Sprint Cars Return to Winchester for Tom Bigelow Showdown
Sprint Cars Return to Winchester for Tom Bigelow Showdown
For the first time since 2019, non-wing pavement sprint cars will thunder around the high banks of Winchester Speedway. The event will be named in honor of Tom Bigelow, a key contributor to bringing sprint cars back to Winchester. The Tom Bigelow Winchester Showdown presented by Neal Metal Recycling & Processing is set for Sunday, June 29th.
The Tom Bigelow Winchester Showdown presented by Neal Metal Processing & Recycling will honor one of the greatest men in all of motorsports, Tom Bigelow. Known as the “Mouse” in the racing industry, Bigelow has competed in a variety of racing cars ranging from midgets to full size sprint cars, and from national series stock cars to Indycars. Bigelow competed in nine straight Indy 500’s between the years of 1974 to 1982. Until recently, Bigelow was second on the all time USAC National Sprint Car wins list with 52 total victories. He now ranks third behind Dave Darland (62) and Brady Bacon (53).
A strong field of 25 cars have entered the Tom Bigelow Winchester Showdown. With the 500 Sprint Car Tour rule book allowing a maximum of 24 cars, a B-Main will determine which drivers compete for the $7,000 prize and which driver will see their day come to an end before it begins. The star powered field includes Little 500 winners, local heroes, up and coming stars, and a Daytona 500 winner.
Bobby Santos III is fresh off a dominating victory at Toledo Speedway on June 7th. The 2020 Little 500 Champion has his eyes set on a 500 Sprint Car Tour Championship as he currently sits in second place, just six points behind Dakoda Armstrong. Armstrong will be back in action after a disappointing run at Toledo, but will be in a new colorway as he hops into the car his cousin, Caleb Armstrong, won the 2024 Little 500 in. Caleb has since retired from racing following his Little 500 victory, but the bigger engined car that he traditionally drives is far from retired.
Other Little 500 champions to enter the field at Winchester include Kody Swanson, Tyler Roahrig, and Brian Tyler. Swanson, the defending 500 Sprint Car Tour Champion, is a three time Little 500 champion and has a lot of experience at Winchester Speedway in his USAC Silver Crown Car. Roahrig, looking to become a two time series champion, is also a two time winner of the Little 500. Brian Tyler, will be making his first 500 Sprint Car Tour start, is primarily known for his time driving for the legendary Contos Family at the Little 500 and also has two wins under his belt. A long time USAC competitor, Tyler will arguably have the most experience of anyone in the field at Winchester Speedway.
Ryan Newman will make his first start with the 500 Sprint Car Tour at Winchester Speedway. Newman has made three Little 500 since 2022 in a sprint car. 9-Time Little 500 winner Eric Gordon will be the crew chief for the race. Newman won one USAC Sprint Car race at Winchester in August of 1999.
Other notable entries include Davey Hamilton Jr., Jackson Macenko, Colton Bettis, Jake McElfresh, Nathan Byrd, Taylor Ferns, Kyle O’Gara, Tony Main. The event will be Newman’s first points earning event with the 500 Sprint Car Tour, as he has previously competed in two non-points Little 500 events.
The Tom Bigelow Winchester Showdown is set for Sunday, June 29th at 2:30pm. The 500 Sprint Car Tour will be joined in action by Modifieds and Thunder Roadsters. Pit gates will open at 8:00am and spectator gates will open at 10:00am. Practice will begin at 10:15am, qualifying at 12:05pm, and feature racing at 2:45pm. All of the afternoon’s action can be seen live on DIRTVision. Tickets are $25 for adults reserved, $20 for adults GA, $15 for students aged 12-17 GA, and free for kids 11 and under GA. You can purchase your tickets early by clicking HERE.
