Mini Indy Midget - Iannuzzi South Boston preview

Iannuzzi seeks birthday win at South Boston.

SOUTH BOSTON, VA (OCT. 4, 2002)-- Jessica Iannuzzi would like a trophy for her birthday.

While that may seem like an odd gift for a 21-year-old, it makes perfect sense considering Iannuzzi will be celebrating her birthday by competing in the Oct. 19 USAC Mini Indy Midget 200 at Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway.

Iannuzzi will seek victory at South Boston, which she considers among her favorite tracks. She finished 18th in the inaugural USAC 200 Midget feature at South Boston in 2001. The Philadelphia native pilots the No. 52 Patrick's Auto Body Beast, powered by an Ed Pink Chevy engine.

Like many young drivers, Iannuzzi's goals include advancing through the ranks of open-wheel competition, ultimately progressing to the Indy Racing League. Another goal of Iannuzzi's is a degree in Elementary Education, Special Education at St. Joseph's University. She is currently in her junior year at the Philadelphia university.

While she is in her third year of racing full-size Midgets, Iannuzzi began her racing career at the tender age of eight, competing in quarter midgets.

Future Jessica Iannuzzis, Tony Stewarts and Jeff Gordons will show their youthful skills Oct. 19 in the Lehigh Valley Quarter Midget races scheduled to take place just before the USAC Mini Indy Midget 200. The Scale Racing League Mini Cup cars and trucks complete the evening's action.

Speaking of Stewart, the 1995 USAC Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown champion will sign autographs for fans Oct. 19, along with NASCAR stars Ken Schrader, Hermie Sadler, Junie Donlavey and Morgan Shepherd. The autograph session begins at 5 p.m., with the first 800 fans through the gate receiving an autograph voucher good for the first hour of the autograph session.

Grandstand gates for the USAC Mini Indy Midget 200 open at 2 p.m., with qualifying at 4 p.m. The racing action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the USAC Midgets, the evening will include racing for Lehigh Valley Quarter Midgets and Scale Racing League Mini Cup Cars and Trucks.

Reserved seats are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate. Adult general admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Advance pricing is good only until 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18. General admission for young adults (10-15) is only $10, with children 9 and under admitted free. A limited number of $15 back straight seats will be available for purchase on race day. Tickets are available online via tickets.com. Credit card orders can be placed by calling the Speedway toll free at 1-877-440-1540. Further event information can be accessed via the Speedway's website at www.southbostonspeedway.com

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