500 Sprint Car Tour Returns to Salem for 67th Running of Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial
500 Sprint Car Tour Returns to Salem for 67th Running of Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial
The yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour returns to one of the most historic venues on its schedule this Saturday, August 15, as the series heads to The Salem Speedway Motorplex Powered by the John Jones Auto Group Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery for the third consecutive year.
The occasion is one of the most significant events on the Salem Speedway calendar, as the 500 Sprint Car Tour will headline the 67th Running of the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial.
Few races on the schedule carry the combination of history and prestige that comes with the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial. Dating back more than six decades, the event has become a fixture at Salem and a showcase for some of the best open-wheel drivers to compete on the famed high banks.
And this year's event will feature the driver who has made the Memorial his own in recent years.
Kody Swanson, the four-time and defending champion of the prestigious Little 500 at Anderson Speedway, returns to Salem with a remarkable history at the high banks. Swanson has won the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial five times, more than any other driver in the history of the event.
The Kingsburg, California, native's five victories came consecutively from 2016 through 2020, establishing a record that still stands today. Swanson's dominance at Salem has made him one of the most successful drivers ever to compete at the historic facility, and he will once again pilot the No. 33 NB Bohanon Versa Lift Rentals entry for Nick Bohanon.
Swanson's return is particularly noteworthy as the 500 Sprint Car Tour makes its third consecutive trip to Salem. With a chance to add a sixth Joe James/Pat O'Connor Memorial victory to his record, the defending Little 500 champion will be one of the drivers to beat when the field takes the green for Saturday night's 50-lap feature.
A Salem Tradition
The Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial is named in honor of two accomplished racers whose names remain closely tied to the history of Salem Speedway and American open-wheel racing.
Over the decades, the Memorial has attracted some of the sport's biggest names, becoming a race where winning carries significance far beyond the number of laps completed. The event's long history has helped make it one of the marquee races at Salem and an important part of the 500 Sprint Car Tour's visit to the historic facility.
That history is amplified by the venue itself.
Salem Speedway has long been known for its steeply banked corners and high-speed racing. The track's unique configuration creates a demanding challenge for drivers, requiring confidence, precision and the ability to maintain momentum around the high banks.
For non-wing sprint cars, that challenge is magnified. With no wings to provide additional aerodynamic grip, drivers must rely on mechanical grip, throttle control and car balance to navigate the demanding Salem surface. The result is the kind of racing that has made the track a favorite among drivers and fans for generations.
A Strong Field Returns to Salem
While Swanson enters the weekend with the strongest Salem resume in the field, he will face a talented group of drivers looking to knock the five-time Memorial winner from the top step of the podium.
The current entry list includes Colin Grissom, Cord Ehrhart, Donnie Adams Jr., Olivia Shelbo, Jackson Macenko, Tim Creech, Nathan Byrd, Rob Keesling, Tony McVey, Justin Harper, Rylan Gray, Tony Main, and Brady Allum.
Among the notable entries is Nathan Byrd, who will pilot the No. 40 yourBIGplans.com entry for Meyer Auto Research, and Jackson Macenko, the Tour’s most recent winner at Winchester Speedway. Macenko will pilot the #24 machine for Brad Hayes Racing as he looks to become the first repeat winner of 2026. Other notable entries such as Colin Grissom, Cord Ehrhart, Donnie Adams Jr, Tim Creech, and Brady Allum will look to capitalize on the track’s unpredictability and challenge the established stars of Salem’s high banks.
With the defending race winner, Dakoda Armstrong, unable to compete this year, the Joe James/Pat O'Connor Memorial will have a new winner in 2026. That opens the door for Swanson to add another trophy to his record collection—or for one of the talented drivers in the field to establish himself as the newest name on the Memorial's prestigious list of winners.
Race Info
The 67th Running of the Joe James/Pat O'Connor Memorial is set for Saturday, August 15 at The Salem Speedway Motorplex Powered by the John Jones Auto Group Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery. Pit gates will open at 12:00 p.m., with spectator gates and hot laps beginning at 3:00 p.m. Racing is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.
The night's racing program will feature Kenyon Midget heat races, Midwest Vintage Racecar Club laps, a 25-lap Kenyon Midget feature and a 40-lap Modifieds Big Track feature, before the 500 Sprint Car Tour takes center stage. The 500 Sprint Car Tour field will line up on the front stretch for an autograph session followed by driver introductions before taking the green flag for the 50-lap Joe James/Pat O'Connor Memorial.
Fans can purchase tickets and find additional event information by clicking HERE.
