Bristol Motor Speedway
Notebook: Farmer City gears up for Illini 100
From series and track reports
There’s never been a dirt Late Model event in the state of Illinois quite like this one. The inaugural Illini 100 will be, plain and simple, the richest dirt Late Model show ever run in the Land of Lincoln.
Set for April 4-5 at Farmer City Raceway, the blockbuster World of Outlaws Late Model Series program boasts a headline-grabbing $20,000 first-place prize from a total purse of nearly $100,000. It also figures to attract the most talented field and biggest crowd in the history of the venerable quarter-mile fairgrounds oval.
“There’s been a need for a really big Late Model race in Illinois for a long time,” said Don Hammer, who is beginning his fourth season as the promoter of Farmer City Raceway. “Dirt Late Model racing is incredibly popular in Illinois and every year there’s a ton of great races all over the state, but we’ve never had one major, big-money event that really stands out like you see in other states.
“Hopefully the Illini 100 can be that big event everyone in the dirt Late Model world identifies with Illinois. If the support is there — and I’m sure it is — then this year’s race at Farmer City will definitely be the start of a show that just grows bigger every year.”
With the foreseeable future for Farmer City Raceway looking bright in the wake of the town’s announcement that weekly racing will continue at the track for at least three more years, Hammer sees a season-opening spectacular as a perfect way to provide the speedway even more feel-good momentum.
“I might be a little bit prejudiced because I grew up here and raced here, but I believe Farmer City is one of the premier tracks in Illinois,” said Hammer. “A big race like the Illini gives us the opportunity to attract a bunch of new fans and show them how exciting racing here can be.”
After a Thursday practice, Illini 100 competition will be spread over two nights, beginning Friday with time trials, qualifying heats and a special $1,000-to-win Douglas Pontiac-GMC-Dodge Dash for heat winners and two fast-timers. Saturday is reserved for consolation races, a 25-lap non-qualifiers’ race and the 100-lap headliner. — Kevin Kovac
WDRL GETS SPONSOR FOR ROOKIE TITLE: Chase Signs and Graphics, a sponsor of the World Dirt Racing League since its 2002 inception, will sponsor the 2008 WDRL Rookie of the Year program. The rookie program will be in addition to Chase’s sponsorship of the Hard Luck award, free race car wraps for the season champion and top rookie, along with lettering of WDRL series vehicles and decals. To be eligible for rookie honors, drivers must be WDRL members but cannot be a WDRL winner or have started more than six WDRL events in one season. — From series reports
SUMMERNATIONALS SLATE COMPLETE: The 2008 UMP DIRTcar Summernationals schedule was recently completed with the addition of dates at Quincy (Ill.) Speedway and Kankakee (Ill.) Motor Speedway. Filling the two dates left blank on the original schedule released in mid-January, Quincy will host a July 8 event will Kankakee will entertain the grueling tour July 11. Kankakee, which hosts the second-to-last event ahead of Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio, is being promoted in 2008 by Ron Miller and Bob Drake. The additions push the schedule to 27 events over a 31-day period, which puts this year’s tour in line to match the single-season record for the most races run in the history of the 20-year-old series. There were 27 events completed in 2002 and 2005. — Kevin Kovac
DEERY BROTHERS MAKING EAGLE DEBUT: The first-ever visits by the Deery Brothers Summer Series headlines Eagle (Neb.) Raceway’s season opening Ice Breaker Challenge March 29-30. IMCA Late Model drivers following the 22nd annual tour run for $1,000 to win on opening night and $2,000 to win on night two. An open practice session is from 7-10 p.m. March 28 with a chili feed following in the pit area. — From IMCA reports
BELLE CLAIR IMPROVEMENTS: In preparing for its 60th season, Belle Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., has added a turn-one tower and 20 loads of dirt to the track surface. The tower will be used to entertain sponsors and provide a unique view of the track and pit area. The season opener is set for March 28. For the first time, Belle Clair will host a UMP Summernationals event. The $6,000-to-win race is scheduled for June 18. — From track reports
SPEC ENGINE NATIONALS AT FARLEY: Simmons Promotions has announced the scheduling of the inaugural Parts Plus Spec Engine Nationals for Oct. 10-11 at Farley (Iowa) Speedway. The event will be open to Late Models legal with IMCA, WISSOTA and weekly spec competitors at Simmons-promoted tracks. More details will be announced. — From track reports
ODDS AND ENDS: Spoon River Speedway in Banner, Ill., a long-time track on the UMP Summernationals, will run weekly UMP Late Models for the first time in 2008. The track will also run UMP’s new crate Late Model division. ... Adams County Speedway drivers who get NASCAR memberships before the first night of racing will receive four grandstand passes and coupons worth up to $20 off concession stand purchases, a $60 value. Mail applications to Hampel Racing, P.O. Box 8, Nodaway IA 50857.
