Ken de la Bastide: DIRTVision to broadcast Little 500, 500 Sprint Car tour events
Mar. 12—For several years, fans of oval dirt track racing have relied on DIRTVision to broadcast the World of Outlaws and its late model series.
It was a significant announcement last week DIRTVision will broadcast for the first time pavement sprint car racing.
It was announced DIRTVision will broadcast the 76th running of the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway and all nine races of the 500 Sprint Car Tour and Kenyon Midget Series.
The Little 500 was first run in 1949, with Sam Skinner earning the victory. Many of racing's legendary drivers have competed in the event, dating back to the likes of Parnelli Jones and Johnny Rutherford.
The 500 Sprint Car Tour is the first major pavement series DIRTVision will broadcast.
"In the storied history of the Little 500, many dirt Sprint Car drivers have crossed over and raced this event on pavement," DIRTVision's Brian Dunlap said. "The Little 500 and the 500 Sprint Car Tour is the pinnacle of open wheel paved short track racing. It's an honor to be chosen as their broadcast partner and showcase their events alongside The Greatest Shows on Dirt."
The first event will be April 6 at Anderson Speedway. Other venues on the tour include Berlin Raceway and Kalamazoo Speedway in Michigan, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and Salem Speedway in Indiana and Toledo Speedway in Ohio.
"We are very excited to bring DIRTVision on as our broadcast partner for the 2024 season," 500 Sprint Car Tour Series director Jared Owen said. "As a pavement series, we will be exposed to an entirely new demographic being on a predominately dirt racing platform. We can't wait to put on a great show for all the fans out there."
With the switch to DIRTVision for the 2024 season, it will expose fans of dirt sprint car racing to a new form of racing sprint cars on challenging paved ovals.
IN OTHER RACING NEWS
It's encouraging to see several local businesses are stepping up as title sponsors for three divisions at Anderson Speedway.
As it has done for many years, McGunegill Engine Performance will continue as sponsor of the late model division.
Marcum's Welding continues as the title sponsor for the Front Wheel Drive division, and Vore's Welding will be the title sponsor for the return of Street Stocks as a regular division at Anderson Speedway.
Josef Newgarden dominated the IndyCar season opener on the street course in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Three drivers with Team Penske finished in the top four, with Scott McLaughlin finishing third and Will Power coming home in fourth.
Pato O'Ward claimed the runner-up position.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
