Salem, IN (August 5, 2008) – The Howe CRA Sportsman Series will head back to Baer Field Speedway to be part of the 11^th Annual International Gold Cup 100 event this Friday night August 8^th. This huge racing event will also include racing action from the SuperPro Late Model Series, the O’Reilly USA Modifieds, plus the Baer Field Street Stocks and Mini Stocks. The event will also feature the International Truck Parade as well as a huge Fireworks Show.

Series rookie competitor Tony Dager has seen his lead narrowed down to only nine points over second place Rick Rinehart after the series event this past Saturday at Plymouth Speedway. Dager had some overheating problems, which regulated him to a 17^th place finish, his lowest finish of the season. Rinehart on the other hand got his fourth second place finish of the season and his ninth top ten finish in the nine series events held so far this year. Dager had built his lead on five series victories, three of those at Baer Field Speedway while Rinehart has yet to get to victory lane this season.

Justin Alsip, currently third in series points, got his first series victory in Saturday’s Dually Depot 100 at Plymouth Speedway leading the last 42 laps after Dager had to give up the lead with his overheating problems. Alsip set a new track record in winning the Holley Performance Fast Qualifier Award, his second of the season. Eric Barcus has now taken over fourth place in the series points while Charlie Hanna has now dropped to fifth place after a DNF at Plymouth Saturday night.

Dager also leads the Baer Field Speedway points for the Howe CRA Super Series with a 48-point lead over the #501 car owned by Tony Barcus. Barcus has made several starts in the car while Al Cook Jr. took it to victory lane in the series last Baer Field Speedway event on July 19^th leading all 50 laps. Rinehart is third in those points, just one behind the #501 car. Alsip is in fourth with Hanna in fifth place. The series has two more events at Baer Field Speedway, a regular 50 lapper on August 16^th and the 100 lap / $2000 win Hoosier 200 event on Saturday, September 6^th that will also include a 100 lap / $200 win Modified feature.

Pit gates open on Friday at 2pm, practice begins at 3:30pm with qualifying at 5:30pm. The race program will begin at 7:30pm. There are open practices from 5pm to dark on Wednesday and Thursday night. More information on the event is available at www.baerfieldspeedway.com. The Howe CRA Sportsman Series will also be in action on Sunday at Winchester Speedway as part of the King Of The Wings Sprint Car Challenge event. More information on the Howe CRA Sportsman Series is available at www.craracing.net.