18-year-old to drive in Ted Horn 100

After last year's unfortunate cancellations due to two days of rain, perhaps it's time for a new look this year and that's exactly what fans are going to get at Sunday night's "Ted Horn 100" memorial race.

The "new look" will be provided by Christopher Bell, an 18-year-old rookie sensation who'll be driving in his first race on a mile track.

"I'm really excited," Bell has said while admitting that Sunday night's race will be his first outing on a mile track.

"The biggest track I've been on so far was probably at Lucas Oil Raceway (.686) so Sunday at Du Quoin will be a new experience. Several guys have briefed me on what to expect and given me some good tips on how Kyle Larson adapted in his Silver Crown debut. I'm sure I'll ease into it in hot laps and go from there.

"The race will be a whole new challenge with tire wear critical and the changing fuel load presenting new problems for me, but I'm optimistic," he said.

Bell, a native of Norman, Okla., has spurted to the top of the Honda USAC National Dirt Midget standings with spectacular victories so far this season.

He'll be driving for one of the winningest car owners in the series history, Six-R Racing of Westfield, Ind., which has amassed 27 wins, including 1993, 2008 and 2010 victories at Du Quoin with drivers Jack Hewitt, Brian Tyler and Kody Swanson, respectively.

Wins at Putnamville, Ind., Kokomo, Ind., Belleville and the recent Belleville (Kans.) Midget Nationals have propelled Bell to the top ranking in the Honda Midget standings. He has also competed in USAC sprint car races and won his initial midget victory recently at Schererville, Ind.

At Du Quoin, Bell will be facing a formidable field including former race winners Tracy Hines, Kody Swanson, Shane Cottle and Russ Gamester in addition to title challengers Jerry Coons Jr., Chris Windom and defending champion Bobby East.

Action is set to start at 5 p.m. with the main feature scheduled for 8 o'clock.