Bristol Motor Speedway
Notebook: UMP sets dates for summer trek
From series, track and staff reports
The grueling month of the UMP DIRTcar Summernationals is set for 2009 with 27 races scheduled over 31 days, beginning at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway on June 11 and wrapping up July 11 at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio.
Two-time and defending series champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., is among drivers expected to tackle the "Hell Tour," which features $6,000 and $10,000-to-win events through the Midwest and beyond.
“Running the Summernationals tour is one of the toughest things a Dirt Late Model team can attempt,” said UMP race director Sam Driggers. “To accomplish the feat, to survive to finale at Oakshade, is an accomplishment that won’t be forgotten. Whether it’s the racers, the officials or the fans, the tour showcases everything that’s great about dirt track racing.”
The 4,500-mile circuit includes some long-time series tracks — Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway and Macon (Ill.) Speedway will each host their 21st series events — as well as going to three first-time tracks, Clayhill Motorsports Park in Atwood, Tenn., Shepp's Speedway in Alexander, Ill., and Waynesfield (Ohio) Motorsports Park. “There are still tracks out there that really want a date," Driggers said, "but we’ve found that this is about as far as anyone can go for a month straight."
Illinois leads the way with 18 events on the schedule, followed by three events in Indiana, two events in Ohio and Tennessee and one apiece in Missouri and Kentucky. — Chris Dolack
FRANK LOSES MAJOR SPONSOR: World of Outlaws Late Model Series regular Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., is searching for a major sponsor after Lester Building Systems, citing the recession, ended its four-year relationship with Frank's team. “We’re certainly disappointed with the news, but everyone with Chub Frank Racing is appreciative of everything Lester Buildings has done for our team over the last four years,” said Frank, who finished fifth in WoO points and won one WoO event in 2008. “Lester Buildings came on board after our shop fire in 2004 to help get us through a difficult time, and the company’s support since then made it possible for me to enjoy some of the most successful seasons of my career." Frank won 29 features during his four-year stint with Lester Buildings, including 14 WoO races, the Dirt Track World Championship and World 100. “We’ve had to make some hard short-term decisions to reduce long-term programs like this," said Tom Borgman of Lester Buildings. "In no way is our decision based on our feelings for Chub and his team, for whom we have only the highest regard. They have done everything we’ve asked and more since Day One." — From team reports
SOUTHERN ALL STARS READY FOR 27th YEAR: The O'Reilly Southern All Star Racing Series has released a 25-race schedule for 2009 with plans to add as many as 11 more races, said series general manager Kelley Carlton. The initial 25 races are scheduled for 12 tracks in five states including events at series stalwarts such as Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway, Talladega (Ala.) Short Track and Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C. Among first-time series tracks on the 2009 schedule are Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Hartwell (Ga.) Speedway. The season opens Jan. 28-31 at the Super Bowl of Racing V at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga., an event with a unique points system with the four nights equal to a single night of racing for other series events. "We didn't want an early-season event to discourage anyone from chasing our points," Carlton said. — From series reports
STOKES ADDS DUTIES AT MAGNOLIA: Johnny Stokes, promoter of Columbus (Miss.) Speedway, will add general manager duties for the 2009 season at Magnolia Motor Speedway just west of Columbus, the track announced Dec. 15. Stokes replaces Chuck Cook, part of the team that built and originally opened the 3/8-mile track in 2004. Stokes will promote the track for Dan White of Magnolia Motorplex Associates, which completed purchase of the track in February 2008. After holding the status quo for the past season, "we realized that we needed to form as strong an alliance as possible with the mainstay of dirt track racing in the area, Columbus Speedway, and its eight-year promoter, Johnny Stokes," White said. "It was no longer viable to be adversaries if racing was going to prosper in Columbus." Stokes will handle day-to-day operations at both tracks. "We plan on making the Columbus area the place to be when it comes to dirt track racing,” Stokes said. "We should be able to provide plenty of racing, along with different conditions that will prepare the competitors for other tracks around the country, right here in Columbus." — Ben Shelton
SRRS URGES DRIVERS TO IMPROVE SAFETY: Drivers on the Southern Regional Racing Series are encouraged to use either a full-containment driver's seat and/or a head-and-neck restraint device in 2009. If drivers decide not to, they'll be required to add 50 pounds to their race cars for series events, series founder Tony Morris announced in early December. Morris made the decision following two-time series champion Byron Michael's frightening late-season accident at Green Valley (Ala.) Speedway. "I believe that this is a wakeup call to all racers," Morris said. "You can never have enough safety equipment. ... The fire and rescue (crews) that were immediately at Byron’s attention said a containment seat would have made a big difference." SRRS will also require a securely mounted fire extinguisher system for 2009. — From series reports
O'REILLY ALL STARS HIRE TECH INSPECTOR: The O'Reilly All Star Late Model Series named Mark Hawk as the technical inspector for the tour that takes over for the now defunct Independent Racing Series. Hawks brings more than 30 years of experience as an official at Pennsylvania dirt tracks, including Lernerville Speedway, Challenger Raceway and Tri-City Speedway. "Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the tour," series director Jason Shank said. "He is well known and well respected throughout the industry and will fit our program perfectly." Shank also reports the series website will soon list the 2009 rulebook and the 2009 schedule. — From series reports
NeSMITH CHEVROLET SERIES RESTRICTS TIRE RULE: In the aftermath of a driver's disqualification for using an illegal tire at the season's final event, the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series has amended its tire rule. Starting in 2009, Hoosier D-21 and D-55 tires stamped Crate Racin’ USA will be the only two tires permitted, series director Mike Vaughn said. “We take our tire rule as seriously as we take our engine rule, and we will not tolerate the altering of tires,” Vaughn said. "While this situation is unfortunate, I hope it sends a message that the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will go the extra mile to insure a level playing field for all its competitors.” Anthony White of Clinton, Tenn., faces a year suspension and a $1,000 fine after his series violation Dec. 12 at East Bay Raceway Park near Tampa, Fla. — Roby Helm
ODDS AND ENDS: David Webb of Nicholasville, Ky., will receive products and technical support for the 2009 season as part of a sponsorship from Valvoline Racing, the team announced. ... The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has added a $10,000-to-win race at Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway on May 2. ... Elkins (W.Va) Speedway will continue running on Friday nights in 2009, co-promoter Sheila Cross announced at the track's postseason banquet. The track had considered experimenting with Saturday night racing. ... Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, N.C., is a finalist for the North Carolina Motorsports Association Facility of the Year. The award winner will be revealed Jan. 26 at the Embassy Suites in Concord, N.C. ... Rusty Daufeldt of Blue Grass, Iowa, has been named marketing director and announcer for the World Dirt Racing League for 2009, WDRL president Jim Wilson announced recently.
