MLRA, Malvern tours scrap openers
Heeding recommendations to limit large gatherings, two Midwestern Dirt Late Model tours on Monday scrapped season-opening weekends because of concerns with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association's April 10-11 events paying $3,000-to-win at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., were removed from the tour's schedule.
The Malvern Bank Super Late Model Series cancelled its April 3-4 Spring Meltdown, which included $1,500- and $4,000-to win events at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb.
Additionally the Sooner Late Model Series announced the cancellation of two races: March 21 at Crawford County Speedway in Van Buren, Ark., and March 28 at Enid (Okla.) Speedway.
Other Monday announcements regarding postponements related to the pandemic:
Boyd's Speedway: The Ringgold, Ga., track announced it plans to postpone Friday's Schaeffer's Spring Nationals event, but series officials said no official decision had been made regarding the $4,000-to-win Shamrock Showdown.
County Line Raceway: Conforming with a state order to limit the size of gatherings, the Ultimate Southeast Series announced the postponement of Saturday's $4,000-to-win event in Elm City, N.C.; no makeup date was immediately announced.
Lucas Oil Speedway: Besides its MLRA events, Lucas Oil Speedway has also cancelled March 28 practice and four other scheduled race events with plans to tentatively open the season May 9.
I-80 Speedway: The Nebraska 4/10-mile oval also cancelled March 27 and April 10-11 events with tentative plans to open April 24.
Laurens County Speedway: The Laurens, S.C., oval cancelled two preseason practices scheduled for March; the track hopes to host an April 1 or 2 practice ahead of the April 4 season opener with Limited Late Models on the card.
Friendship Motor Speedway: Taking advice from county officials to limit crowds, the Elkins, N.C., track has cancelled plans for its March 21 opener. The next event on the series scheduled is March 28.
Correction: Fixes that Laurens County doesn't have a Crate Late Model division.
