West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame to be presenting sponsor for Turkey Night Grand Prix
For the second consecutive year, The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame will be the presenting sponsor of the United States Auto Club-sanctioned 83rd Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix to be held Nov. 30 at Southern California’s Ventura Raceway.
The organization’s sponsorship includes a $10,000 contribution to the Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix feature purse, boosting the winner’s share to $15,000. The remaining $5,000 will be distributed to other starting positions.
The USAC Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix is the longest running West Coast auto race event, dating to 1934. It began as the traditional season ending event at Gilmore Stadium in Los Angeles and was held on Thanksgiving Day.
After calling many Southern California tracks home – including a 30-year run at Ascot Park – the event is midget racing’s most prestigious outdoor race and is second only to Tulsa’s Chili Bowl.
JC Agajanian Sr revived the Midget Grand Prix as the Gilmore Grand Prix in 1956. “Turkey Night” was adopted in 1975. Agajanian Promotions handles promotional duties regardless of venue. The race has been held at Ventura Raceway since 2016.
“The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is very excited to be able to diversify their major event sponsorship once again with the 83rd running of the famed Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame. “Over the 23 years since the Hall was first introduced, we have strived to recognize different events in western America. To reconnect with Turkey Night – the oldest traditional motorsports event within our areas of recognition – is just another accomplishment for the Hall and the sport of motor racong.”
Indianapolis 500 winners who also won Turkey Night are Johnnie Parsons, Parnelli Jones, and A.J. Foyt. Other notable winners include Tony Bettenhausen, Gary Bettenhausen, Bubby Jones, Chuck Gurney, Stan Fox, Jason Leffler (two), Tony Stewart, Dave Darland, and Bryan Clauson.
Ron Shuman has the most Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix wins with eight. Kyle Larson has four victories; Bob Swanson, Billy Boat, and Christopher Bell have three apiece.
Reigning Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix winner Larson, a former NASCAR Cup Series champion, is expected to compete in 2024
This year’s weekend also features Ultimate Sprint Car Series (USCS) sprint cars.
The 2024 Turkey Night Grand Prix Grand Marshals are Jimmy Sills, a West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee; and Ron Shaver, for more than three decades the leading powerplant builder for many championship teams in multiple national racing series.
Schedule:
Friday, Nov. 29. Grandstands open at 3 p.m. USCS sprint car hot laps, qualifying and full racing program with top 40 transferring to Saturday night’s event.
Saturday, Nov. 30. Grandstands open at 3 p.m. USCS sprint car last chance races and 30-lap feature. Turkey Night Grand Prix midget hot laps, qualifying, semis and 98-lap feature.
Advance tickets can be purchased at venturaraceway.com. Additional information is available at 805-648-7223.
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