Tony Stewart, celebrated NASCAR legend and current NHRA Top Fuel points leader, will headline an elite group of drivers in the Thursday Night Thunder Heroes Race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on June 26, an event designed to honor Irish Saunders and set to showcase eight well-known motorsports figures in a thrilling pavement midget showdown. The Tony Stewart Indianapolis Raceway Park race draws widespread attention as both NASCAR icons and racing veterans prepare to compete on a historic oval.
Motorsports Veterans Return to Iconic Indianapolis Track
Stewart, known as “Smoke,” has a storied history at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, racing there regularly before his NASCAR Hall of Fame induction and earning victories in USAC Silver Crown, Midget, and Sprint Car events at this venue. His most recent appearance came in May 2024, driving a Ford Crown Vic and further deepening his connection to the track that helped shape his career.
This upcoming race marks a unique opportunity for Stewart and fellow NHRA drivers to trade their usual straight-line action for wheel-to-wheel battles on the famed oval. Among them, three-time NHRA world champion Ron Capps will make his debut at Indianapolis Raceway Park, piloting the No. 29 Allstar Midget for Matt Seymour Racing. Capps brings experience from the Chili Bowl in 2004 and the SRX event at Eldora Speedway in 2023, demonstrating his adaptability across different forms of motorsport.
Celebrated Drivers Join the Thursday Night Thunder Heroes Race
Sammy Swindell, a five-time Chili Bowl Nationals victor, will add to the competitive field, having made six prior starts at this track and achieving a strong fourth-place finish in the Midget Allstar Special in August 2023. Swindell’s impressive record makes him a driver to watch in this high-profile race.
Daytona 500 winner and Indianapolis native Ryan Newman is set to compete, bringing a wealth of experience from over 50 starts at Indianapolis Raceway Park. After a successful NASCAR tenure, Newman has remained active, racing in the SMART Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and prestigious events such as the Little 500, further solidifying his reputation among short track enthusiasts.
Levi Jones, a seven-time USAC champion, is set for his first competitive start since 2015, returning to the driver’s seat while currently serving as the General Manager at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. His participation adds another historic layer to this event, as team owners, track officials, and fans look forward to his comeback.
Additional Competitors and Race Details
Joining the esteemed lineup are former IndyCar driver Davey Hamilton, National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Brad Noffsinger, and Michael Lewis. This diverse and accomplished roster of drivers promises an exciting competition as they prepare to showcase their skills on the oval in front of passionate fans and racing professionals alike.
The 20-lap Thursday Night Thunder Heroes Race will coincide with a separate 30-lap All-Star Pavement Midget feature, with both races available live on FloRacing. These events will collectively celebrate motorsports heritage, providing both entertainment and nostalgia for longtime supporters of oval and midget racing at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
By assembling a lineup that includes celebrated champions and returning veterans, the Tony Stewart Indianapolis Raceway Park race pays tribute to the sport’s past while generating anticipation for the track’s future, ensuring a night of memorable action and renewed rivalries for fans and participants.
