INDIANAPOLIS — Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is set to host one of the oldest and most prestigious sprint car races in the country this Saturday. The James/O’Connor Memorial has been run as a non-winged pavement sprint car, winged sprint car, and USAC Silver Crown event in the past. Last year Salem Speedway chose to not run any open-wheel events and the race appeared to be in limbo. The event inaugurated at Salem Speedway in 1953 to honor Joe James who was killed in a racing accident at San Jose Speedway in 1952. The race ran consecutively at Salem Speedway through 1980 until a Tornado did severe damage to the speedway. The race carried on at Salem until last year when it was moved to IRP. This Saturday the Joe James / Pat O’Connor lives on thanks to Kasey Coler, IRP, and the 500 Sprint Car Tour.

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