Eric is the son of Irish and Sheila Saunders, friends of Hoosier Tire Midwest and www.racetires.com. Irish is the Contract Sales manager for HOOSIER Racing Tire, Inc.

Currently Eric has no feeling from his belly button down. Friends of Eric will be selling t-shirts, stickers, and wrist bands this weekend at RedBud’s open ride on September 6th. There will also be a Suzuki RM125 for sale with all proceeds going to help the Saunders family. Anybody who is not able to buy a shirt at an event can do so through multiple websites:

www.newtonpark.org

www.ericsaunders.net

www.hoosiertire.com

Irish, Eric, and the whole Saunders family would like to thank everyone for all of their support. The racing industry is a huge industry. However, it is great to see that the racing community is very close, supportive, and giving.

Eric is alert and in good spirits. He has no doubt in his mind that he can beat this and that this will only be a set back. Eric is determined to prove that he is not a quitter and that this injury will not change him. Oddly enough the accident and subsequent injuries that Eric sustained took place on his 18th birthday…….

www.ericsaunders.net will be the official source for updates on Eric Saunders recovery. There will be daily updates to let people know of Eric’s progress. A guest book is also being established so that Eric can read all of your comments.

Anyone interested in donating money please make checks payable to :
Newton Park
65465 U.S. 31
Lakeville, IN 46536

For purchasing t-shirts please use our online order form.

Hoosier Racing Tire – (574)784-3152

Newton Park – (574)784-5644

Prodigy Marketing – (574)274-4333

Thank you for your help and support!

Terry Young, Show Coordinator would like to send a THANK YOU to all who played a part in this years event and looks forward to the 8th Annual MIDWEST Speed Expo as the show returns in 2011 to the Richard Orr Building upon the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

At this years show Young also crowned the 3rd Annual MIDWEST SPEED Driver of the Year and the honors were bestowed upon Jason Feger of Bloomington, Illinois. Being named the award winner and accepting the $500 cash award that goes hand in hand with the honor just capped what was a dream season for the young gun from Bloomington.

Affecionately known as the “Highside Hustler”,. Feger picked up numerous honors the previous night at the U.M.P. Awards Banquet held at the Crowne Plaza. At that event he was honored as the 2009 UMP National Champion as well as the Monster Midwest Late Model Series Champion. Feger experienced his best season in his career and looks to expand on his resume in 2010.

In related news, the United Midwestern Promoters UMP DIRTcar Series annual national awards dinner and banquet will return to Springfield and the Crowne Plaza on January 08, 2011.

If you park in the normal lot on the East side of the building I suggest you walk around and use the South entrance where the lighted marquis is on the building….

I really apologize for any inconvenience… beyond my control as I only rent the building and have no way of fixing the problem, all part of living in the Heartland I suppose! TO TRY TO MAKE UP FOR THE INCONVENIENCE…. DOOR ENTRY HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM $7.00 to $5.00 each day…… come see us, the building is nice and warm, the coffee will be hot and the deals will be smokin! And if that isn’t enough to entice you, some of the SPEED CHICKS will be on hand and they are so hot you will feel like you are in the Bahamas!

Look forward to seeing you all this weekend…. Show hours are 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Saturday and Sunday January 09 and 10. The vendor roster is full and will have tons of great deals for all those looking for parts, graphics, lubricants, trailers, motors, chassis and most all components you need for anything from a quarter midget to a sprint car, a 4 cylinder hornet to a late model!

The ORR Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is the place to be on Saturday or Sunday.. and don’t forget, if you purchase your UMP license at
the show, your one day entry into the trade show is FREE and if you compete at the DIRTCAR Roundup at I-55 Pevely, your entry fee for that event will also be waived as well!

Plan on getting your license at the show and be ahead of the game… and save money at the same time.

The show is just around the corner and is SOLD OUT on vendor spaces. This promises to be the best Expo yet to hit the Midwest area. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to look over both new and used parts for alltypes of racing as well as catching the show specials from many of the vendors including IMPACT Racing Equipment, WEHR’S Machine, Dan Griffin Racing, MuddBoss Video, Double J Racing Photo’s, Bassett Wheel, T.C. Collectibles, Brickler Racing, UB Machine, Landrum Springs, Allgaier Motorsports, Track Data Systems, Diamond Race Cars, Mackay Engines, R2C Products, Impressive Race Cars, Hawkeye Racing News, Allen Automotive, Amsoil Products Tim Crumpler, Coyer Enterprises, P&G Kean, Chizmark Insurance, Jason Feger Racing, Advanced Racing Suspension, Mullin’s Automotive, Dyer’s Top Rods, Joe Gibbs Oil, QS Components, GSR, SHEPP’S Speedway, Brian Dively Racing, Larry Bunning Racing, Larry Bantz, Gary Cook, Midwest Modified Madness, Speed Services, Steve Sheppard Racing, Bill West Enterprises, Monster Midwest Tour, Bob Gibson Racing, Sixteen Racing Products Tony Izzo, Jr., Lincoln Speedway, Chad Evans, Abe Lincoln Quarter Midget Association, Roy Mitchell, Precision Plastic Products, SCP, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Emsee Paint Matt Carver, Lou Fusz Chevrolet, Brake & Clutch Exchange, Rick Thomas, B&J Embroidery, Big D’s Vinyl, Scogin Enterprises, Jerry Myers Racing, Dean Garland New and Used Parts, DASCO Supply, Wildside Graphic’s, B&S Race Fabrication, Arizona Sport Shirts, Dirtheads, Arizona Promotions Dearl Gilbert, New Vision Graphics, E&E Racing, Christian County Quarter Midget Association, C&D Supply, Midstate Kart Club, Russ Kemple Racing, Primo Design, KBC Graphix, Tommy Sheppard Racing, Strip Masters, 4m.net, Alliance Motorsports, J.B.Wood, Chad Simpson Racing, Night Hawk Race Cars, Indiana Decal Co., U.M.P. Apparel, Marvin Burton, Mag’s Racing, Brian McLemore, Track Enterprises, Out-Pace Racing Products, Aggressive Signs, BK Sportswear, Dodd Signs, Justin Duckworth Racing, Carnes and Sons Trailer World, Wick Oil, Alan Motley, Highland Speedway, Kankakee County Speedway, Northern All Star Late Model Series, GOTTA RACE and Speed Chicks!

Show hours for the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO are 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on both Saturday and Sunday.

What better way to spend a wintery Saturday or Sunday just before the start of the new season? The MIDWEST SPEED EXPO is your opportunity to look over and purchase both new and used parts for your racing program as well as to talk with representatives from area tracks to catch up on any rule changes. Also on hand will be representatives from chassis manufacturers as well as shock, wheel, fuel, tires and safety equipment to answer any questions you may have.

On Sunday the 3rd Annual Midwest Speed “DRIVER of the YEAR” will be named and awarded in memory of my mother Cindy Young. The award will include $500.00 cash and products for the winning driver! The winner will join last years co-winners Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Illinois and Justin Allgaier of Riverton, Illinois and Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, IL., winner of the inaugural award.

Make this a family event and bring the kids out for a day of action packed fun! Make your plans now and mark your calendar and don’t miss this event! Admission is just $7.00 for adults with a $2.00 discount offered to all U.M.P., I.M.C.A. and Northern All Star Late Model Series members when you present your membership card at the door! Children under 10 are admitted free!

Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.midwestspeed.net or calling Show Coordinator Terry Young at (217) 553-1963.

Springfield Hotels: RAMADA SPRINGFIELD NORTH HOTEL Springfield IL

4m.net, the pioneer in the fan forum message board arena will be on hand at the show and will be joined by some of the calendar girls from Speed Chicks.net as well as representatives from the Indiana Decal Co. and Arizona Sport Shirt and GOTTA RACE to meet and greet race fans and show attendees.

Show hours for the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO are 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on both Saturday and Sunday. The shortened hours on Saturday will allow more time for exhibitors to prepare for attendance at the United Midwestern Promoters UMP DIRTcar Racing banquet held in Springfield in conjunction with the expo. The banquet will return to the luxurious CROWNE PLAZA Hotel located conveniently off of Interstate 55 on Dirksen Parkway.

What better way to spend a wintery Saturday or Sunday just before the start of the new season? The MIDWEST SPEED EXPO is your opportunity to look over and purchase both new and used parts for your racing program as well as to talk with representatives from area tracks to catch up on any rule changes. Also on hand will be representatives from chassis manufacturers as well as shock, wheel, fuel, tires and safety equipment to answer any questions you may have.

On Sunday the 3rd Annual Midwest Speed “DRIVER of the YEAR” will be named and awarded in memory of my mother Cindy Young. The award will include $500.00 cash and products for the winning driver! The winner will join last years co-winners Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Illinois and Justin Allgaier of Riverton, Illinois and Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, IL., winner of the inaugural award.

Make this a family event and bring the kids out for a day of action packed fun! Make your plans now and mark your calendar and don’t miss this event! Admission is just $7.00 for adults with a $2.00 discount offered to all U.M.P., I.M.C.A. and Northern All Star Late Model Series members when you present your membership card at the door! Children under 10 are admitted free!

Other associate sponsors of the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO include UMP DIRTcar Racing, Arizona Sport Shirt, GOTTA RACE, www.4m.net , Indiana Decal Co., www.speedchicks.net , Donley Trucking, Behind the PIT WALL, Dave Poske Performance Parts, Rock Auto, Decatur Used Cars, DYER’S Top Rod, Marine Bank, Hurst, Wright & Hafel, LLP, Gates, Wise & Schlosser, PC, OUTLAWD Motorsports, Hoosier Tire Midwest, HOOSIER Racing Tire, www.midwestracin.com, BUDDA BERT Transmissions, STLRacing.com, MUDDBOSS Video, Northern All Stars Late Model Series, DR of BBQ, RaceCastLive.com, Eric Grigsby Racing Photos, Double J, MidwestDirtTrackfacts.com, RaceTires.com, DirtonDirt.com, Luv racin.com , Rick Schwallie Photography, DIRT NATION, RaceXR.com.

Limited exhibitor space remains available at a cost of $65.00 for a 10’ X 10’ booth. For information contact Terry Young at (217) 553-1963.

Justin Allgaier of Riverton, Illinois, whose family owned team claimed the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Championship for 2008 by winning the most races on the schedule and Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Illinois who claimed the 2008 United Midwestern Promoters (U.M.P.) National Modified Division Championship were named DRIVER of the YEAR and both received 5′ trophies and a check for $500 as Show Coordinator Terry Young announced the winners of the award which is to be given annually in memory of his mother who passed away in 2007 after a battle with lung cancer.

Terry Young Midwest Speed, Inc, Jeff Leka and Roger Chandler, President of Marine Bank and sponsor of the Driver of the Year Award - Erik Grigsby Photo

The duo join Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, IL. who was the inner of the inaugural award in 2008.

Show coordinator Young stated that it was a tough year to try to choose a winner of the award with Erb bettering his 2008 season and obviously deserving of consideration again, additionally an outstanding effort was put forth by Springfield native Tim Wilkerson who finished in the runner up spot in the NHRA Funny Car division. “There are always so many people who deserve an award like this and deciding a winner is always tough, we try our best to give the award to someone deserving and I feel both of these young men exemplify hard work, family participation and a dedication to the sport”.

Terry Young Midwest Speed, Inc, Justin Allgaier and Roger Chandler, President of Marine Bank and sponsor of the Driver of the Year Award - Erik Grigsby Photo

The award is given annually in conjunction with the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO racers Swap Meet and Trade Show held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in the Richard Orr Building.