A little ol' charity race on a regional circuit has quickly evolved into a national showcase.

A second Hall of Famer in waiting, one of today's top talents and each of their sons all plan to compete in the Howie Lettow 150 on June 12 at the Milwaukee Mile.

Bill Elliott committed this week. (Update - Bill Elliott will be participating in VIP events at the track, but not actually racing.)

Not that he needs any introduction, but Elliott won the 1988 title, a pair of Daytona 500s and 42 other races in NASCAR's premier division.

Matt Kenseth said yes to ASA Midwest Tour this week, too.

One of Wisconsin's favorite racing sons, the 2003 champ and winner of two of the past four Daytona 500s, he'll be a big draw. A late-model race at the Mile used to carry his name, and yes, he won it once.

Speaking of sons, Elliott and Kenseth will compete against theirs.

Chase Elliott is 16, a Hendrick Motorsports prospect and one of the hottest late-model drivers in the South. Ross Kenseth, 18, is one of his rivals fresh off his first big late-model victory in the South.

I have to admit, I was at least a little skeptical at first about this race on a Tuesday night in June.

Howie Lettow, a hugely successful local crew chief, commanded respect and deserved that any race in his honor should be one of the best. The same for the MACC Fund, the cancer research organization.

But with these latest additions to a strong field of less-heralded but nonetheless talented regulars - and the previously announced Rusty Wallace, a 50-race winner and 1989 NASCAR champ - most doubts ought to be erased.

As special events go, this one is looking awfully special. 

Former NASCAR Champion to Compete in ASA's Howie Lettow 150

MOORESVILLE, NC (MARCH 22, 2012)--Officials of the ASA Midwest Tour and Rusty Wallace, Incorporated announced today that former NASCAR and ASA Champion, Rusty Wallace, will compete in the June 12th Howie Lettow Memorial 150 at The Milwaukee Mile. The race honors the late Lettow, a former standout ASA crew chief who mentored many young drivers. The event will benefit the MACC Fund, dedicated to childhood cancer and blood disorder research.

The June event will mark only Wallace's third time at the helm of a race car in competition, following his 2005 retirement from NASCAR's premier series. Wallace will pilot a No. 66 super late model in the event; the car was previously campaigned in 2012 by his youngest son, Steve. The younger Wallace is also scheduled to compete in the Milwaukee event, piloting a sister car to his father's.

The elder Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR and 1983 ASA Champion, has no lack of experience at the Milwaukee Mile. Wallace's five victories at Milwaukee in USAC and ASA competition mark one of the most successful stock car careers in the history of "The Mile."

Said Wallace, "I'm really excited about racing at Milwaukee again; I have a lot of great memories of that place from over the years. While I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun, believe me, we're going there to try and win the race too. There are a lot of great race fans in the Midwest and hopefully the ASA Midwest Tour will put on a great show for them, all the while benefitting a good cause."

March 17, 2012 - The American Speed Association® Midwest Tour presented by SCAG Power Equipment and Lester Buildings is proud to present the Midwest’s biggest racing event of the year, the Swiss Colony Howie Lettow 150 presented by RaceTeamGear.com at the Milwaukee Mile on Tuesday, June 12th, 2012.

Tickets are on sale now and you do not want to miss NASCAR stars David Ragan, David Stremme and Tony Raines, along with Milwaukee area ASA star, Scott Hansen as they all head to the Milwaukee Mile for the 150 lap event under the lights!

This list is not exhaustive and the ASAMT will be announcing some of its biggest news in history in the coming days. So stay tuned to asamidwesttour.com and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/asamidwesttour) and Twitter (@asamidwesttour) for announcements.

VIP tickets for this event are $125 and only 500 tickets are available. VIP ticket holders will enjoy a private dinner, along with a question and answer session and autograph session with the day’s special guests and NASCAR stars. The VIP ticket is an all access pass and allows entry into the hot pit paddock areas.

General admission tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at asamidwesttour.com. All general admission tickets allow infield admission. Credit card and processing fees apply. Enter your favorite driver’s name, with no spaces, in the “promo code” field when ordering. Example: nathanhaseleu