NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — The most entertaining two hours in motorsports are right around the corner.
The 76th running of the Little 500 is set for Saturday night, May 25, and based on early entries it’s going to be a most interesting edition of one of the most intriguing events in all motorsports.
It’s easy to see why the Little 500 remains popular today; it has all the elements that attracted most of us to motorsports in the first place. Action, color, noise, close racing, methanol fumes … all are part of an unforgettable Little 500 experience.
The Little 500 has stayed loyal to its origins, and its purpose: 33 cars, 11 rows of three, 500 laps to go. Exactly how it began.
What is truly remarkable is that the race has prevailed across eight momentous decades. When the inaugural Little 500 ran on May 27, 1949, the world was unlike anything we know today. Harry Truman was president of the 48 United States; Alaska and Hawaii were still territories. Rear-engine cars hadn’t yet arrived in force at the Indy 500. USAC and NHRA hadn’t yet been incorporated, and NASCAR was underway with just its second season of competition.
Chris Economaki was not yet editor of National Speed Sport News. The ubiquitous Chevrolet small-block engine was still years away. There were only a tiny handful of imported cars or trucks in America. There was no Super Bowl or March Madness. The vast majority of Americans did not have a television. Rock ‘n’ roll and rap music had not yet been invented, and music came in on the AM band. Americans traveled by train, and the Interstate highway system had not yet been built. Space travel, satellite radio and wireless images were considered science fiction. Phone booths were vitally important.
Everything as we know it has changed. Yet the Little 500 has somehow withstood the forces of those changes and continues to be one of the truly great experiences in racing. It is fact — not hyperbole — to say there is nothing like the Little 500.
A flurry of early activity has pushed the number of entries for this year’s edition to a robust 43, headlined by NASCAR veteran Ryan Newman. Newman will attempt to make his second Little 500 start aboard his own car, with nine-time Little 500 winner Eric Gordon serving as crew chief.
Five past winners are entered, including last year’s surprise victor Jake Trainor. When Trainor took the checkered flag in 2023, he was the youngest winner in Little 500 history at 18 years, 2 months and 19 days. Trainor was also honored as rookie of the year.
Three-time winners Kody Swanson and Jeff Bloom are on the entry list, along with two-time winner Tyler Roahrig and 2020 winner Bobby Santos III, who will be reverting to his traditional No. 98 car,
Nine rookies are entered at this writing, including 2023 500 Sprint Tour Rookie of the Year Jackson Macenko. Other newcomers include David Goodwill, Kaylee Bryson, Nathan Byrd, Trey Burke, Brad Allum, Anthony Nocella, Jerry Kobza and Garrett Saunders.
USAC is well represented, with Logan Seavey and Justin Grant among the entries. Seavey will return to the No. 51 car fielded by California’s Mike Phulps, with whom he finished fifth in 2023. Grant is slated to drive the Hoffman Auto Racing No. 69 previously wheeled by Brady Bacon.
This year’s race will boast a purse of $137,200 with the winner’s share set at $25,000.
The Little 500 Hall of Fame will celebrate the inductions of Rob Hoffman, Sandy Jones and Gary Schlafer on Saturday afternoon.
Throughout the past eight decades the fortunes of the Little 500 have ebbed and flowed, with the number of entries and ticket sales fluctuating through various periods. But the race has never failed to fill the field of 33 starters, lined up in 11 rows of three for the most spectacular opening lap in short-track racing.
In recent years the event has experienced a genuine renaissance, with near-sellout crowds. The race draws fans from throughout the U.S., as well as England and Australia.
On paper, the race is impossible. Sprint cars are not built for 500 laps, or to make pit stops. At the Little 500 they do both, which makes for great action during caution periods. The Little 500 takes a little over two hours to run, and from the moment the field forms up for the start until the cars fall silent, the air is electric with tension and excitement.
Electronic scoring in recent years has made the race far more enjoyable for spectators because it is much easier to follow the race when you know exactly where each car is running.
Action for this year’s race gets underway with a day of practice on Wednesday, May 22. The first round of qualifying goes on Thursday, with the final round of qualifying on Friday afternoon. The race will push at 8 p.m. on Saturday night, May 25.
The mystique of the Little 500 has captivated a great many people through the years. Many — like me — become infatuated with the event for the rest of their days. It is difficult to describe how one race can take on such an importance in one’s life, but it happens. And it continues to happen; first-time visitors often beam with excitement and vow that they’ll never miss another.
That’s the power of the Little 500. Across 75 amazing years, and still going strong.
THIS ARTICLE IS REPOSTED FROM THE APRIL 10th EDITION OF SPEED SPORT INSIDER
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