Posted by Illiana Speedway on 8/18/2005, 2:09 pm
Board Administrator

Record Purse set for 44th Edition Bettenhausen Classic Schererville, Ind.-Illiana Motor Speedway will host the 44th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 Classic presented by Lisa Thomas Salon on Saturday night, September 17. A definite Midwestern late model stock car racing tradition, the event will carry a record purse of more than $30,000 at stake with $4,400 going to the race winner. The list of previous winners and near-winners is second to none with many of those drivers going on to climb the ladder in various major leagues of auto racing. Some of the recent past winners include four-time victor and defending race winner Dave Weltmeyer of Dyer, Ind., three-time Bettenhausen 100 winners Eddie Hoffman of Wheaton, Ill. and Larry Schuler of Minooka, Ill. and 2002 race winner and current Illiana late model points leader Pat Kelly of Morris, Ill. with all four drivers expected to compete in this year's contest. Current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series front-runner Ted Musgrave won the race in 1988. Other notable winners include Troy Ruttman-inaugural race victor in 1962 and the Indianapolis 500 champion in 1952; former Indy 500 speedster, NASCAR driver and local resident Paul Goldsmith, who won in 1963; the first three-time winner Conan "Moose" Myers, along with all time race winner Frank Gawlinski, who won the 100 lapper a record nine times. With Illinois locations in Orland Park and Tinley Park, Lisa Thomas Salon, which specializes in contemporary designs for men and women's hair, skin and nails, will be this year's event sponsor. Owners Tom and Lisa Kmak are excited about their sponsorship. "I've been coming to this event since I was a kid," said Tom Kmak. "It's an honor to be the sponsor of this prestigious event that has so much history and tradition associated with it. Illiana is where our family and friends meet in the Fall for the last big race of the year." A field of 28 will start this year's 100-lap chase with the lineup being determined by time trials and several qualifying and "last chance" races, including the M.R. Lee Building Materials Let's Deal "B Main." Racing is slated to start at 7:00 p.m. Over 40 entries are expected. "The Bettenhausen race has always been a super event, but with Lisa Thomas Salon involved it's like icing on the cake," said Illiana owner-manager, Mike Mikuly, who has set the event's rain date for Sunday afternoon, September 18. Illiana Motor Speedway is located on U.S. Highway 30, 2 miles east of U.S Highway 41 or five miles west of Interstate 65. For more information, call the speedway office at (219) 322-5311 or check www.illianaspeedway.com.