One of the biggest and most lucrative Midget races of the year will take place this week with the fifth running of the Drive2SaveLives BC39 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The annual USAC Midget event has been expanded to a four-day event in 2023 with racing beginning on Wednesday, September 27 and concluding on Saturday, September 30. 

Before we get to "The Brickyard," let's catch you up on everything you need to know about this one-of-a-kind motorsports event. 

What Is The BC39?

This will be the fifth edition of the BC39, a race honoring the legacy of the late USAC champion Bryan Clauson. The race helps bring awareness to Driven2SaveLives, an Indiana Donor Network program, in honor of Clauson. 

Saturday's main event will be 39 laps and pay a record $20,039 to the winner -- the largest payout in Midget racing. 

Brady Bacon won the inaugural race in 2018 and Zeb Wise scored the win in 2019. The race was not held in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kyle Larson won a thriller in 2021 before Buddy Kofoid claimed one of the biggest wins of his career one year ago. 

VIDEO: Remembering Bryan Clauson At The BC39

How Big Is The Dirt Track At Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a quarter-mile oval that was built in 2018 prior to the inaugural BC39. The track is located inside turn three of the historical oval that hosts the annual Indianapolis 500.

What Is The BC39 Format?

A brand-new format will be used in 2023 as the event expands from a two-day event to a four-day event. This year's event will feature practice and the traditional Stoops Pursuit race on Wednesday night. That will set the stage for a pair of split field qualifying nights on Thursday and Friday. Semi features and mains, including the $20,039 main event, will be held on Saturday. 

Thursday and Friday night will both feature a full program of racing consisting of 8-lap heat races and 10-lap qualifying races, followed by a 10-lap C-main (if needed), a 12-lap semi-feature and a 30-lap feature race paying $5,000-to-win.

Points for the heats will be accumulated by finishing position and total number of positions advanced.  Cars will be positioned into qualifying races based on the passing points accumulated in heats.

Total points from the heat races and qualifying races will be added to set the starting lineups for the prelim main events on Thursday and Friday.  The top-16 overall in accumulated points will start straight-up in the first eight rows of Thursday and Friday’s A-Main feature.

The top-three feature finishers on each night’s prelim will be locked into Saturday’s feature. Prelim night finishers 4-17 will be slated for one of two semi-features on Saturday night.  Prelim night feature finishers 18-22, plus finishers 7-15 in the semi-feature, will start in Saturday’s C-Main.  Prelim night semi-feature finishers 16th on back will start in Saturday’s D-Main.

Saturday Races

E-Main (if needed): 10 laps, top-4 transfer (2 to each D-Main).

2 D-Mains: 10 laps, top-4 transfer to the C-Main.

2 C-Mains: 12 laps, top-4 transfer to the semi-feature.

2 Semi-Features: 12 laps, top-4 transfer to the feature.

Last Chance Race: 15 laps, top-8 transfer to the feature.

The 39-lap feature will have 22 starters, plus two USAC provisional starters (if applicable) and two IMS options.

VIDEO: Highlights From The 2022 BC39 at IMS

What Is The Stoops Pursuit?

The Stoops Pursuit, held on Wednesday night, provided one of the most wild finishes we've ever seen back in 2019. 

The Stoops Pursuit is a 25-lap race split into five-lap segments. The field will include 24 starters – the top-10 drivers in USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship points are locked into the event as are the 10 fastest during Wednesday night’s practice who are not already locked in.  Up to four promoters options will be available to start the event. 

The starting lineup is inverted by fastest hot lap time, with promoter’s options starting at the rear.  Any car involved in a caution is eliminated.  Every five laps, a competition yellow flag will be displayed, and cars with a net loss in position will be called to exit the track. 

At the end of 25 laps, the driver at the front of the field will claim a $1,500 prize plus $100 for each position gained. 

How To Watch The BC39

STREAMING: Watch the 2023 USAC BC39 at IMS on FloRacing. SIGN UP HERE.

On Your TV: Now Available on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast & Apple TV.

Cast to your smart TV including Vizio, Samsung and LG TVs.

On The Go: Download the FloSports app on iOS or Android.

BC39 Entry List

Thursday Field

Friday Field

BC39 Schedule

Wednesday, September 27

3 p.m. - Driver's Meeting (IMS Media Room)

4 p.m. - Public Gates Open

7 p.m. - USAC Midget Practice

9 p.m. - Stoops Pursuit (25 Laps)

Thursday, September 28

4 p.m. - Public Gates Open

6 p.m. - Hot Laps

To Follow - Qualifying 

To Follow - Opening Ceremonies 

To Follow - Heat Races

To Follow - C-Main

To Follow - Semi-Features

To Follow - Feature (30 Laps)

Friday, September 29

4 p.m. - Public Gates Open

6 p.m. - Hot Laps

To Follow - Qualifying 

To Follow - Opening Ceremonies 

To Follow - Heat Races

To Follow - C-Main

To Follow - Semi-Features

To Follow - Feature (30 Laps)

Saturday, September 30

4 p.m. - Public Gates Open 

6 p.m. - Practice

7 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies

To Follow - D-Main(s)

To Follow - C-Mains

To Follow - Semi-Feature

To Follow - Last Chance Race

To Follow - Drive2SaveLives BC39 (39 Laps)