Shelby Miles has steered his cars to the clear often enough this summer to be viewed as a threat by any other driver, from Indiana or from afar, going into this weekend’s two-day extravaganza of auto racing at Brownstown Speedway.
"It’s probably the biggest races Brownstown has all year," the Bloomington driver said.
And the biggest paydays in the neighborhood.
"Unless you’re talking about driving 10 or 15 hours," Miles said of a journey well into Kentucky.
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Friday’s racing features the Indiana Pro Late Model Series Bowman 50. There will be a $10,000 payout to the winner in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
Saturday’s highlight is the 41st running of the Jackson 100 with a $15,000 first-place payoff.
"The Jackson 100 is the only 100-lap race we have," promoter Jim Price said.
This weekend attracts top local drivers and racers from some distances to the quarter-mile dirt track.
"The best of the best will be here for it," Price said. "We’ve got two complete shows."
Racing should be tense and close, but Price didn’t want to jinx things by predicting it will be great.
"I hope it’s great," Price said.
Miles has had a first-rate season, ranking first in points in the ILMS Pro Late Model standings and second in Super Late Models. He plans to race in both the 50 on Friday and the 100 on Saturday.
"It is a big weekend," Miles said. "I’ve been looking forward to this all year long."
Miles is a veteran driver who is a solid competitor on the local scene but isn’t scared of experienced drivers from out of town who might stop in because they are attracted by the five-figure purses. They provide a good test, but Miles believes several local drivers can contend with the visitors.
"Those are tough guys," Miles said. "Some of the World of Outlaws guys come. Even us local guys are pretty tough. There are a few locals who can compete, maybe two or three of us."
Dalton Fleenor of Salem is the points leader in Pure Stocks (barely ahead of Dusten Carr) and will be focused on racing the 50 Friday night.
"It’s probably the biggest deal for Brownstown," Fleenor said of the magnitude of the weekend’s racing.
Any night he can go racing is a good one, Fleenor said, but the atmosphere is more festive, the crowds usually bigger than regular racing weeks (though the coronavirus could have something to say about that), so Jackson 100 weekend can be more fun.
"I enjoy any night racing," Fleenor said. "But the more who come out, the better."
Schedules both days call for the gates to open at noon with driver registration from 2 to 5:45 p.m., a driver’s meeting at 6 p.m. and racing beginning at 6:30 p.m.
General admission for adults is $30 each day, kids 5 to 11 $10 and children 4 and under admitted free. Combination tickets can be purchased for $55 or $25. Pit admission ticket upgrades are $15 each day or a combination ticket of $30.
For information and advance ticket purchases, fans can go online to the speedway’s website at brownstownspeedway.com.
Not every class racing over the summer got a slot on the program for the weekend. Hornets could not find a home in the mix. Points leader Bryce Burton said he will not be racing over the two days and is disappointed at being left out.
"There was no room for us," said Burton, who leads Hunter Perry 541-483 in the Hornets points race.
To do well or win, it is imperative to have a fast car and drive well, but Miles said it takes more than that to pull out a victory.
"You’re always hoping you have good luck," Miles said. "You just hope you get qualified good."
Of course, he wants to be the Brownstown regular who makes a splash, but he also wants local drivers to show well against the field.
"I like to see our local guys fare well against the national guys," Miles said.
If he were to win, Miles said he wouldn’t even care if he wasn’t honored like the winning 3-year-old thoroughbred in the Kentucky Derby with a garland of roses draped around its neck.
"I will just take the check," Miles said.