Brownsburg, Indiana track hosting the final 500 Sprint Car Tour event of the season.
The Championship Battle is set to be decided:
The 500 Sprint Car Tour enters the weekend with three drivers firmly in the Championship hunt. Dakoda Armstrong has held the championship lead for most of the season, and maintains a 36 point lead over Kody Swanson. Swanson, who is a two-time and defending champion of the series, will be looking for a perfect day at a familiar track to earn his third 500 Sprint Car Tour Championship. Tyler Roahrig currently sits in third place, just 92 points behind the leader.
Roahrig is the 2023 series champion, and is the series’ all time wins leader. He will need a lot of help, and a perfect day on his end, to win his second championship. All the while, Armstrong will be looking for his first championship after being in the mix in year’s past. Although he does not need a perfect day to maintain his lead, he will need to limit mistakes and have a clean showing at a track he has performed well at in the past.
MIchael Lewis Returns to Sprint Cars:
A familiar name is set to return to open-wheel action this weekend, as Michael Lewis climbs back behind the wheel of a sprint car for the first time in nearly two decades. The Noblesville, Indiana native will pilot the prestigious Klatt Enterprises No. 5 during the 500 Sprint Car Tour season finale at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on Saturday, October 25 — part of the track’s annual Halloween Fest celebration.
Lewis is no stranger to the fast, demanding pavement of IRP. His most recent sprint car appearances at the track came in the early 2000s, where he earned finishes of 7th (2003), 21st (2004), and 6th (2005). Known for his smooth, calculated driving style and technical expertise, Lewis has built a strong reputation across multiple forms of racing, including midgets and sports cars. Now, nearly 20 years after his last sprint car start, he returns with one of the most respected teams in open-wheel racing. The Klatt Enterprises No. 5 has been a fixture in premier sprint and midget events across the country, fielding top-tier talent and championship-caliber equipment.
Michael Lewis in an All Star Midget at IRP waiting for practice to begin - Max Orsini
Fans will get the rare opportunity to see Lewis return to his roots as he takes on a deep 500 Sprint Car Tour field under the lights at IRP. With experience, determination, and a proven team behind him, Lewis’s comeback adds another exciting storyline to an already action-packed season finale.
Indy Hood Rats Bring Car Show and Trunk-or-Treat Fun to Halloween Fest at IRP
Halloween Fest at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park isn’t just about high-speed racing — it’s also about family, fun, and community. This Saturday, October 25, the Indy Hood Rats are set to bring their signature style to the track with a one-of-a-kind Car Show and Trunk-or-Treat event!
Known for their passion for classic rides, custom builds, and community outreach, the Indy Hood Rats have become a staple of central Indiana’s car culture. Their events combine the love of cars with family-friendly fun — and Halloween Fest is the perfect place to do it.
The 2024 Indy Hood Rat Car Show at IRP - Indy Hood Rat Photo
Spectators can expect to see a wide variety of vehicles on display, from vintage cruisers and lowriders to muscle cars and modern classics. But it’s not just about chrome and horsepower — kids (and kids at heart) can enjoy Trunk-or-Treating among the decorated cars, collecting candy and taking part in Halloween festivities throughout the day.
The car show adds a new dimension to an already action-packed event that also features the 500 Sprint Car Tour season finale, giving fans the perfect blend of motorsports excitement and family entertainment.
Whether you’re a die-hard racing fan, a car enthusiast, or just looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween weekend, the Indy Hood Rats Car Show and Trunk-or-Treat at IRP is the place to be. For more information on the car show/trunk or treat: Click Here
Cold Weather:
After a summer marked by sweltering heat and an unusually warm start to fall, Indiana’s weather is finally shifting—and it’s arriving just in time for Saturday night’s showdown at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. As the 500 Sprint Car Tour returns to one of the most iconic short tracks in the country, fans and teams will be greeted by a noticeable chill in the air. With high temperatures struggling to climb out of the mid-50s and evening lows dipping into the 40s, it’s a stark contrast to the hot, sun-baked nights that defined much of the 2025 season.
The cooler temperatures may catch a few off guard, but for many, it signals the arrival of true fall racing. Jackets and hoodies will replace t-shirts in the grandstands. For teams, the colder conditions could present new challenges—from tire management to engine tuning—but the level of competition promises to remain red-hot. With the championship picture still sharp in focus, every lap around IRP will count.
There’s something special about racing with a chill in the air—it sharpens the senses, raises the stakes, and reminds us that another season is nearing its close. Bundle up, race fans—this Saturday promises a thrilling night of sprint car racing, with just a hint of winter whispering in the wind.
Northeast Drivers Invade Indiana:
The Northeast is rolling into Indiana in full force this weekend, as a talented group of open-wheel stars — Jake Trainor, Anthony Nocella, Chase Locke, and now Indiana resident Bobby Santos — are set to battle the Hoosier State’s best during Halloween Fest at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park!
Leading the charge is Jake Trainor, one of New England’s brightest young stars. The 20-year-old from Medway, Massachusetts, has made a name for himself with two wins in the Unified Group Services Little 500. Trainor combines precision and poise beyond his years, making him a serious threat anytime he straps into a car at IRP.
Veteran standout Anthony Nocella, hailing from Woburn, Massachusetts, brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the lineup. A proven winner in both pavement and dirt competition, Nocella’s résumé includes triumphs in the Tri-Track Modified Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and multiple open-wheel events across the country. Known for his smooth driving style and late-race savvy, Nocella is always one to watch when the laps wind down.
They’ll be joined by Chase Locke, another rising talent from the Northeast, and Bobby Santos, the accomplished racer who now calls Indiana home — and has a long history of success at IRP.
With championship implications, out-of-region bragging rights, and Halloween fun all on the line, Saturday night promises a spectacular season finale filled with speed, skill, and spooky excitement!
Can Tyler Roahrig be Knocked Off:
When it comes to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and the 500 Sprint Car Tour, one name has become synonymous with dominance: Tyler Roahrig. Of the five races contested at IRP since the tour's inception, Roahrig has claimed an astonishing four victories, including all three season-ending finales. No matter the conditions, competition, or circumstances, Roahrig seems to rise to another level when the tour rolls into Brownsburg.
Tyler Roahrig in victory lane after winning the 2024 race at Indianapolis Raceway Park - Rick Kimball Photo
It’s not just that he wins—it's how he wins. Calm, calculated, and ruthless in traffic, Roahrig has mastered the art of timing and tire management on IRP’s sweeping pavement. When others fade, he seems to find another gear. His ability to close races under pressure has become his trademark—and a thorn in the side of any competitor hoping to challenge for a win on the tour’s biggest stage.
But as we head into another season finale this Saturday night, the question looms: Can anyone beat him?
The field is stacked. The stakes are high. The weather is turning cold. And with more data, better-prepared teams, and a hungry roster of challengers, Roahrig will have no shortage of pressure from the drop of the green. Still, until someone knocks him off the IRP throne, the road to victory—and the season’s final statement—goes through Tyler Roahrig.
Will this be the night the streak ends? Or will he once again remind us why he’s the undisputed king of IRP? We’re about to find out.
Nathan Byrd Pulls Triple Duty at IRP — From Setback to Spotlight
This Saturday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Nathan Byrd is taking on one of the most ambitious challenges of the night—competing in all three divisions: the 500 Sprint Car Tour, the National Pavement Midget Series, and the All Star Pavement Midgets. While most drivers will focus on one machine, Byrd—known to many as “Byrdman”—will bounce between three, in what amounts to a true Ironman performance. But this isn’t just about versatility. For Byrd, it’s personal.
Nathan Byrd preparing to get in his sprint car - Jack Kessler Photo
A few years ago, Byrd suffered a significant setback during a testing accident at IRP, one that could have shaken his confidence on this demanding track. But instead of stepping back, he doubled down—and the results speak volumes. This past August, Byrd pulled off one of the most memorable wins of his career, claiming victory in the National Pavement Midget Series race at IRP. And he didn’t just win—he beat Hall of Famer Kody Swanson in a head-to-head battle that announced loud and clear: Nathan Byrd has arrived.
Now, he returns to IRP not just as a competitor, but as a contender—racing three times in one night with the same determination that brought him from crash to checkers. From adversity to achievement, Byrd’s journey is one of grit, growth, and guts. And this Saturday, he’s out to prove that the Byrdman can soar in any car, on any stage.
Event Info
Halloween Fest at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is set for Saturday, October 25th at 4:00pm. The 500 Sprint Car Tour will be joined by the National Pavement Midget Championship and the All-Star Pavement Midgets. Tickets for the event will be $25 for adults, while kids aged 12 and under will receive free admission. Pit gates will open at 8:00am and spectator gates will open at 11:00am. Practice begins at 11:30am, qualifying will start at 2:05pm, and racing will begin around 4:00pm following opening ceremonies at 3:45pm. There will also be an Optional Practice day on Friday, October 24th. Pit gates will open at 12:00pm with two 500 Sprint Car Tour sessions from 2:00pm - 2:30pm and 3:55pm - 4:25pm respectively. Fans that are unable to attend can see all of the action live on DIRTVision.For more information, or to purchase tickets ahead of time, click HERE.
