(Salem, IN): As the Halloween season quickly approaches, that means only one thing to race fans… The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers Halloween 200 weekend at Salem Speedway.
The 2023 edition will be the 35th annual race at the historic high banks of Salem Speedway.
The car count has dwindled over the past few years, with 34 entries into the 200-lap event for the 2023 running of the annual fall event.
Owensboro will be represented in this year’s event as three entries into the event will be coming from “The Big O.”
Heath Helton is this year’s Great American Street Stocks champion at the track, and hopes to complete a perfect season with claiming the Halloween 200 win in his 4th attempt.
“Winning the Halloween 200 means everything to me. I’ve been going there basically my entire life, watching and waiting for the opportunity one day. This year is my best chance to date and plan to take full advantage,” said Helton.
Owensboro’s Brett Hudson is making his 19th start in the event and is looking for his 6th win in the Halloween 200.
Hudson says he hasn’t really done anything different to prepare for the 2023 running of the event.
“I haven’t really done much different this year than in years past. We have a pretty good setup and are in contention to win every year, so just a few fine tunes and tweaks here and there to try something different and hope to be better,” said Hudson.
Tyler Nicely has had a successful season in 2023 with claiming the Dirtcar UMP National Title as well as the 20203 Summer Nationals Championship in his 2-5 Open Wheel Modified, in addition to promoting Rockport Raceway. Nicely will make his first start on Sunday in the Halloween 200.
“I’ve been going there a few years now with Brett Hudson. We built a car a few years ago and never got to go up there and never got to race it. I’ve always wanted to go and all the stars aligned this year and we were able to purchase a car. John Hayden’s been working on it all week. I’m looking forward to getting up there this weekend,” said Nicely.
In addition to the Owensboro entries for Sunday, Tyler Payne and Chris Hagan Jr are entered into Saturday’s Spooky 200 for the Ford Crown Victorias.
For more information on the event, visit the Salem Speedway Facebook Page.
-Blake Smith, host of Let’s Talk Racing
