FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Seven-time champion Tony Stewart heads the more than 250 drivers who are entered for the 14th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne indoor races on Friday, Dec. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 31 at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center.
Stewart, who will be competing at the 1/6-mile track for the first time in three years, is among 38 entries in the midget division. The 257-car entry list also includes 35 winged outlaw modified midgets, nine mini-sprints, 126 karts (in nine classes) and 49 quarter midgets (in five classes). Entries will continue to be accepted through race weekend.
Stewart, who captured his third career NASCAR championship last month, has won the Rumble in Fort Wayne midget feature seven times in 12 starts, including a sweep of the two-day program in 2006. During a stretch from 2004-08, he won six of eight features in which he competed.
Rich Corson of Markham, Ill., and Billy Wease of Noblesville, Ind. – the only drivers to beat Stewart during his incredible run – also are entered, along with defending champions Jim Anderson of Joliet, Ill., and Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind. Wease ranks second to Stewart with three career Rumble in Fort Wayne midget wins, all since 2007.
Larry Joe Sroufe of Larwill, Ind., and Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Pa., will be back to defend their winged outlaw midget titles. Collin Ambrose of Owensboro, Ky., the 2011 Midwest Mini Sprint Association champion, heads the field in mini-sprints, which will be racing at Fort Wayne for the first time. Zach Axlen of Sheboygan, Wis., and Cason Konzer of Holly, Mich., who each won four features last season, top the entries in karts and quarter midgets, respectively.
Complete racing programs are scheduled both days, with spectator gates opening at 11 a.m. and the main portion of the event after 7 p.m. Stuntman Henry “The Pitbull” Rife will attempt a world record indoor jump of 10 cars on an ATV during Saturday’s activities. He crashed on landing last year, breaking his collarbone.
Tickets will be available at the door, but fans are encouraged to purchase in advance at the Memorial Coliseum box office, through Ticketmaster or by calling (800) 745-3000. Reserved seating (middle sections of the frontstretch) is available only in advance and is $22.50 for one day or $41 for both days. General admission is $19.50 for one day or $35 for both days. Kids 12 and under are admitted for $10 for one day or $16 for both. Pit passes, available only at the event, are $30 for one day or $55 for two.
More information is available at www.rumbleseries.com, by calling (317) 418-3216 or by e-mailing
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