IndyCar, NASCAR drivers face off in Fieldhouse kart race

NASCAR and IndyCar drivers are set to square off Dec. 11 in a go-kart racing challenge inside Conseco Fieldhouse.

The first Bridgestone Karting Classic is being run in conjunction with the third annual International Motorsports Industry Show held at the Indiana Convention Center Dec. 8-10.

NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart, Austin Dillon and A.J. Allmendinger along with IndyCar racers Scott Dixon, Alex Tagliani and Jay Howard will headline the field, said IMIS co-founder Chris Paulsen. IMIS officials expect about six drivers from NASCAR and six from IndyCar to line up for the indoor go-kart race billed as a duel between the two series.

Former IndyCar driver Scott Goodyear, who is now an ABC/ESPN motorsports broadcaster, is one of the organizers of the karting event.

The event is being promoted as a day-long karting extravaganza. More than five different karting classes will be competing throughout the day culminating with the NASCAR vs. IndyCar race. In addition to the racing, Conseco Fieldhouse’s concourse will be filled with karting industry displays and representatives from karting tracks, karting manufacturers and other suppliers.

“Competitive karting remains one of the most pure forms of motorsports, so I’m looking forward to getting in a kart and racing some of the IndyCar guys,” said Stewart, who has World Karting Association and International Karting Association titles on his resume. “The Indy Karting classic is shaping up to be a cool day for karting enthusiasts. It should be a fun spectator event as well.”

Stewart, who previously raced in IndyCar before jumping to NASCAR, is a minority owner in the IMIS trade show.

Spectator tickets for the racing program are $15 for single admission or $30 for a Family Four-Pack. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office the day of the race. More information can be found at www.indykartingclassic.com or www.facebook.com/IndyKartingClassic.