By Ben Deatherage
VINTON, Iowa (Apr. 8, 2025) — The newly rebranded Huntley’s Hoosier Winged Sprint Series is set to launch its 2025 campaign this Friday, April 11th, at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville. The 27-race slate will span some of Indiana’s most iconic dirt tracks in tribute to the late Kevin Huntley—a Bloomington native, fan favorite, and racing legend affectionately known as “The Pup.”.
The series, now bearing Huntley’s name for the first time, celebrates the deep tradition of Sprint Car racing across the Hoosier State. The tour will visit Lawrenceburg, Paragon, Bloomington, and Kokomo Speedways, as well as Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt and Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis.
According to renowned racing historian Dr. Pat Sullivan, Kevin Huntley was a beloved figure in Indiana’s rich Sprint Car tradition—respected by fans, competitors, and the racing community alike.
“There were all these great Sprint Car racers that came out of Bloomington around the same time, and Kevin was absolutely one of them,” Sullivan said. “He was a native son—someone everyone knew and liked. It was terrible and shocking when he passed. He was a Bloomington kid.”
Huntley, who died unexpectedly on January 8, 2022, at age 56, left a legacy that extended far beyond wins and trophies. The fourth annual Huntley Memorial RaceSaver Nationals, also known as the Pup Cup, will be held July 18th at Bloomington Speedway, and has been elevated to a $10,000-to-win event.
“Everyone agreed to bump it up and put it in the Eagle (RaceSaver Nationals) sort of sphere to make it another crown jewel for the RaceSaver Sprint Cars,” explained Sullivan, “We’re really excited about this race, and we are getting a lot of support from people that want to do this for Kevin and be involved to honor him.”
Though Huntley had a long and successful career in Winged and Non-Winged Sprint Cars, as well as Midgets and Silver Crown, it was the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars that brought him back to victory lane in 2015—a fitting final chapter.
“Kevin had a great deal of success in racing, and he was also a very successful businessman, which took up a lot of his time,” Sullivan said. “So when he discovered the RaceSaver division, I think he saw it as something fun and affordable—a way he could still compete without the demands of national touring.”
“He wasn’t going to get back in a 410 or chase a series across the country. He was done with all that. This was right in his backyard. His dad, Rex, raced Stock Cars at Bloomington—and he was actually pretty good. He won races. So Kevin had grown up at Bloomington Speedway his whole life.”
That year, Huntley did just that—winning at Bloomington on August 14th and retiring on the spot in front of a hometown crowd.
“I always remembered the night Frankie (Kerr) won, and retired, and I wanted to go out like that,” Huntley was quoted saying. “I don’t know how many times I was racing, and I would think, if I can win this race, I will retire on the front straightaway.”
“He won that night, gave his equipment and gloves away to fans, and retired on the spot,” Sullivan said. “Kevin was a pretty popular guy.”
Sullivan added that Huntley’s impact on Indiana racing went far beyond what fans saw on race night.
“Behind the scenes, Kevin was a big part of helping launch the RaceSavers here,” he said. “He gave the division a major jolt. Now they’ve expanded the schedule and rebranded the series in his honor.”
The 2025 season will also feature three co-sanctioned races with the Ohio Thunder Sprint Car Series, including two stops at Lawrenceburg Speedway and a neutral-site event at Florence Speedway in Walton, Kentucky.
With historic venues, rising talent, and a legacy worth celebrating, the Huntley’s Hoosier Winged Sprint Series aims to make 2025 its most meaningful season yet.
To follow along with series news, race results, and updates throughout the year, “like” the Huntley’s Hoosier Winged Sprint Series Facebook page.
