STAR SPANGLED SUMMER BASH AT GRUNDY

(Morris, IL) – A talented field of Super Late Model competitors is expected to converge on Grundy County Speedway this Thursday, July 2, for the Star Spangled Summer Bash 100. The marquee event of the holiday weekend will pay $5,000 to win and serves as the next stop in the Six Pack Summer Shootout Series.

A strong lineup of 22 drivers is expected to battle for one of the biggest victories of the summer. The entry list features former track champions, marquee event winners, and some of the top Super Late Model talent from across the Midwest.

Leading the field is local favorite and former Grundy County Speedway Track Champion Paul Shafer Jr. The Portage, Indiana native has won several big events, highlighted by two Wayne Carter Classic victories, two Bettenhausen 100 wins, two Salute the Troops 100 victories, and wins in the Frank Welch Memorial and Gandrud Auto Group 250.

Also entered is former Grundy County Speedway Track Champion Ricky Baker, who enters Thursday night's Star Spangled Summer Bash 100 as the current leader of the Six Pack Summer Shootout Series standings. Baker has enjoyed a stellar season at Grundy, capturing two of the three features during the Larry Schuler Junk Yard Dog Triple 30's and winning one of the Twin 50-lap Wayne Carter Classic features earlier this year. A former Wayne Carter Classic and Bettenhausen Memorial winner, Baker has been one of the drivers to beat in 2026 and will look to extend his championship lead with another strong performance on Thursday night.

One of the most accomplished drivers ever to compete at Grundy County Speedway, Eddie Hoffman will also be among the favorites on Thursday night. Hoffman is a 10-time Grundy County Speedway Track Champion and a three-time Wayne Carter Classic winner, cementing his place as one of the track's all-time greats. His impressive resume extends well beyond Grundy, featuring two All American 400 victories, three Oktoberfest Race Weekend triumphs, a Redbud 400 victory, and a Track Championship at Illiana Motor Speedway.

Fans will also have the opportunity to watch Kulwicki Driver Development Program driver Penn Sauter, who continues to establish himself as one of the Midwest's brightest young talents. Sauter joins a stout field that includes former Grundy County Speedway Track Champions Larry Schuler, DJ Weltmeyer and Anthony Danta. Other notable entries include 5 time Snowball Derby Winner Rich Bickle and former UARA National Tour Champion Michael Atwell.

Additional entries include Bobby Gash, Andy Jones, Dennis Lyp, Scott Koerner, Alex Clubb, James Gregait, Alex Weber, Caleb Adrian, Stan Zolodz, Kyle Shear, Boris Jurkovic, Jake Weinreich, and Clay Curts, giving fans one of the deepest fields assembled at Grundy County Speedway this season.

The evening's festivities begin with Practice at 3:30pm. Super Late Model qualifying will begin at 6:00 p.m. before Opening Ceremonies and racing get underway at 6:30. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet the Super Late Model drivers during an on-track autograph session from 7:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., followed by out-of-car introductions for the Super Late Model competitors.

In addition to the 100-lap Star Spangled Summer Bash, the Midwest Pavement Midget Series and Village Realty NASCAR Pure Stocks will also be in action.