Picture this: the scent of gasoline filling your nose, the deafening roar of massive combustion engines accelerating down the straightaways, the vibrations of thunderous applause and boisterous cheers resonating in your chest.
Seem familiar?
Then perhaps you’ve journeyed over to the Gas City I-69 Speedway before.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, the speedway, located at 5871 E 500 S, Gas City, IN, will be hosting its final event of the season.
This upcoming event will feature the sixth and final iteration of the “Chase for the Derrick” competition. Racers collected points in the preceding five special events with top 10 finishers in points getting the nod to compete for cash prizes and a custom trophy.
The Gas City I-69 Speedway originally opened in 1986, but the track has taken a hiatus from hosting competitions a couple of times since its inception, including one in 2020.
“I think it’s something everyone at Taylor should do before they graduate,” Taylor University senior Will Riddell said.
Some students have had the opportunity to attend the speedway for a pick-a-date hosted by either hall wings or floors.
Earplugs and eye protection are a must at the track.
“Make sure to stay back from the fence or you’ll be hit by plenty of mud,” Jack Mulkey, a recent Taylor alum, said.
The track itself is made of clay, which gets torn up every race by quickly spinning tires hurling small chunks into the air.
“It’s quite the experience,” Riddell said. “You’re right up by the track. It’s loud and there’s debris flying up everywhere.”
One name to look out for is racer Thomas Meseraull.
Tmez, as he is known by his fans, is no stranger to winning big races. Born in California but now residing in Indiana, he has experience racing in different locations across the nation. Last July, Meseraull won the Midwest Sprint Car Series feature at the Gas City I-69 Speedway and will likely be competing again in the Oct. 21 event.
“It’s small-town Indiana,” Riddell said. “There’s a lot of camo hunting gear.”
Rough and tumble is what to expect when attending a race at the speedway. The event attracts a much different crowd than that of the Taylor University community.
Being surrounded by such company is an immersion into the life of the hardworking, blue-collar, rural midwesterner that students, particularly from other states, typically do not experience.
In addition to racing, attendees can expect to find extensive concession and merchandise stands. For an additional fee, fans can even go down to the pit to see the cars and speak with racers and their teams.
“Gas City Speedway is one of my favorite dirt tracks on the planet,” Mulkey said. “It has no walls which makes it a unique racing experience, and I have never seen a bad race there.”
