Bristol Motor Speedway
Notes: New K-C owner plans ambitious schedule
K-C had big crowds for the DTWC in recent years. (DirtonDirt.com)
After off-season speculation that K-C Raceway might not open in 2009, the track's new owner announced an 18-race schedule for the 3/8-mile dirt oval south of Chillicothe, Ohio, including the inaugural Dirt Track World Cup paying $20,000 to the winner.
Jeff Schrader completed his purchase of the track from Jim Nier on Friday, March 13, and announced a slate dotted with Super Late Model special events sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and first-year O'Reilly All Star Series. "This is a dream come true for me," said Schrader, a successful businessman from Jackson, Ohio. "It is an exciting day for me and my family. A lot people share in the excitement and hopes I have for this season and many more to come at K-C Raceway. I can't wait to get started."
Nier owned and operated the southcentral Ohio track for six years. "We made a lot of improvements and think we left the place a lot better off than when we found it," he said. "I'd like to thank all the many fans, friends, drivers, owners, and sponsors who supported us over the years and wish Jeff and (wife) Vickie (Schrader) the best of luck in their new endeavors."
While Schrader plans to run a regular-season Late Model division along with special events, the track won't be hosting the $50,000-to-win Dirt Track World Championship, a Carl Short-promoted race that ran the past four seasons at K-C. Short, reluctant to commit to K-C with the indecision surrounding the track's sale, moved the annual October race to Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway.
But Schrader does plan a major event with the O'Reilly All Star-sanctioned Dirt Track World Cup, set for Oct. 1-3. The $20,000-to-win event will pay at least $1,500 to each starter and include a $3,000-to-win non-qualifiers' race for Late Models, a $3,000-to-win modified race and possibly a sprint car event.
In other events on the track's schedule, WoO Late Models are set to run a $20,000-to-win event on May 1-2. The O'Reilly All Stars are also scheduled to run $5,000-to-win events on April 18, May 23 and Sept. 19. Another $5,000-to-win event will be unsanctioned on July 3 as part of a doubleheader with sprint cars on the "Night the Stars Come Out."
The track's regular-season events will consist of 410 sprint cars, Late Models, modifieds and hobby stocks. — Scott Wolfe
DARREN MILLER SUSPENDS RACE TEAM: Veteran driver Darren Miller of Chadwick, Ill., the 2008 winner of the Lucas Oil-sanctioned North-South 100 at Florence (Ky.) Speedway, announced Thursday he was suspending his self-owned race team, citing financial hardship. "Obviously, this hasn’t been an easy decision to make. I really love racing, and many of the drivers, crew members, and fans have became a big part of our family," said the 32-year-old driver, a Feb. 9 winner at Volusia Speedway Park during Florida Speedweeks. "But without the financial backing that it takes to run a race team I’ve decided to sell out." Miller said he's "open to opportunities" with other teams but is uncertain of his plans. The team's equipment is for sale and listed on his website. Miller won six big-purse events in 2008, including three UMP DIRTcar Summernationals races. — From team reports
SUITES AVAILABLE AT ELDORA: Sixteen new hospitality suites above turns three and four at Eldora Speedway are nearing completion and will be available for rental for 2009 special events at the historic track in Rossburg, Ohio. Season-long rentals and per-event rentals are available for the track's events, including the $100,000-to-win Dream ($2,000 rental for June 5-6) and World 100 ($2,250 for Sept. 11-12). The 16-person suites perched behind the existing grandstands will provide a bird's eye view of racing action and include climate controls, P.A. system controls along with private restrooms and other amenities. A basic food-drink package is included with the rental with additional catering available. For more information, visit the Eldora website or call the track at (937) 338-3815. — From track reports
Correction: An earlier version of this story reported K-C's Dirt Cup would be unsanctioned; it's an O'Reilly All Stars event.
