Elliott, Kenseth and their sons join charity race at Milwaukee Mile

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.