The annual Du Quoin State Fair racing weekend is now just one week away, with two days of national motorsports action set for Saturday and Sunday, September 5-6 on the historic Du Quoin State Fairgrounds Magic Mile. Saturday will feature the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series Ted Horn 100, while the ARCA Menards Series Audubon Park 100 takes center stage under the lights Sunday evening. The DIRTcar Modifieds will compete both days, with qualifying and preliminary action Saturday leading into Sunday night’s $2,000-to-win Bill Oldani Memorial.
Brad Smith (48) to tie a record in starts in DuQuoin ARCA (Mark Funderburk Photo)
Saturday’s Ted Horn 100 comes just two weeks after Briggs Danner captured his first victory on a mile dirt track in the Bettenhausen 100 at Springfield. Danner now has an opportunity to sweep the two Illinois dirt miles, a feat accomplished just 23 times since 1948. Meanwhile, defending Du Quoin winner C.J. Leary brings a 69-point USAC Silver Crown championship lead over Justin Grant into the weekend. Leary won last year’s Ted Horn 100 after taking the lead on lap six and leading the final 94 miles.
There will also be plenty at stake when the ARCA Menards Series arrives Sunday. Sixteen-year-old Max Reaves won last weekend’s Calypso 100 at Springfield and now has an opportunity to complete the Illinois dirt-track sweep. A Du Quoin victory would earn Reaves an additional $20,000 through the Audubon Park Dirt Double and could result in a total payday of approximately $30,000 when prize and contingency awards are included. Veteran Brad Smith also has an opportunity to make history Sunday. His 24th Du Quoin start would tie 10-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel for the most stock car starts on the Magic Mile.
The weekend begins Saturday with grandstands opening at 9:00 a.m., USAC Silver Crown qualifying at 11:30 a.m., Modified heat races at 12:15 p.m. and the Ted Horn 100 at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, grandstands open at 3:00 p.m., ARCA General Tire Pole Qualifying is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., the Bill Oldani Memorial rolls off at 6:30 p.m., and the Audubon Park 100 is scheduled for 7:39 p.m.
Advance tickets are available for $5 off the race-day price each day by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200 or purchasing them at the Du Quoin State Fair Box Office.