LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The annual tradition continues in just one month — the tradition of the sprint car racing masses congregating upon Little Rock as I-30 Speedway hosts the 34th Annual COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires.
This year’s $10,041-to-win tilt will take place on Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 on the high-banked 1/4-mile clay oval.
A Thursday night Test N’ Tune session will precede Friday’s preliminary action followed up by Saturday night’s championship slate of events.
An event with such great tradition that boasts a past winner’s list with names such as Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Christopher Bell and Brad Sweet, it’s also an event that continues to evolve. This year’s rendition offers up a format that is a melding of All Star Circuit of Champions and Sprintcar Classic formats.
Friday’s preliminary event will be contested under a derivative of the All Star format with group qualifying setting heat race lineups. The Friday preliminary will conclude with Twin 20s, a pair of $1,500-to-win 20-lap features. The top two from each of the Twin 20s will be locked into Saturday night’s Dash for Cash and the championship event.
Event points accumulated from Friday night’s qualifying, heat races and features will set Saturday night heat race lineups with more points from Saturday’s heats setting the balance of Saturday night feature lineups. Additionally, the top two in accumulated points after Saturday heats will join the four Friday night lock-ins for the Dash for Cash.
The adjusted format will only amp up the intensity each time the cars are on track, likely making for yet another legendary edition of the Short Track Nationals.
Last year, Sam Hafertepe Jr. finally broke into STN championship victory lane for the first time after three previous preliminary wins and three runner-up finishes. The Sunnyvale, Texas racer battled past Roger Crockett at the midway point and went on to become the 19th different STN winner ahead of Derek Hagar and Crockett.
Hall of Famers Sammy Swindell and Gary Wright top the STN victory charts with five and four triumphs respectively.