FORT WAYNE, Ind. — In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Rumble in Fort Wayne indoor midget race at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry has proclaimed Friday, Dec. 29 as “Rumble In Fort Wayne Day.”
The Silver Anniversary event will run Dec. 29-30.
In 1953, shortly after the opening of the (then) new Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, the facility hosted its first indoor auto races, inaugurating a Fort Wayne tradition. Over the next 36 years, history was made as the arena played host to the first-ever event sanctioned by the United States Auto Club in 1956, and some of the country’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent made the annual trek to the summit city, until renovations ended racing in the arena in 1989.
Then, in 1998 Ohio concert promoter, entrepreneur, and race fan Tony Barhorst along with race promoter Jack Calabrase raised the possibility of racing in the (then) new Coliseum Exposition Center, and the Rumble in Fort Wayne was born. Now under the leadership of Larry Boos, the 25th edition of the Rumble In Fort Wayne, presented by Jason Dietsch Trailer Sales roars back to life this Saturday and Sunday.
With 31 midget cars on the pre-entry list, the 2023 event looks to be wide open and primed for new winners. The diverse field includes six former winners and eight rookies on a roster that includes racers from eight states, all chasing the elusive Rumble Bell trophy.
With recent shoulder surgery relegating 12-time Rumble winner and NHRA Top Fuel rookie Tony Stewart to a car owner role for 2023, five-time winner Russ Gamester leads the list of former winners on the sixth-mile concrete oval.
Joining him on the list of returning champions are Nick Hamilton (2) and single winners Mike Fedorcak, Mario Clouser, Kyle Hamilton, and Jim Anderson.
Joining the midgets at the Rumble this year will be the Outlaw Winged 600cc Midgets, Non-Winged 600 Micro Sprints, and six divisions within the Baker Racing Engines Quarter Midgets.
The event will be streamed by SPEED SPORT affiliate PitRow.tv.