Baer Field Speedway will open its 2012 season on Saturday with nearly 150 laps of Feature racing in six divisions. It will be the 49th season of racing at the track.
The traditional “Super Show” of stock car action will be highlighted by the first Indiana appearance of 2012 for the HOSS Outlaw Winged Sprints.
The HOSS Sprints are expecting an all-star line-up of drivers. Heading the roster will be 73 year-old Baer Field “Hall of Fame” member and local legend, Hank Lower. Among the expected challengers will 2011 HOSS Champion Aaron Pierce of Indianapolis; 2011 runner-up Joe Swanson; father and son HOSS Champion duo of Tim (father, 2009 Champ) and Jason (son, 2010 Champ) Cox from Illinois; Ohio’s Jimmy McCune; Fort Wayne native Chris Neuenschwander; and all-time Baer Field Sprint Car Feature win record holder Denny England.
Following an exciting point battle in 2011, the NAPA Late Models division is wide open as defending champion Dean Cook’s plans are uncertain. Challengers to Cook’s crown could be Steve Minich Jr., Derek Hoffman, Chad Richardson, Neal Richardson, Justin King, Jeremy Wallen, Oiver Fitzwater and rookie Brandon Barcus.
Wallen, of Monroeville, returns as the four-time defending champion in the Modified division. Challengers to Wallen could be Pete Wormcastle, Ron Stine, Bill Sink, John Gatton Jr., Mike Mayes, Russ Miller, Cory Nuttle and Scott Coe.
Defending Champion Larry Vandall leads a field of Street Stocks that is expected to include 2010 Champion Jamie Garrett, Eric Barcus, Alan Fox, Shawn Bonar, Frank Casagrande, Paul Murray, and Jan Long.
The Afdent Mini Stocks will be headed defending Champion Jake Hinton along with Brad McBride, Kevin Howard, Dale Moses, Kevin Dibble, Chad Minnix, Tim Bertoia Jr., and Rich Rickard. A full-field of Front Wheel Drives with drivers such as Tristan Crago, Dave Fisher, Lee Gillingham, Joshua Kelley, and Matt and Dustin Janes will round out the racing card.
Spectator gates will open at 2 p.m.; with qualifying at 4:30; and racing at 7:30.
Adult admission for this show will be $18; kids 7-12 are $5; and all kids 6-and-under will be admitted free.
