2/9/2016
Sprint Source
USAC and IMRA Midget Series Join Forces For 2016 Season
The United States Auto Club (USAC) and the Engler Illinois Midget Racing Association (IMRA) have teamed up for the 2016 racing season to form one of the biggest production engine midget racing series in the Midwest.
The season consists of a 27-race schedule with the majority of the races split between two “home tracks” in Illinois and Iowa: Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Illinois and 34 Raceway in Burlington Iowa. The season opening event takes place Saturday, April 9 at 34 Raceway with the season concluding at Spoon River on Saturday, September 24.
The series will also hold its first ever USAC/IMRA “Summer Sizzle Speedweek” July 21-24, kicking off the week with a two-day event at Farmer City Raceway on Thursday, July 21 and Friday, July 22 for the "Engler USAC/IMRA Nationals.” The series will then move to 34 Raceway on Saturday, July 23rd and conclude on Sunday night, July 24th at Spoon River Speedway. Special events have also been schedule throughout the season to bring several high-paying events including a $1500-to-win event at the end of the 2016 season.
IMRA has consistently gained participation with the relatively stock-based, 2.4-liter engine platform, thus eliminating the cost of high-dollar aftermarket parts and creating one of the most affordable grassroots midget racing series. IMRA has seen steady growth over the last three years with more than 45 drivers competing in the series in 2015.
“This was a perfect fit for our series and our drivers," stated IMRA president Tracy Hull. “What a huge boost for our series!”
Furthermore, the 2016 USAC IMRA champion will be honored at December’s USAC banquet in Indianapolis.
“What an honor it will be to have the USAC/IMRA Midget champion enter the USAC record books alongside some of the greatest open wheel drivers in history,” Hull said. “We could not be happier with our decision to create an alliance with USAC and we are honored to be included.”
For more info on the USAC/IMRA Midget Series, including the 2016 rules and event schedule, please visit their Facebook page by searching “Illinois Midget Racing Association.”
2016 USAC/ENGLER IMRA D2 MIDGET RACING SERIES TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
April 9: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
April 16: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
April 23: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
April 30: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
May 7: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
May 14: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
May 21: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
May 28: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
May 29: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
June 4: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
June 11: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
June 18: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
June 25: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
July 2: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
July 9: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
July 16: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
July 21: Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, Illinois (Summer Sizzle Speedweek)
July 22: Farmer City Raceway – Farmer City, Illinois (Summer Sizzle Speedweek)
July 23: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa (Summer Sizzle Speedweek)
July 24: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois (Summer Sizzle Speedweek)
August 6: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
August 13: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
August 20: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
August 27: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
September 10: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois
September 17: 34 Raceway – Burlington, Iowa
September 24: Spoon River Speedway – Canton, Illinois