As it has since 1983, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will return to the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds but for the first time, it will do so on a new day, and for only the second time in the event’s history, under the lights.

The Southern Illinois 100 has, with the exception of 2016, been scheduled for Labor Day afternoon. But for the first time in the event’s history, it will be contested on a Saturday night in 2019, on August 31.

The DuQuoin event will be the second of two ARCA Racing Series events held on one mile dirt tracks, along with the previously announced event at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. That race is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, August 18.

“We at Track Enterprises are extremely excited to bring the full bodied stock cars to the famous Dirt Mile under the lights once again,” said promoter Bob Sargent. “This will make for a better racing surface, faster cars and all while the fans will get to see the bright colors of these machines under the lights.”

“The Illinois mile dirt state fairground tracks are an integral part of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule,” said ARCA President Ron Drager. “We’re especially looking forward to returning to race at DuQuoin with this new format. It will be a real treat for race fans to have the stock cars racing under the lights on Saturday night among all the other activities of the DuQuoin State Fair week.”

The Southern Illinois 100 dates back to 1950 when it was part of the AAA national stock car circuit. In 1956, the United States Auto Club took over as sanctioning body, and in 1983 and 1984, USAC and ARCA co-sanctioned the event. In 1985, ARCA became the stand-alone sanction, and it’s been a part of the ARCA schedule annually ever since.

In 2018, open wheel ace Logan Seavey scored the win in just his second career ARCA Racing Series start. Seavey, driving a Toyota for Venturini Motorsports, led 35 laps en route to a three-second victory over second-place finisher Will Kimmel.

Other ARCA winners at DuQuoin include 1989 series champion Bob Keselowski, father of 2012 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski, ten-time series champion Frank Kimmel, three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, current NASCAR on NBC analyst Parker Kligerman, and 2012 series champion and current Cup Series driver Chris Buescher.

For DuQuoin event information, please visit TrackEnterprises.com. For information on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, including complete information on its 2019 racing schedule, please visit ARCARacing.com.

The 2019 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule to date (dates will be added as they are confirmed):

February 9: Daytona International Speedway

March 9: Five Flags Speedway

April 14: Salem Speedway

April 26: Talladega Superspeedway

May 4: Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville

May 19: Toledo Speedway

May 31: Pocono Raceway

June 7: Michigan International Speedway

June 12: Madison International Speedway

June 22: Gateway Motorsports Park

July 19: Iowa Speedway

July 26: Pocono Raceway

August 18: Illinois State Fair

August 31: DuQuoin State Fair

September 14: Salem Speedway