Bentley Warren Classic connects NASCAR legends with future stars

PLYMOUTH, Ind. -- It's not often the schedules of three racing legends line up simultaneously, but on Thursday at the Plymouth Motor Speedway this was a reality as Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, and Ken Schrader got back in the driver's seat.

For the four-time NASCAR cup champion Tony Stewart, tracks like the Plymouth Motor Speedway bring him back to when his career was just beginning.

“Just because you’ve been in the biggest races doesn’t mean they are the best races,” Stewart said.” Some of my best memories have been at short tracks like this, so, getting to race with my buddy Newman, and being here for my hero Bentley Warren, and one of my all-time heroes Kenny Schrader. It just gets back to my roots and gets back to the stuff in my life when I had the most fun racing.”

Fans from all over Michiana packed the Plymouth motor speedway parking lot, then migrating into the stands, excited to get a glimpse of legendary names in the sport they love the most.

But on this night, the biggest fans were drivers like Jaden Cretacci, who could only dream he would ever get to compete with the guys he grew up watching.

“We’re big fans of Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, and Ken Schrader,” Cretacci said. “Just getting to be out here, like I said, it’s surreal. It’s pretty cool. Not a lot of people get this opportunity, and I am just really blessed to have it.”

The night wasn’t about winning or losing. It was a glimpse into what made both fans and drivers fall in love with the sport.

For Stewart, Newman, and Schrader, it was a return to their roots. For drivers like Jaden Cretacci, it was a night that proved dreams really can share the same track as legends.