FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Veteran Russ Gamester and rising star Justin Peck, who drove into the record books a year ago, head the preliminary entry list announced Friday for the 17th annual “Rumble in Fort Wayne.”
The defending winners are among nearly 40 national midget drivers entered for the expanded, three-day indoor racing classic at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center. The event is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 26-28, with a matinee the final day. Winged and non-winged outlaw midgets (600cc), karts and quarter midgets also are part of the program.
Gamester, who was less than two weeks shy of his 49th birthday, dominated on the opening night last year to become the Rumble’s oldest midget feature winner. Then Peck, a 15-year-old high school freshman, stunned a near-capacity crowd a night later, taking advantage of Gamester’s late-race blown engine to become the youngest winner.
But the stakes will be higher this year. For the first time, an overall champion driver and car owner will be crowned, with a $1,000 bonus on the line.
“That would be neat to do,” said Gamester, from Peru, Ind., who 25 years ago won the final indoor title at the former Coliseum track. “I’m pretty close to the end of my career. Seems like we always run good indoors, knock on wood.
“But you know how indoors (racing) is. Any given night can be your night. Racing is racing. Anybody can get hot and win. There are an awful lot of good cars.”
Peck, from Monrovia, Ind., echoed Gamester’s words.
“I think anybody can win it,” said Peck, pointing to his own debut at the 1/6-mile concrete track in 2012, when he finished second and third in the features. “I wouldn’t single out anybody (as a clear favorite). It could be somebody in their first year.
“Bobby Santos is awfully good. Russ Gamester. Billy Wease. It might be somebody who people haven’t really heard of, like (fellow teen) Austin Nemire. We have high hopes.”
Wease, who owns four Fort Wayne victories, returns as part of owner Randy Burrow’s four-car team. Jim Anderson, Derek Bischak, Rich Corson and Tony Stewart Racing’s Mike Fedorcak also are back among former winners.
Their challengers include 2014 champions Brian Gerster (Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series), Chris Neuenschwander (USSA Sprint Car Challenge Series), Kyle O’Gara (USAC National Pavement midgets) and Nemire (USAC HPD Midwest Pavement Midwest Dirt midgets).
National midgets and non-winged dirt modified midgets will race all three days, joined by winged outlaw modified midgets on Saturday and Sunday. Karts (Friday and Saturday) and quarter midgets (Saturday and Sunday) round out the event. Gates open at 11 a.m. each day, with the main portion of the program at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Among the other 2013 feature winners who are returning in the same class are Erick Rudolph in winged outlaw midgets; Blane Culp in non-winged outlaw midgets; Brandon Dunn, A.J. Geren, Gene Gregoric III, Dustin Heath and Ryan Moran, all in karts; and Zeb Wise, Chase Burda and Koulten Herbert in quarter midgets.
In all, 232 entries were received by the pre-race deadline. Entries continue to be accepted, Rumble Series president Tony Barhorst said.
Longtime broadcaster Jack Arute will host special guests Saturday and Sunday in the Pressbox Suite Club. Purchase of a VIP package includes dinner with Hall of Fame driver Tom Bigelow on Saturday, lunch with IndyCar team owner Sarah Fisher on Sunday, pit access and pressbox-level seating. Top Rumble drivers will visit the suites on Friday. All will participate in question-and-answer sessions.
In addition, the Evans Toyota Fan Zone will feature race cars and other displays.
More information, including the event schedule, ticket prices, VIP suite seating and “racer’s rate” hotels, is available at www.rumbleseries.com. Tickets will be available at the door each day, and fans may purchase pit passes at the event to see drivers up close as teams prepare their cars.
MIDGETS (NATIONAL/REGIONAL/FOCUS/KENYON CAR)
No. Driver/Hometown Entrant/Sponsor/Chassis/Engine
1 Nick Hamilton/Danville, IN Gregg Steele/Curtis Motor Sales/Beast/Ford Focus
1g Bobby Santos III/Franklin, MA Fred Gormly/RPM Automotive Enterprises/Shores/Volkswagen
4 Anthony Nocella/Woburn, MA Seymour Enterprises/Seymour Enterprises – Lucas Oil – Autocraft Engines – The Racer’s Expo/Hawk/Autocraft Volkswagen
5x +Justin Peck/Monrovia, IN Steve Clay/Duracoat Products/Beast/Autocraft Volkswagen
6 David Gough/Machesney Park, IL David Gough/DSR Motorsports – Manic Racing/Thompson/Autocraft Volkswagen
8 Chris Neuenschwander/New Haven Tony Neuenschwander/J.C. Automotive NAPA – Pro Strip – Metal X/Shores/Volkswagen
8up Joe Liguori/Lebanon, IN Randall Williams/C&R Radiators – Randall Williams – SWS Racing/Jacobs/Pontiac
9 Matt Westfall/Pleasant Hill, OH Dave & Bonna Ryder/Hawk Chassis – The Shop – T&W Collision/Hawk/Autocraft Volkswagen
9r Ross Rankine/Indianapolis Eric Rankine/Impact Racing – Jegs – K&N Filters/Beast/Honda
10 Geoff Kaiser/Fort Wayne Moore Racing Enterprises LLC/Don Moore Music Publications – www.clickdonmoore.com/Beast/Autocraft Volkswagen
14 Cooper Clouse/Ohio City, OH Jeff Clouse/Hawk Chassis/Munchkin by Hawk/Volkswagen
15 +Rich Corson/Markham, IL Rich Corson/Dimmick’s Water & Sewer – Autism Awareness/Hawk/Fontana
15k Branson Dils/Parkersburg, WV John Chambers & Mark Knupp/Mark Knupp Muffler & Tire – AdvoCare – mixitwithwater.com – RPM Surfer – SRI/Stock Car Steel – Bowersock Signs-N-Lines/Kenyon Car/Yamaha
19 Russ Belt/Van Wert, OH Russ Belt/Pro Strip – Hawk Chassis – Widow Wax/Hawk Munchkin/Autocraft Volkswagen
19 Austin Nemire/Sylvania, OH Tom O’Connell/Hemelgarn Enterprises – Nemire-Yager Racing – O’Connell Motorsports/Hawk/Volkswagen
20 Matt Janisch/Nazareth, PA Mike Osite/Lowbed Johnson – Metz Racing/Munchkin/Volkswagen
22 Patrick Bruns/Champaign, IL Ken Grskovic/MWR Racing – Z’s Pinstriping – Acro-Bat Classic Auto/Beast/Brayton Buick
24 Cory Setser/Fort Wayne Curtis Setser/Setser Transport – Hunt Performance – Physical Medicine Consultants – Speed Chasers Inc./Munchkin/Volkswagen
27 Taylor Jagger/Warsaw, IN Chris Jagger/Hinchman – J&N Stone – O’Reilly Auto Parts – Suspension Springs/Hawk/Brayton Buick
27 Kyle O’Gara/Beech Grove, IN Brian Lawson/Indy Trading Post – IndyGunShop.com/Kenyon Car/Yamaha
31 +Derek Bischak/Indianapolis Bob Bischak/Angola Collision Services – Snap-on Tools/Spike/J&D Ford
32j Chris Jagger Jr./North Manchester, IN Chris Jagger/Suspension Springs – Hinchman – O’Reilly Auto Parts – Cottage Watchman – J&N Stone/Spike/Gaerte Brayton
33 Kyle Hamilton/Danville, IN Mike Hamilton/Curtis Motor Sales – Spike Chassis – Walker Construction/Spike/Esslinger
36a Kevin Atkins/Warsaw, IN Kevin Atkins/In Memory of Bimbo Atkins – Wheeler Mechanical Services LLC/Shores/Volkswagen
41 Alex Watson/Columbus, OH Wally Sexton/SWS Racing/Stealth/Ford Focus
45 Spencer Bayston/Lebanon, IN 3-K Racing Enterprises Inc./3-K Racing Enterprises Inc./Kenyon Car/Yamaha
46 +Russ Gamester/Peru, IN Gamester Racing Inc./Gamester’s Green Gable Village Mobile Home Park/Grant King/Volkswagen
49 Joey Burrow/Noblesville, IN Randy Burrow/Burco Molding – Advanced Racing Suspensions/Kenyon/Volkswagen
57r Shayne Riley/Kokomo, IN Troy & Michelle Riley/Riley/Riley/Pontiac
59 Bryan Nuckles/Canal Winchester, OH Jerry & John Nuckles/Columbus Motor Speedway – Brian’s Automotive/Strei-Tech/Volkswagen
61 Jimmy McCune/Toledo, OH Mel Kenyon/Print Image/Kenyon/Gaerte Buick
63 Rex Norris III/Spiceland, IN Rex Norris Jr./R. Norris Co. Inc. – PGG Enterprises – Brands Insurance/Predator/Esslinger
74 Lynsey Liguori/Lebanon, IN Randall Williams/Randall Williams – SWS Racing/Beast/Fontana
78 Brandon Knupp/Sidney, OH John Chambers/Mark Knupp Muffler & Tire – Autocraft Engines – AdvoCare – mixitwithwater.com – RPM Surfer – SRI/Stock Car Steel – Bowersock Signs-N-Lines/LTC/Autocraft Volkswagen
88 Chris Jagger/Warsaw, IN Chris Jagger/J&N Stone – Cottage Watchman – Suspension Springs – O’Reilly Auto Parts – Hinchman/Hawk/Chevrolet
92 Michael Marzolf/Noblesville, IN Randy Burrow/Burco Molding – Advanced Racing Suspensions/Kenyon Car/Yamaha
97 +Mike Fedorcak/Roanoke Tony Stewart Racing/Physical Medical Consultants/Munchkin/Autocraft Volkswagen
98 Brian Gerster/Fishers, IN Randy Burrow/Burco Molding – Advanced Racing Suspensions/Edmunds/Volkswagen
99 +Jim Anderson/Joliet, IL Guess Racing Ltd./D’Arcy GMC of Joliet – Packard Transport – Turk’s Collision/Ellis/Mopar
99 +Billy Wease/Noblesville, IN Randy Burrow/Burco Molding – Advanced Racing Suspensions – Wease Masonry/Fedorcak-Burrow/Volkswagen
+former Rumble in Fort Wayne feature winner
2013 RUMBLE IN FORT WAYNE CHAMPIONS: Russ Gamester (first night) and Justin Peck (second night)
TRACK QUALIFYING RECORD: Tony Stewart, 7.323 seconds (Dec. 30, 2005)
WINGED OUTLAW MODIFIED MIDGETS (600cc)
No. Driver/Hometown Entrant/Sponsor/Chassis/Engine
7f Matt Farnham/Tonawanda, NY Matt Farnham, Charlie Farnham & Tom Mindeler/CJ Construction/Lafler/NPS
007 Ginny Quinones/Charlotte, NC Advanced Products & Services/It’s Finished Chroming – Adam’s Performance – Bob Schacht Motorsports – Aeromotive Fuel Systems/Hyper-APS-Cicconi/Kawasaki
11b Drew Dorsett/Monrovia, IN Bill Sager Jr./Sutphen Fire Truck Equipment – Kear’s Speed Shop/Hyper/Suzuki
11r Chase Ridenour/Perry, MI Rick Ridenour/Ridenours Auto Repair & Towing – Long’s Transmission – David M. Nichols Excavating/Hyper/Yamaha
14 A.J. Lesiecki/Lorain, OH AJD Racing/The Outdoor Option – Greber Machine Tool Inc./Hyper/Suzuki
17 Cap Henry/Bellevue, OH Henry MotorSports Inc./Henry MotorSports Inc. – Sonny’s Machine Shop – Keizer Wheels – Genzman Motorsports/WAG/Yamaha
20 Ben Quinones/Indian Trail, NC Advanced Products & Services/It’s Finished Chroming – Adam’s Performance/Hyper/Kawasaki
22 Erick Rudolph/Ransomville, NY Jim Lafler/Lafler Chassis – Niagara Power Sports Racing Engines/Lafler/Kawasaki
26 Howard McCormick/Martinsville, IN Bill Sager Jr./Kear’s Speed Shop – Sutphen Fire Truck Equipment/Hyper/Suzuki
29 Rusty Strausbaugh/Columbus, OH Rusty Strausbaugh/Shark Chassis/Shark/Suzuki
57 Tyler Fitzpatrick/Goshen, IN Joseph Fitzpatrick/Suspension Spring Specialist – After Hours Racing/Hyper/Kawasaki
84 Bill Dunham/Bellevue, MI T&E Racing/Concept Chassis/Concept/Yamaha
94 John Ivy/Fremont, OH Henry MotorSports Inc./Sonny’s Machine Shop – Henry MotorSports Inc./HMC 01/Yamaha
2013 RUMBLE IN FORT WAYNE CHAMPIONS: Erick Rudolph (first night) and Matt Janisch (second night)
NON-WINGED DIRT MODIFIED MIDGETS (600cc)
No. Driver/Hometown Entrant/Sponsor/Chassis/Engine
6 Kim Hughes/Rives Junction, MI Steve & Teresa Hughes/Finish Line Expediting – JD Building Services – Mom, Dad & Grandparents/Hyper/Honda
9 Mike Fedorcak/Roanoke Mike Fedorcak/Physical Medicine Consultants/BullRider/Suzuki
10r Ryan Ball/Angola, IN Michael Ball/TLA Signs – S&T Auto Body – Premier Restorations/Stallard/Honda
11 Ethan Foster/Angola Kathy Foster/Coretech/RTS/Suzuki
12 Richard Smith/Syracuse, IN Richard Smith/Sroufe’s Garage – Keeker Sales/Sawyer/Yamaha
14 Matt Janisch/Nazareth, PA Ted Jones/Ted Jones Motorsports – Lowbed Johnson – Metz Racing/Stallard/GSXR
21 Clay Sanders/Holt, MI Gary L. Sanders/Gary L. Sanders/Hyper/Kawasaki
21 Larry Joe Sroufe/Larwill, IN Larry J. Sroufe/Sroufe’s Garage – Busz Custom Graphics – Star Tire – MaximumDirt.com/Sroufe/Yamaha
24 Jonathon Lesiecki/Lorain, OH AJD Racing/The Outdoor Option – Greber Machine Tool Inc./Stealth/Suzuki
32 Erick Rudolph/Ransomville, NY Jim Lafler/Lafler Chassis – Niagara Power Sports Racing Engines/Lafler/Suzuki
34 Blane Culp/Columbia City Dave Culp/MaximumDirt.com/Sroufe/Yamaha
40 Mike Stahl/Columbia City Mike Stahl/Penguin Point/Sawyer/Yamaha
48 Jeremy Howe/Angola Jeremy Howe & Ethan Foster/Autokraft Auto Body – Angola Collision – 21 Sales & Promotions/Hoopty II/Kawasaki
49 Russ Gamester/Peru, IN Gamester Racing Products LLC/GRP Chassis – Gamester Racing Products/GRP/Yamaha
51 Jason Ormsby/Warsaw, IN Jon Ormsby/Jon’s Custom Services Excavating Contractor – Pro Strip/Durable/Yamaha
68 Gary Klein/Claypool, IN Gary Klein/Streamliner Family Restaurant – Tucker’s Golden Beef Farms – Beaver Dam Property Maintenance/Fasttrax/Suzuki
69 Braiden Black/Peru, IN Todd Black/Finer Detail Graphics & Design – Cooley’s Bar & Grill – GRP Chassis/GRP/Yamaha
69 Blake Lamb/Warsaw, IN Brandie Lamb/Conley Trucking – Property Maintenance – Lamb Graphix/FTX-Yamaha
74h Drew Rader/Findlay, OH Steve Allen/Heitmeyer Concrete/Stealth/Yamaha
77 Caleb Woods/Goshen, IN Caleb Woods/Cornwell Tools/Concept/Yamaha
83jr Phil Bozell/Portage, MI Jeff Wolfersberger/Next Generation Lawn Care – Sweet Mfg. – Bullet Driveline & Suspension – Barrett’s Smokehouse – Lynn Peterson Amsoil – Learning Zone Preschool & Childcare – Lakeview Ford – Freedom Firearms/Concept/Yamaha
93 Nick Eastin/West Terre Haute, IN Vern Eastin/Vern Eastin Trucking/Doemelt/Kawasaki
2013 RUMBLE IN FORT WAYNE CHAMPIONS: Tom Fraschetta (first night) and Blane Culp (second night)