Tag: Driven2SaveLives

McIntosh Finally Finds Victory Lane in BC39 at IMS

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From IMS:

Rookie Drake Earns Initial USAC Win in First Feature of Doubleheader

INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024) – Relief and joy came in equal measures Sunday night for Cannon McIntosh at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.McIntosh passed pole sitter Chase McDermand on the final lap of the 39-lap feature to win the Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors, a USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Championship race delayed by rain for one day.
McIntosh had finished second in the BC39 in 2022, in a preliminary feature race in 2023 and in the prelim feature Thursday night on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3 at IMS.
“We’ve been so close to winning here, even on prelim nights, and haven’t got it done,” McIntosh said. “I knew I was good enough there. It was hard to get a rhythm and find your way. When someone got a good run on the outside, I had to move around a little bit. I just stayed patient. I knew I had the car to do it.”
Jade Avedisian finished second to Keith Kunz Motorsports teammate McIntosh, with McDermand hanging on for third. Daison Pursley finished fourth, with Kevin Thomas Jr. rounding out the top five.
McDermand dominated the 39-lap feature from the pole. He lost the lead in his family-owned No. 40 machine on Lap 1 to Pursley in the No. 86 CB Industries machine. But McDermand regained the lead on Lap 2 and kept the top spot on five ensuing restarts.
Meanwhile, McIntosh worked his way from the sixth starting position to second with eight laps to go but didn’t look like he would threaten McDermand, who won the 30-lap preliminary feature Thursday night for his first USAC victory.
But heartbreak struck for McDermand on Lap 38. His car got hung up in a rut at the bottom of Turn 4, slowing his momentum. That let McIntosh power even with McDermand on the outside of the main straightaway with the white flag in the air, and McIntosh’s momentum carried him under McDermand in Turn 2 for a lead he would not surrender in the final two corners.
“I ran 38 decent laps and one really, really bad one,” a dejected-yet-classy McDermand said. “It stings, it really stings.”
McIntosh, from Bixby, Oklahoma, earned $20,039 for what he called the biggest victory of his career.
“I just stuck to the line I had,” McIntosh said. “I just waited patiently and drove under him (McDermand) and protected it into (Turn) 3. But I’m so thankful to do this in honor of Bryan (race namesake Bryan Clauson), who was a legend in our sport and a hero. It’s a really cool feeling. I’m just so grateful to be able to race here.”
Avedisian turned her No. 71 Keith Kunz Motorsports car into a thrill ride for most of the feature. She started fifth, next to McIntosh on the third row, and was one of the first drivers to try the treacherous high line.The gamble worked. Avedisian, 17, started to gain ground quickly, sliding inches from the concrete wall in the corners. She passed Pursley for third with seven laps to go and had momentum exiting Turn 4 on the final lap, falling short of catching McIntosh at the line.
“It’s super, super heartbreaking,” Avedisian said. “I wanted this one so bad. You do it for these kind of races, and when you’re in a spot to capitalize and it doesn’t fall your way, it’s heartbreaking. It’s still so cool to race inside IMS.”
Rookie Kale Drake earned his first USAC victory by capturing the 30-lap feature that preceded the BC39. The feature was rained out Friday and Saturday.Drake, who started fourth in the No. 97K car fielded by Keith Kunz Motorsports, passed Gavin Miller for the lead six laps into the feature and stayed out front for the rest of the way despite four caution periods.
“I don’t think there is anything better than it, honestly,” Drake said, his voice cracking with emotion.
“Holy moly. This is unreal. We’re a winner at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s pretty surreal.”
Pole sitter Thomas finished second, while Avedisian finished third. Drake, Thomas and Avedisian earned automatic starting spots in the BC39 feature by placing in the top three.
Drake never was seriously challenged on any of the restarts after he took the lead, and he was able to smoothly navigate the rougher Turn 3 and 4 portion of the racetrack.
“I had the best race car out there,” Drake said. “The entire Keith Kunz Motorsports team gave me the easiest Cadillac to drive through those ruts.”
Like in the BC39, Avedisian was the star of the show in the 30-lap feature. She struggled in her heat race but produced a strong drive from 10th to third in the feature, earning an automatic transfer spot after passing reigning BC39 winner Justin Grant and Miller in the last 11 laps.
The Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors continues to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson. In addition, it increases awareness of the Indiana Donor Network and its Driven2SaveLives campaign, sponsors of the event since its inception.

BC39 To Resume This Afternoon with Doubleheader at IMS 

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 INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024) – Track preparation is underway at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 29, as the Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors is scheduled to be the highlight this evening of a doubleheader for the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Championship.
Rain from Hurricane Helene forced the postponement of all action Friday and Saturday on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3 of the famed IMS paved oval.
Friday’s originally scheduled program will take place first, starting with hot laps at 3 p.m., weather permitting. Heat races, qualifying races and a B main will follow, capped by a 30-lap feature at 5 p.m.
The BC39 program will start at 6:30 p.m. with hot laps, followed by the C and B Mains and Last Chance Race. The 39-lap BC39 feature is scheduled to start at 9 p.m., with the winner earning $20,039.
Parking opens at 12:30 p.m., with public gates open at 1:30 p.m.
All Saturday products (tickets, pit passes and parking) are valid today. Customers with only Friday products (tickets, pit passes and parking) were contacted by the IMS Ticket Office with options. Tickets for today are available for purchase on IMS.com.
Customers with questions may contact the IMS Ticket Office at tickets@brickyard.com.
The Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors continues to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson. In addition, it increases awareness of the Indiana Donor Network and its Driven2SaveLives campaign, sponsors of the event since its inception in 2018. 

BC39 Postponed to Sunday at IMS Due to Continued Weather

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From IMS:
  INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024) – Saturday’s Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors has been postponed until mid-afternoon Sunday, Sept. 29 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Rain from Hurricane Helene continues to impact track preparations, causing postponement of today’s event.
“We are still committed to delivering this major event,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Right now, the track surface is sealed over. If we open the track up to begin to prepare it, and the rain that is forecasted today happens to fall during that process, water will get deep in the track and cause a significant challenge to get it prepped in the near future. Postponing to Sunday gives us the best chance for a successful event.”
Hot laps will start the program Sunday. There will be a doubleheader for the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Championship featuring Friday’s originally scheduled program first, which will be followed by Saturday’s originally scheduled program on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3 of the famed IMS asphalt oval, weather permitting.
All Saturday products (tickets, pit passes and parking) will be valid Sunday. Customers with only Friday products (tickets, pit passes and parking) were contacted by the IMS Ticket Office with options.
Tickets for Sunday are available for purchase on IMS.com.
Customers with questions may contact the IMS Ticket Office at tickets@brickyard.com.
The highlight of Sunday’s competition will be the 39-lap feature, which pays $20,039 to win and has become a must-win for any USAC Midget competitor since the inaugural event in 2018.
Chase McDermand won the 30-lap preliminary feature Thursday night at The Dirt Track at IMS. Local hero C.J. Leary made history by winning the inaugural Stoops Sprint Car Invitational, the first time USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Cars have raced at IMS.
The Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors continues to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson. In addition, it increases awareness of the Indiana Donor Network and its Driven2SaveLives campaign, sponsors of the event since its inception.
Visit IMS.com to buy tickets and pit passes or for more information. 
 
 

BC39 Scheduled To Resume at 4 p.m. Saturday at IMS 

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 INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Sept. 27, 2024) – The Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors is tentatively scheduled to resume at 4 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 28 after persistent rain and high winds from Hurricane Helene forced the cancellation of all activity Friday, Sept. 27 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Hot laps will start the program, with a doubleheader for the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Championship also scheduled for Saturday on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3 of the famed IMS asphalt oval, weather permitting.
Another update will be issued at 10 a.m. ET Saturday.
The highlight of Saturday’s competition will be the 39-lap feature, which pays $20,039 to win and has become a must-win for any USAC Midget competitor since the inaugural event in 2018.Chase McDermand won the 30-lap preliminary feature Thursday night at The Dirt Track at IMS. Local hero C.J. Leary made history by winning the inaugural Stoops Sprint Car Invitational, the first time USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Cars have raced at IMS.
The Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors continues to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson. In addition, it increases awareness of the Indiana Donor Network and its Driven2SaveLives campaign, sponsors of the event since its inception.
Visit IMS.com to buy tickets and pit passes or for more information.

Rain Washes Out BC39 Activity; Racing To Resume Saturday at IMS 

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From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Sept. 27, 2024) – Persistent rain and high winds from Hurricane Helene forced the cancellation of all track activity Friday, Sept. 27 for the Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A doubleheader for the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship is planned for Saturday, Sept. 28 at the quarter-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3 of the famed paved oval at the Racing Capital of the World, weather permitting.
An update on the event schedule will be provided at 6 p.m. ET Friday, with more information released at 10 a.m. ET Saturday.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of all participants and fans, and we are committed to delivering this major event over the next few days, if required,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “We will be doing everything in our power to ensure a successful event.”
Customers with Friday products (tickets, pit passes and parking) will be contacted by the IMS Ticket Office with options.
The highlight of Saturday’s competition will be the 39-lap feature, which pays $20,039 to win and has become a must-win for any USAC Midget competitor since the inaugural event in 2018.Chase McDermand won the 30-lap preliminary feature
Thursday night at The Dirt Track at IMS. Local hero C.J. Leary made history by winning the inaugural Stoops Sprint Car Invitational, the first time USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Cars have raced at IMS.
The Driven2SaveLives BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors continues to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson. In addition, it increases awareness of the Indiana Donor Network and its Driven2SaveLives campaign, sponsors of the event since its inception.
Visit IMS.com to buy tickets and pit passes or for more information.

Driven2SaveLives BC39 Dates Announced for Sept. 26-28 

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From IMS. I am happy that they kept this event in this slot.

 Ticket Renewals, Applications Now Open

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, March 28, 2024) – Mark your calendars for the sixth running of the Driven2SaveLives BC39, which will be held Sept. 26-28 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The standalone, three-day event spotlights the wheel-to-wheel racing of the United States Auto Club (USAC) NOS Energy Drink National Midget Championship.Action under the lights will start Thursday, Sept. 26 and continue through the 39-lap feature race Saturday, Sept. 28.
Fans who attended the 2023 Driven2SaveLives BC39 can renew their tickets now at IMS.com/bc39 or by calling 317-492-6700. The renewal window will continue through Friday, April 12.
In addition, fans who did not attend last year’s event can apply for tickets now at the lowest prices of the year.
The event format, ticket information and other event details will be announced in the future.
The event on the quarter-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3 at IMS will continue to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increase awareness of the importance of organ donation. Race fans can register to be organ donors onsite at the Driven2SaveLives tent.
“It is the generosity of donors and donor families, like Bryan and the Clauson family, that makes saving lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation possible,” said Indiana Donor Network President and CEO Kellie Tremain. “In 2016, Bryan saved five lives as an organ donor and helped heal countless others as a tissue donor. His decision brought hope and healing to many others. We look forward to honoring Bryan and all donors at this year’s BC39, which helps raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation.”
“The BC39 remains one of my favorite events on the IMS calendar,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Not only do we get to honor the memory of Bryan Clauson by encouraging fans to register for organ donation through the Indiana Donor Network, but we get to share our passion for short tracks across the country through this incredibly competitive series and its talented drivers.”
Seventy-two cars participated in the 2023 event at IMS, making the Driven2SaveLives BC39 the largest USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship field of the year.
California racer Justin Grant, a childhood friend and longtime competitor of event namesake Bryan Clauson, won the 2023 Driven2SaveLives BC39 after a fierce duel with teammate Thomas Meseraull. 

Clauson-Marshall Racing, Pippa Mann Enter Indy 500

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Pippa Mann will get another shot at driving in the Indianapolis 500. Clauson-Marshall Racing, one of the most successful dirt car teams at the moment, announced their entry for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500. Tim Clauson, father of the late Brian Clauson, said he and partner Richard Marshall are continuing Brian’s legacy of short track drivers racing in the 500.

The team has a technical alliance with A. J. Foyt Racing. The Foyt team  did have speed at IMS last year. Tony Kanaan qualified 10th and Matheus Leist started 11th.  Kanaan led 19 laps and was a contender for the win until a tire issue put him toward the rear of the field. He eventually crashed. Leist finished 13th.

Driven2 Save Lives will be the primary name on the car. Mann said several of her sponsors from last year will be back as well as at least three new backers. Mann was one of two drivers bumped from the field in 2018. Mann has participated in six Indy 500s, debuting in 2011. Her best starting spot is 22nd in 2014 and her best finish is 17th in 2017.

 

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Pippa Mann speaks at the Clauson-Marshall announcement.

The car will carry number 39, Brian Clauson’s number.  Clauson and Mann were teammates at Dale Coyne Racing in 2016.

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The car has similar colors as last year’s Driven2SaveLives entry.

Thoughts

Despite the partnership with Foyt, who did find some speed last year, the team faces long odds of making the race. With 36-38 entires expected, the one off teams could have a difficult time cracking the fastest 33.

I like Pippa. She is a great ambassador for the sport and works tirelessly on behalf of health causes and to help women in racing. She adds a lot to the paddock. However, I think a new team would want a more seasoned driver to have a realistic chance at lining up race morning.  It will be great if she drives on May 26, but I fear the same result she had last year.

It’s always great to have a new team and more entries at Indy.