Last year’s Little 500 was the 73rd edition of the men’s race, and the 36th ever women’s race.
On the men’s side, Black Key Bulls finished first, making their triumphant return to the field after failing to qualify in 2023.
Early in the race, Sigma Alpha Epsilon established themselves as favorites. After a crash on lap 27, they took turns leading with Black Key Bulls and Phi Delta Theta. By lap 55, Sigma Alpha Epsilon led by 34 seconds.
At the halfway point, Sigma Alpha Epsilon continued to hold to a near half-lap lead, while Black Key Bulls, Phi Delta Theta, Chi Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon made up the front of the group trying to catch up.
After leading for over 100 laps, Sigma Alpha Epsilon was finally overtaken by the 150th lap. Black Key Bulls and Sigma Phi Epsilon rocketed into the top two spots, leaving the previous leader in third.
Black Key Bulls’ Jack Handlos and Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Luke Naas engaged in a heated battle at the front, separating from the pack by over 11 seconds by lap 175. However, by lap 190, Black Key Bulls had pulled away, holding a 17-second advantage.
Black Key Bulls held onto its lead to win by a three-second margin, with Cutters and Delta Tau Delta finishing second and third, respectively.
The win marked Black Key Bulls first time on the podium since 2019, and its first win since 2017.
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In the women’s race, the event began with multiple crashes on lap 3. By lap 6, only nine teams were in the pack.
After a neutralization in lap 24, Melanzana, Kappa Alpha Theta, Descent, Novus, Delta Zeta, and CSF occupied the front.
By lap 48, Kappa Alpha Theta and Delta Gamma separated from Teter to gain a near-half lap lead.
At lap 64, Kappa Alpha Theta made a strong push for the lead to gain eight seconds of separation on Delta Gamma.
From then on, Kappa Alpha Theta’s lead continued to grow for the rest of the race. Lap 77 saw the lead expand to 24 seconds, and by lap 88 the win was essentially locked up.
Kappa Alpha Theta crossed the finish line in first 34 seconds ahead of second place Teter. Delta Gamma rounded out the top three.
After a disappointing eighth place finish in 2023, Kappa Alpha Theta’s win was its first since 2018.
In 2025, Black Key Bulls is returning half of its lineup, riders Will Wagner and Wiley Close. Kappa Alpha Theta also returns riders Bailey Cappella and Claire Tips.
Black Key Bulls posted the fastest time in men’s qualifying as it looks to repeat as champions. Meanwhile, Delta Gamma topped the women’s qualification field, with defending champs Kappa Alpha Theta in third.
The 37th women’s Little 500 will be held at 4 p.m. April 25, and the 74th men’s Little 500 will begin at 2 p.m. April 26.