INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Over 100 cars were on hand to kick off the 2005 regular season at the Blossom Chevrolet Indianapolis Speedrome. A traffic jam greeted track officials when they opened the gates at 9AM and shooed the cars and trailers off Kitley Avenue and onto the grounds for a day of technical inspection, registration and practice. Speedrome Late Models, Modifieds, Legend Cars, Stocks, Roadrunners, Bombers, Hornets and Hornet Figure-8 cars were represented in a busy day of paperwork and warm-ups.

Defending Late Model champion Curtis McMurtrey used the opportunity to test and tune his new United Auto Sales machine at the World's Home for Figure-8 Racing after a winter of car shows and promotional appearances. Jeff Hizer rolled out a pair of rockets from his stable and others were on hand for shake down cruises and to reserve car numbers. Superfan George Lane unveiled his ride for '05 and padded a page in the Speedrome history books as well. Lane's ride is the historic Jerry Gordon #75 that first competed in 1981 and is completely reworked for its 24th season.

Other highlights of the day included a sleek new Stock Class racer for Chris Stewart. Charlie Hargraves and Bruce Newlin,Jr. were quick out of the box in their Modifieds. Chuck Rogers inaugurated the new Hornet Figure-8 class with some quick laps and Grandpa Toby Eads swapped paint with his grandson Mark Eads, Jr., in a spirited practice run.

Registration continues next Saturday with gates opening at 11AM and the Speedrome regular season kicks off next Sunday with the first event of 2005 in an afternoon show.

For more information, driver roster and the latest news and pictures check us out at www.speedrome.com.