Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / ALL STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS – BROWNSBURG, IN – The 2023 Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 schedule is down to three events, but the owner chase is far from over.
With $80,000 on the line, Fremont Speedway’s annual Jim & Joanne Ford Classic will prove to play a pivotal role in the 2023 All Star owner title, set to blast off officially Friday evening, September 15, with a $6,000-to-win preliminary program. The weekend will cap with a $10,000-to-win finale on Saturday, September 16.
As hinted, the 2023 All Star owner chase is as close as it’s ever been with only 14 points separating two-time and defending All Star champions, Clauson Marshall Racing, from season-long rival, Rudeen Racing. Although the All Star driver title is an important achievement for any competitor, currently led by Rudeen Racing’s own Zeb Wise, the overall owner championship is what receives the $80,000 payday.
Vermeer Motorsports is currently third in the All Star owner chase, followed by Lane Racing, and Bryan Grove Racing.
Although plagued by Mother Nature, the All Stars will roll into Fremont Speedway fresh off of a stint in Pennsylvania Posse Country, visiting the “Speed Palace” that is Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pennsylvania, on September 7-9. Wet weather would ultimately ruin competition on Thursday and Saturday, but it was “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney who earned the limelight between the rain showers, capturing Friday’s $10,000-to-win The Night Before The Tuscarora 50. It was Courtney’s first-ever All Star win at Port Royal, as well as his first-ever at the Speedway in general – with a wing on.
Fremont Speedway hosted the traveling All Stars on one other occasion in 2023, and despite it being conducted during Ohio Sprint Speedweek, it was Pennsylvania invader, Danny Dietrich, who claimed the top honors, stealing the show from Cap Henry and earning a $10,000 payday. “Double-D” secured his trip to victory lane with a last lap, last corner takeover.