Bristol Motor Speedway
Notes: Huron hosting lone WISSOTA 100
In the 2008 season, the WISSOTA Promoters Association for the first time held three season-ending WISSOTA 100 events. The organization voted overwhelmingly in November to return to a single 100 event in 2009, and on Jan. 23 Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D., was named as the site for the Sept. 16-19 event.
“When we considered the success of our first visit to DSFS last year for the Central Region WISSOTA 100, along with the type of facility we hope to have as we take our premier event to new heights in the coming years, DSFS seemed like a really good fit," said WISSOTA president Terry Voeltz.
The high-banked 3/8-mile track with a 7,000-fan capacity has hosted major events over the years, including Dart Challenge Series, Rumble Dirt Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series events. Orville Chenoweth, the track's promoter for 14 years, is confident his track's 1,200 campsites and hotels in Huron can support the event that draws hundreds of competitors and thousands of fans.
“This is a race that we’ve really wanted in the last 14 years since I’ve been the promoter here and the city has always been behind me," Chenoweth said. "The people here have been chomping at the bit to have a shot at this type of event, and I’m sure they’re going to do one heck of a job hosting everyone who comes to town."
Chenoweth and WISSOTA officials plan to revamp the 100 format to beef up all four nights of racing rather than primarily running feature races on Saturday night.
The first WISSOTA 100 was held in 1991 at Marshfield (Wis.) Super Speedway before settling in at Cedar Lake Speedway for several years. The Western WISSOTA 100 was added in 1992 and WISSOTA went to a three-100 format for 2008 only.
Besides WISSOTA Late Models, five other divisions are included during the 100 weekend: modifieds, Midwest modifieds, super stocks, street stocks and mod fours. — Ed Reichert and WISSOTA reports
LATE-SEASON RACES HIGHLIGHT ALMS SEASON: Two big-purse, late-season events and three first-time Michigan tracks highland the 2009 schedule for the Sunoco American Late Model Series, an Ohio-based tour that operates under UMP DIRTcar rules. The Buckeye 100 on Sept. 19-20 at Waynesfield (Ohio) Motorsports Park and the UMP Nationals on Oct. 10-11 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, wrap up the season. The inaugural Buckeye 100 will use a unique format with the top four finishers from the Sept. 19 semifeature guaranteed starting spots in the $5,000-to-win feature on Sept. 20, Waynesfield promoter Dean Miracle said. ALMS competitors will also run five races in Michigan, the most since 2005. First-time Michigan tracks on the schedule are Mount Pleasant Speedway (May 22), Winston Speedway (Aug. 21) and Merritt Speedway (Aug. 22). The ALMS season opens with an April 10-11 weekend at Kankakee County (Ill.) Speedway and Kamp Motor Speedway in Boswell, Ind. — Todd Turner
AMSOIL SERIES ENDS; DART CHALLENGE SERIES BACK: WISSOTA Late Model drivers are losing one of two long-running tours in 2009 as the AMSOIL Late Model Series is folding after nine seasons. Economic conditions and scheduling conflicts are blamed for the termination of the series, according to WISSOTA's All The Dirt publication. Meanwhile, Dart Machinery of Troy, Mich., announced it will return for its second year as sponsor of the Dart Challenge Series. The 2009 schedule hasn't been released but among tracks expected to host series events are Eagle Valley (Minn.) Speedway, Viking (Minn.) Speedway, Casino (S.D.) Speedway, Rice Lake (Wis.) Speedway, Hibbing (Minn.) Raceway and Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis. (formerly Tri-Oval Speedway). — Ed Reichert and staff reports
ODDS AND ENDS: Two-time UMP DIRTcar weekly points runner-up Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., announced he won't operate his family-backed team in 2008 because of the economy and to spend more time with his family. ... J&J Steel announced it will sponsor the Ironman Challenge on the Deery Brothers Summer Series, a $750-to-win event at the Sept. 18-19 Pepsi USA Nationals among series drivers with perfect attendance. ... The O'Reilly Midwest LateModel Racing Association announced a 24-race schedule for 2009 with the opening event set for April 4 at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb. The schedule also includes five visits to Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. ... Caney Valley Speedway in Caney, Kan., plans to host 11 Super Late Models events in 2009 under the new MidwestDirt banner. No other tracks have announced MidwestDirt dates. ... The O'Reilly National Championship Racing Association announced a 17-race schedule for 2009. Among the dates are the first-ever Late Model event at Brill Motor Speedway in Meeker, Okla., and the first series appearance at Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa (a race co-sanctioned by MLRA).
