Top Storylines Heading into Winchester Speedway

The 500 Sprint Car Tour invades the Highbanks of Winchester Speedway for the first time on Sunday, June 29. There is no shortage of storylines as the tour enters the Inaugural Tom Bigelow Showdown presented by Neal Metal Recycling & Processing.

Honoring the Mouse:

The 500 Sprint Car Tour is set to honor one of the greatest open-wheel racers in history — Tom “The Mouse” Bigelow — with a special tribute at the legendary Winchester Speedway.

Known for his fearless driving style and record-setting USAC career, Bigelow's impact on sprint car racing spans generations. As a former winner at Winchester and a true ambassador for the sport, it’s only fitting that the Tour makes its first appearance to one of America’s fastest half-miles to celebrate his racing career.

This is more than just a race. It’s a salute to a legend.

Did you miss the bio Dave Argabroght did on Tom Bigelow’s racing career? If you did click here

Winchester Speedway returning to Prominence:

Before the Winchester 400 (Major end of the year stock car race at Winchester) in 2024, track owner Charlie Shaw entered into an agreement with Steve Vore & Dan Redmond to take over the promotion of Winchester Speedway. They duo has ingrained themselves into the Winchester community and continued to work with the great staff of Winchester Speedway. Charlie Shaw and team have made major updates including new LED track lighting, whelen safety lights, additional concrete barrier on the back stretch, removed second story of infield tower for better fan visibility, remodeled gift shop, remodeled hospitality room, and remodeled race control tower. That is just the starting point as they have many projects continuing through this race season.

Renovated gift shop at Winchester Speedway

Am I seeing that right?:

A field of 26 sprint cars is set to roar into Winchester Speedway, marking the largest car count at the legendary high banks since April 26, 2008 — when Darren Hagen triumphed in a thrilling USAC event.

This Saturday’s showdown is shaping up to be one for the record books. With top drivers from across the region and country entered, the return of this kind of depth and talent to Winchester signals a major moment for pavement sprint car racing.

The last time fans saw this many sprint cars take on the half-mile oval, it was a different era. Now, a new generation is ready to write its own chapter — and possibly challenge the long-standing track records in the process.

Tom Bigelow Showdown Entry List

The Half Mile Gauntlet:

The 500 Sprint Car Tour is diving headfirst into one of the most intense stretches of the season — a back-to-back-to-back showdown on three of the fastest and most historic half-miles in the country: Toledo, Winchester, and Salem.

Each track brings its own brand of chaos:
Toledo Speedway – smooth, fast, and deceptively technical.
Winchester Speedway – high banks and white-knuckle speeds that test bravery.
Salem Speedway – raw, old-school pavement with no room for error.

Drivers will need precision, endurance, and guts to survive this brutal gauntlet. One mistake could end a championship bid. Three strong runs could define a year.

Bobby Santos III was able to win part 1 of the half-mile gauntlet, in dominating fashion on June 7. Santos qualified on pole and led every lap in the race. The Franklin, Massachusetts driver has experience at Winchester and looks to continue his winning ways this Sunday.

Daytona 500 Winner returning to his favorite track:

The former NASCAR Cup Series star and Daytona 500 champion is set to return to Winchester Speedway, a track he’s long called his favorite. Known for its incredible speed, steep banking, and unforgiving nature, Winchester is a proving ground for the fearless—and Newman is ready to take on the challenge once again.

Newman’s appearance at Winchester marks a full-circle moment in a career that began on short tracks and grew to the sport’s biggest stages. His return isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about reconnecting with the roots of real American racing and the fans who’ve followed him from short tracks to Daytona. Newman has two USAC Sprint car victories to his credit, with one of those coming at Winchester in 1999.

As the 500 Sprint Car Tour rolls into town, all eyes will be on the No. 39 as Newman straps in for another shot at the legendary high banks..

Can Ferns tame another Highbanked ½ Mile?

Taylor Ferns is no stranger to breaking barriers—and now she’s back on the high banks, aiming for another milestone as she takes on Winchester Speedway with the 500 Sprint Car Tour.

Taylor Ferns in victory lane after winning the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial at Salem Speedway - Jack Kessler Photo

Last season, Ferns etched her name into the history books by winning at Salem Speedway, Winchester’s equally daunting sister track. It was her first victory on the 500 Sprint Car Tour, and it sent a message loud and clear: she’s not just here to compete—she’s here to win.

With its towering banking and lightning-fast straightaways, Winchester demands confidence and commitment—qualities Ferns has shown in spades. As one of the few female drivers in pavement sprint car racing at this level, she continues to blaze her own trail, not only as a competitor but as a force to be reckoned with.

Brian Tyler & Bernie Hallisky team up once again:

Open-wheel veteran Brian Tyler (Parma, Michigan) is set to return to the high banks of Winchester Speedway, teaming up once again with longtime friend and car owner Bernie Hallisky. The duo previously joined forces for a single event in 2022, and they’re reuniting with their sights set on a strong run in this weekend’s 500 Sprint Car Tour event.

Tyler, a two-time USAC Sprint Car champion, brings a wealth of experience and a fearless driving style to one of the fastest and most challenging tracks in the country. Tyler has two previous USAC sprint car wins at Winchester in 1997 and 1998. Brian Tyler has been busy racing winged sprint cars with his son Robert in the Carolina Sprint Tour, plus making starts in the BCR Group #81 silver crown. Though this marks just his second outing with Hallisky in a 500 Sprint Car Tour event, the pairing carries years of mutual respect and open-wheel expertise — making them a team to watch at Winchester.

TTI Machine Rookie of the Year Battle:

The 2025 TTI Machine Rookie of the Year battle might be one of the best in series history. Matt Dimit is the points leader with two top 10 finishes in the first two races. Dimit enters the Tom Bigelow Classic with excitement as he is a 2-time modified “Run for the Gun” winner at Winchester.

Matt Dimit strapped in before making his first sprint car start at Anderson Speedway in April. - Jack Kessler Photo

Rylan Gray and car owner Tom Brewer seem to be catching their stride. Gray was the rookie of the race in the Little 500 and the hard charger at Toledo Speedway. He currently sits tied for third with Landon Butler. Butler, the third generation driver from Florida, finished 11th at the opening race at Anderson. The team had a faulty temperature gauge and pulled off the track at Toledo. Landon and team look to move onto Winchester and score their first top 10 of 2025.

Brady Allum is second in points and trailing Dimit by 30 points. Brady and his dad Chad vowed to return stronger in 2025, and they have. The Taylorville, North Carolina team bought a BEAST Chassis from Nick Bohanon and also bought a new BEAST Chassis from Bob East. He has two top 15 finishes to his credit in 2025 and knocking on the door of his first top 10.

An optional practice will be contested on Saturday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. On Saturday, spectator gates open at 10:00am with Racing to begin at 2:45pm. Along with the 500 Sprint Car Tour, Modifieds and Thunder Roadsters will compete at Winchester Speedway. Tickets for Saturday's event at Winchester Speedway are available in advance at www.winchester-speedway.com. Tickets will also be available at the gate.

The 2025 500 Sprint Car Tour season will see nine point earning events across a ten race schedule from early April to mid October. The 77th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by UAW will once again be a non-points earning event for the series, filling out the ten race schedule in its traditional Memorial Day Weekend slot. All races, including the 77th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500, will be streamed LIVE on DIRTVision. For more information on the 500 Sprint Car Tour visit: 500sprintcartour.com and be sure to follow on social media (Facebook: 500 Sprint Car Tour | Twitter (X): @500SprintTour | Instagram: @500sprintcartour).