Salute to America Night is This Friday Night

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Silver Crown, Big 8, and Fireworks Take Center Stage

Event Schedule (PDF) | Expected Entries (PDF)

The skies above Madison International Speedway will light up on Friday, June 29th for Colony Brands Salute to America Night featuring the area’s biggest and best aerial and ground fireworks display presented by Spielbauer Fireworks.

Fans know that this is one of the biggest and best events of the season and this year will be no exception with two great racing series in action on the half-mile on this night that has been affectionately called “Racing and Booms.”

Making their first-ever appearance at Madison and battling it out on Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile will be the USAC Silver Crown cars for the running of the Dairyland 100 presented by Bytec Inc. Drivers from throughout the United States including David Byrne of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, who holds the all-time speed record at Madison. Byrne is currently third in the point standings and is likely to be one of only a couple of drivers with any experience at Madison. Toni Breidinger of California, who recently completed in the ARCA race here, will be back behind the wheel of her Super Crown car. Laps should be in the 15-16 second range so don’t blink!

Kody Swanson of California is the current points leader with a 359-260 margin over second place Justin Grant. Swanson comes into the Madison race with three straight wins coming at Toledo, Indiana State Fairgrounds, and Lucas Oil Raceway. The series runs events on both asphalt and dirt over the course of their eleven race schedule.

However, this will not be the first visit by USAC as they were here in 1997 when Dave Steele (Sprint Cars) and Jimmy McCune (Midgets) took home the checkered flags. Their last Silver Crown visit to Wisconsin was at the Milwaukee Mile seven years ago when Bobby East picked up the win.

The Silver Crown cars are non-winged and compete on both asphalt and dirt. These cars have a 96” wheelbase and weigh a minimum of 1625 pounds. For more information on the series checkout their website at www.usacracing.com

The Big 8 Late Models will also be in action competing in the Montgomery Ward 48. You’ll see the weekly stars at Madison competing against drivers from Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, and Indiana. The series made its first appearance at Madison back in 2005 when Tim Sauter took home the checkered flag and have completed eighteen races at the speedway.

Jeremy Miller comes into the race with back to back Big 8 wins at Madison and has won a total of four series events here. Zack Riddle and Dale Nottestad also have two Big 8 wins at Madison while current Madison points leader John Baumeister Jr. won the event in 2010. Jon Reynolds Jr. and Brady Liddle also notched victories. Two Big 8 races were held each year at Madison from 2007-2011.

A lot can and typically does happen in 48 laps of Late Model action at Madison. This Friday night will be no exception. Will one of our weekly stars take home the checkered flag or will it be one of the visiting drivers?

The guys from Spielbauer Fireworks will put a giant exclamation point on the night with a spectacular aerial and ground display. You will experience all of the sights, sounds, smells and vibrations of the show right from your seat on the front stretch.

Make your plans now to be here this Friday when Colony Brands presents Salute to America Night.

Great racing…great fireworks…equals a perfect night of family fun and entertainment.

Adult tickets are $20.00 / Whelen Heroes and Seniors $18.00 / Students 12-17 $10.00 / Kids 6-11 $5.00 / 5 and under free. A “Family” ticket for two adults and up to four students / kids is just $40.00.

Looking Ahead

Friday, July 6th: It’s Round Two of the Super Late Model Triple Crown Challenge with a star studded 50 lap feature event. Johnny Sauter picked up the win back in early June. You’ll also see our three weekly NASCAR divisions in action with the Late Models, Dave’s White Rock Sportsman, and Pellitteri Waste Systems Bandits. Current points leaders are John Baumeister Jr. (Late Models), Robert Hansberry Jr. (Sportsman), and Nick Schmidt (Bandits)

Thursday, July 12th: The July edition of the One on One Street Drags featuring bracket racing in more than a dozen categories. If you’re still thinking about bringing out your car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, or anything with wheels now’s your opportunity.

Friday, July 13th: Kids’ Night and the Friday the Thirteenth Spooktacular with all kids 11 and under admitted free and a candy scramble at intermission. Racing action features NASCAR Late Models, Dave’s White Rock Sportsman, Pellitteri Waste Systems Bandits, and the second appearance of the year by the Bandoleros.

We’ll see you at all of these great events at Madison International Speedway.