USAC in conjunction with NASCAR has "confirmed the debut of a midget car race" at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of the Brickyard 400 weekend in September, according to Jim Ayello of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. The event has been "dubbed the Driven2SaveLives BC39," in memory of late dirt track driver Bryan Clauson, and it will "take place over two days, Wednesday, Sept. 5 and Thursday Sept. 6." That Thursday's 39-lap event "will be the richest midget car racing event in recent history," as it will feature a "purse of more than $70,000 and incentives, including a $15,000 winner's purse -- the largest in midget racing." The "purse, grand stage and connection with Clauson is expected to draw some of the biggest names in racing." NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has "committed to participating," and Kyle Larson is "expected to participate." IMS President Doug Boles said that IndyCar drivers and competitors from other series are "welcome to participate, though that will be up to the individual drivers and their teams." Boles said that the "goal is to get the BC39 on TV, but nothing has been finalized." He added that IMS "plans to add bleachers around the near-quarter-mile race track on the inside of Turn 3." However, he "could not yet confirm what the capacity will be nor if the track will open up the Turn 3 grandstands" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/27).
