August 12, 2025-Springfield, IL-Less than two weeks after breaking his foot in a sprint car crash at the Lawrenceburg (IN) Speedway, USAC champ and 2-time Bettenhausen 100 winner Justin Grant of California is back behind the wheel of the Hemelgarn big car. Grant gingerly climbed into the cockpit of his machine this past weekend at Salem Speedway and managed a second place finish, completing all 100 laps.
His return is nothing less than remarkable considering the broken bones required an open reduction of the left foot and hardware. Yet Grant managed to get clearance and found the strength to ignore any pain and continue a quest for a second USAC Silver Crown National championship. He is expected to be ready this Saturday for the 62nd Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds where he won in 2017 and again last year.
In last year’s Bettenhausen, Grant qualified for the pole with a 31.641 (113.776) lap as the first qualifier then led all 100 miles in a dominant performance. Grant became the 20th winner from the pole spot and the 22nd to lead all 100 miles of a Springfield championship race. Grant finished second in the title chase last year, after winning the 2020 championship.
This season Grant leads the point standings in a three-horse race with C.J. Leary and Matt Westfall having mathematical shots at the 2025 championship. Grant won this year on the pavement at Toledo and on the dirt at Belleville, Kansas.
It’s all part of a huge weekend of racing in Central Illinois that opens on Friday, August 15 with MOWA Sprint cars at Lincoln Speedway before going to the Springfield Mile on Saturday, August 16 for USAC Silver Crown and Sportsman and then returning Sunday, August 17 for the ARCA Menards Series and the Sportsman Nationals.
Fans can save big by purchasing advance sale discount tickets for the Springfield events by calling Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200. Additionally, Menards stores throughout the region are offering discounted ARCA Menards Series tickets, making it even easier to bring the whole family out for a day at the races.
For more information on the Illinois State Fair Racing Weekend, including full schedules and event details, visit http://www.trackenterprises.com