Notes: Simmons tracks add IMCA weekly events
IMCA-sanctioned Late Models that have made inroads at Simmons Promotions tracks in eastern Iowa are making a bigger splash in 2010. Dubuque Speedway will run 13 weekly events while Farley Speedway and West Liberty Raceway will run limited schedules.
Thirteen Sunday night programs and a midweek fair show are scheduled for the division at Dubuque. National, state and local track points will be awarded for each event and the track champion earns bonus points to be applied toward national standings.
“Before 2007, it had been a long time since we had been involved with weekly race programs at Dubuque or West Liberty in any division,” said Brett Root, IMCA vice president of operations. “I hope our drivers take advantage of the opportunity to chase points or race at these facilities as their personal schedules permit this season.”
First night for IMCA points at Dubuque is May 16. The sanctioned class is also on race programs May 23 and 30, June 6, 20 and 27, July 4, 11, 18 and 28, and Aug. 1, 15, 22 and 29. The Wednesday, July 28 date is during the county fair.
Farley’s Friday dates are May 21, June 4 and 25, July 2, and Aug. 13 and 20. Saturday shows at West Liberty are May 22, June 12 and 26, July 10 and 31, and Aug. 21. Track champions at Farley and West Liberty will receive pro-rated bonus points in the IMCA title chase.
“Friday night shows at Farley work well for our drivers who live in the area and race Saturdays at Independence Motor Speedway,” Root said. “Dates at West Liberty were scheduled when the Late Models were not on the program at 34 Raceway.”
During the 2010 transition season at the Keith Simmons-promoted tracks, drivers competing in weekly events with open engines that were legal in 2009 will use a restrictor plate; 14-inch wheels will also be allowed in sanctioned events at all three tracks. — Bill Martin
PRELUDE TICKETS GO ON SALE MARCH 1: Tickets for reserved seats to the Prelude to the Dream at Ohio's Eldora Speedway go on sale March 1 at the track. The event that features track owner Tony Stewart and other NASCAR stars wheeling Dirt Late Models is scheduled for June 9. Reserved tickets are $25 with general admission tickets $23. For more information, visit the track website. Buy tickets at www.eldoraspeedway.com or by calling the track at (937) 338-3815. — Larry Boos
ROARING KNOB GETS NEW OWNERS: Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex, set to close unless a new owner was found for 2010, has been purchased by Oval Track Promotions and will continue to operate this season with few changes. "We have worked hard to find the right buyer to purchase our facility so that racing could continue there and grow into the future," managing partner Ron Brutt said. "We are looking forward to working with Rick (Jones) and his staff to make the transaction as smooth and seamless as possible." The only major change announced so far as the addition of Fastrak sanctioning for the Crate Late Model division. — From track reports
I-96 SPEEDWAY ADDING 3/8-MILE OVAL: I-96 Speedway is adding a 3/8-mile oval within its half-mile configuration for 2010, with plans to run weekly events on the smaller circuit and special events on the larger track. "It's going to be 75 to 100 feet wide and it will have progressive banking," I-96 Speedway owner Mike Mouch told the Grand Rapids Press. "You can run six to eight cars wide, it's going to be the widest in the state. It should be really fast. The corners will be just as fast as the half-mile." In other news, former track announcer Mike Strevel will serve as the track's general manager in 2010. — The Grand Rapids Press
WESTERN COLORADO TOURING UPDATES: Citing the economy, Western Dirt Racing Association founder Leon Moore announced he's suspending the Colorado-based Dirt Late Model tour for the 2010 season. Meanwhile, the Mountain State Dirt Late Model Series has announced a three-tour tour with races at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Olathe, Colo., Diamond Mountain Speedway in Vernal, Utah, and Desert Thunder Raceway in Price, Utah. — From series reports
SCHEDULE ADDITIONS: The MARS DIRTcar Series added a Sept. 4 event at Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla. ... The UFO Championship Series added added dates at three tracks: July 2 and Sept. 10 dates at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway; July 4 at Hesston (Pa.) Speedway; and May 22 at Thunder Valley Raceway near Central City, Pa. ... The Southern Regional Racing Series has added three dates at North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth, Ga., on April 3, July 24 and Aug. 14.
ODDS AND ENDS: Shelby, N.C.-based Beaver Motorsports announced that G.R. Smith will pilot the team's No. 75 Super Late Model in 2010. ... Skyline Speedway has picked up AMRA sanctioning for its Late Model division in 2010. ... MARS regular Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., will compete in seven races this season on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with the SS Green Light Racing team. ... Billy Wayne Beckwith, owner of Central Mississippi Speedway, died Jan. 17 of heart failure. He was 64.
