Gundaker promoting new, rich event
Dirt Late Model racer Gordy Gundaker plans to shift his attention to event promotion for the first time in establishing 2024's Summer Cup Classic, a May 31-June 1 DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Model event at his family’s Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill., carrying a weekend purse of more than $200,000.
Held the same weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at nearby World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill., Tri-City's event — the richest in track history — will include a pair of $5,000-to-win semifeatures on Friday's opening night and a $20,000-to-win finale Saturday.
“Promoting a race is something I’ve kicked around doing for two or three years now,” said the 31-year-old St. Charles, Mo., resident, who spent the past two seasons on the World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series. “After being on the road and seeing a lot of things and talking to a lot of people, I thought, ‘Hell, I’m gonna take a stab at it.’ ”
The Summer Cup Classic finale's healthy $133,150 purse includes $12,000 for the runner-up, $9,000 for third, $8,000 for fourth, $7,500 for fifth and $2,500-to-start. Gundaker, whose parents Kevin and Tammy have owned and operated Tri-City for 19 years, won't compete in the event while overseeing promotions that include a Thursday kickoff party at World Wide Technology Speedway with appearances by Super Late Model drivers and their cars to publicize the dirt race to NASCAR fans.
“We’re working closely with the management at World Wide Technology Speedway to cross-promote our events,” said Gundaker, who is considering a shuttle service to bring fans from the NASCAR oval's camping areas to Tri-City.
More details will be announced at tricityspeedway.net. The event will stream live at FloRacing.
