Immortality Awaits: Previewing the 78th Annual Little 500
Immortality Awaits: Previewing the 78th Annual Little 500
There is nothing quite like Little 500 week at Anderson Speedway.
For nearly eight decades, the Little 500 has stood as the ultimate test in pavement sprint car racing. 500 grueling laps around Anderson Speedway’s quarter-mile oval where patience, strategy, durability, and speed all collide under the lights. It is the biggest pavement sprint car race on the planet, and on Saturday night, one driver will add their name to one of short-track racing’s most prestigious winner’s lists.
The 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by Ed Martin Automotive Group once again features a stacked field filled with former winners, national champions, local heroes, seasoned veterans, and hungry newcomers, all chasing the same goal: immortality.
Here are the biggest storylines heading into Little 500 week:
Four Former Winners Return
Winning the Little 500 once cements a driver’s legacy. Winning it twice puts them among the race’s all-time greats.
This year’s field includes four former champions, led by Jake Trainor (Medway, Massachusetts), who enters as the defending winner and newest two-time champion. Trainor’s victory last year further established him as one of pavement sprint car racing’s premier talents, and another win would place him in rare company.
Jake Trainor in Victory Lane after winning the 2025 Little 500 (Jack Kessler Photo)
Joining him is fellow two-time winner Tyler Roahrig (Plymouth, Indiana), whose consistency at Anderson Speedway makes him one of the favorites every time he unloads. Roahrig’s ability to survive the race’s constantly changing conditions makes him a major threat deep into the 500-lap grind.
Bobby Santos III (Franklin, Massachusetts), one of the most decorated pavement racers of his generation, returns looking to capture his second Little 500 victory. Few drivers are better at managing long races while preserving equipment.
The benchmark among active competitors remains Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, California), whose three Little 500 victories have solidified his status as one of the event’s modern legends. Any former winner in this race immediately becomes a contender the moment practice begins.
Dakoda Armstrong Chasing Redemption
Few drivers have come closer to winning the Little 500 without officially earning the victory than Dakoda Armstrong (New Castle, Indiana).
Two years ago, he appeared destined for victory until cousin Caleb Armstrong made one of the most dramatic last-corner passes in event history to steal the win.
Dakoda Armstrong in line for practice for the 2025 Little 500 at Anderson Speedway. (Jack Kessler Photo)
Last year was even more heartbreaking. Armstrong crossed the finish line first after 500 laps, seemingly earning the biggest win of his career, only to be disqualified following post-race technical inspection.
The disappointment fueled Armstrong throughout the 2025 season, where he captured the 500 yourBigplans.com Sprint Car Tour championship.
Now, he returns to Anderson Speedway carrying both momentum and unfinished business. If redemption stories define motorsports, Armstrong may be writing one of the best.
Ryan Newman Returns for Another Shot
When Ryan Newman joined the Little 500 field in 2023, he brought national attention to Anderson Speedway.
The 2008 Daytona 500 champion and longtime NASCAR star has embraced the challenge of adapting to pavement sprint car racing’s unique demands. Through three starts, Newman has improved each year, with a career-best sixth-place finish.
What makes Newman dangerous is his ability to learn quickly and conserve equipment over long-distance races. Few drivers in the field possess his level of race management experience.
With another year of seat time and growing confidence, Newman enters his fourth Little 500 appearance as a legitimate contender.
The Return of the Randy Neal No. 7
Few numbers carry as much recent Little 500 significance as the Randy Neal-owned No. 7.
The car captured the 2024 Little 500 with Caleb Armstrong and played a critical role in Dakoda Armstrong’s 2025 500 Sprint Car Tour championship run.
After sitting out last year’s Little 500, the No. 7 returns with a new driver and high expectations.
Behind the wheel is Justin Grant, the all-time winningest driver in USAC National Sprint Car history. Grant has built a reputation as one of open-wheel racing’s most complete drivers, capable of winning on dirt or pavement against elite competition.
Saturday marks his fifth Little 500 attempt and perhaps his best opportunity yet.
AP Driver Development Expands
The familiar Aaron Pierce-led No. 26 has become one of pavement sprint car racing’s most respected programs, and this year AP Driver Development arrives with two serious entries.
Colton Bettis returns after a breakout Little 500 debut in 2025 that saw the Florida teenager qualify on the front row and showcase remarkable poise against veterans.
Bettis now returns with experience and confidence, making him one of the field’s most intriguing young threats.
Colton Bettis (Left) and Josh Poore (Right) will be teammates for the Little 500.
Alongside him is Anderson Speedway legend Josh Poore, who will make his long-awaited Little 500 debut.
Poore’s seven Anderson Speedway track championships make him one of the most accomplished local racers in track history, but the Little 500 presents an entirely different challenge.
No driver knows Anderson’s surface better. If he adapts quickly to sprint car strategy and endurance pacing, he could become one of the biggest surprise stories of the week.
Rookie Class Ready for the Spotlight
The Little 500 often humbles even the most accomplished drivers, making this year’s rookie class especially compelling.
Mario Clouser brings extensive dirt and pavement open-wheel experience and enters with expectations far beyond a typical first-timer. His adaptability could make him the most dangerous rookie in the field.
Chris Schmelzle travels from Washington state to make his first appearance, adding a national flavor to this year’s event.
Ohio’s Cord Erhardt also enters eager to prove himself on one of pavement racing’s biggest stages.
Local racer Josh Poore is the fourth and final rookie.
Simply making the field is an achievement. Finishing 500 laps is another challenge entirely.
Pole Day and Bump Day Drama Ahead
Little 500 week is about far more than race night.
CB Fabricating Pole Day, Thursday will determine who starts at the front and who gains early momentum.
Then comes Bump Day, where qualifying pressure reaches its peak as drivers fight for the final starting spots in one of short-track racing’s most intense traditions.
History has shown that championships and heartbreak can begin long before Saturday’s green flag.
The Ultimate Test Awaits
Five hundred laps around Anderson Speedway is unlike anything else in motorsports.
That unpredictability is what makes the Little 500 special.
On Saturday night, one driver will conquer the chaos, survive the grind, and join the legends who have defined Anderson Speedway for generations.
The wait is almost over. The Little 500 is here.
Practice for teams begins on Wednesday, May 20th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. CB Fabricating Pole Day is scheduled for Thursday, May 21st from 11:30am – 3:30pm.
Final practice and Bump Day is set for Friday, May 22nd from 11:30am to 3:30pm. Grandstand admission is free for fans Wednesday through Friday and race day tickets are reserved seating only. Click Here to purchase tickets.
The event, including practice and qualifying, will also be streamed live on Racing America. For more information on the Little 500, visit us at andersonspeedway.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
