The REPORTER
A field of more than 70 cars is expected to compete July 1-2 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for one of the most prestigious prizes in the United States Auto Club NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship – victory in the BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors.
The list of past winners is impressive, with stars Brady Bacon (2018), Zeb Wise (2019), Kyle Larson (2021), Buddy Kofoid (2022), Justin Grant (2023) and Cannon McIntosh (2024) kissing the bricks on the outside wall at the start-finish line of the 1/5th-mile dirt oval inside Turn 3 at IMS.
Grant and McIntosh are among the drivers competing this year, trying to become the first two-time winners of this event that honors late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter, Noblesville’s Bryan Clauson.
Drivers representing 18 states and three countries (USA, Canada, England) are entered, with more expected early next week.
On-track action begins Tuesday at IMS with a full program of events for both the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship and the Stoops Junior Sprint Invitational. Owen and Audrey Larson, the young son and daughter of NASCAR superstar and BC39 winner Kyle Larson, are expected to drive in the Junior Sprint race.
Public gates open at 4 p.m. Tuesday, with hot laps at 6 p.m. and competition at 7 p.m. A 30-lap feature for the midgets will be the main event of the evening. Fans then can enter the track after the checkered flag for the feature and talk with drivers and see the race cars up close.
Championship night of the BC39 on Wednesday will consist of full programs for both the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship and the Stoops Junior Sprint Invitational. Public gates open at 4 p.m., followed by a driver autograph session at 4:30 in the driver merchandise area and hot laps at 6 p.m. Racing starts immediately after the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m., culminating in a 39-lap feature event for the midgets paying $20,039 to win.
Tickets are on sale at ims.com/BC39. Spectators must enter IMS via Gate 10 off 30th Street to access The Dirt Track. No entrance will be allowed through Gate 2.
For more spectator information, fans should visit the Plan Ahead site for the BC39.