National notebook
Notes: Racer, tracks rally to help fire victims
Cory Hedgecock is donating money from apparel sales. (heathlawsonphotos.com)
Members of the east Tennessee racing community are rallying to the aid of those affected by the disastrous Smoky Mountain fires in and around the resort town of Gatlinburg.
Driver Cory Hedgecock of nearby Loudon, Tenn., the reigning champion of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, has pledged to donate December's income from apparel sales to the relief fund while two east Tennessee tracks are collecting donated items for families who’ve lost material possessions in the fires.
411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn., will open from noon-3 p.m. Dec. 17 to collect donations of toys, clothes and other items. “Help us fill this truck with everything to make their Christmas come true,” the track posted on its Facebook page.
I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tenn., is joining the drive by collecting clothes and other items during its second annual Winter Shootout, the Dec. 3 event that includes a $2,000-to-win event for Limited Late Models. The track will take the items to 411 Motor Speedway two weeks later “to make some child’s Christmas just a little brighter,” I-75’s Facebook page said.
For those wanting to mail gifts, sent to this address: Southern Spice Boutique, c/o 411 Motor Speedway, 913 Dolly Parton Parkway, Sevierville TN 37862.
Hedgecock was glad to do his part by donating money from apparel sales through Jan. 1. Any items purchases via coryhedgecock23.com will go to Smartbank for the Gatlinburg Fire Relief Fund.
“It’s a truly helpless feeling seeing so many great people losing so much. While I can’t do anything about the fires, I want to do my part to help with the rebuilding,” Hedgecock said in a team release. “
“I feel like it’s the least I can do to help these families in need. I challenge my fellow racers to do whatever they can to help as well. So many great folks need so much help right now.” — Track and team reports
DOG HOLLOW ADDS SEMI-LATES: Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown, Pa., is adding a third Late Model-style division, promoter Dan Savino announced. The 358 Semi-Late division will run two weeks on and two weeks off with the schedule subject to change depending on car counts and other factors. Rules are intended to align with Hummingbird Speedway in Reynoldsville, Pa., and Thunder Mountain Speedway in Knoxdale, Pa. Savino pledged consistent and fair technical inspections of division competitors.
COLUMBUS SKYBOX MEETING: In trying to upgrade skyboxes at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway, new promoter Rod Taylor has scheduled a meeting for noon on Saturday, Dec. 3, to discuss improvements needed to meet insurance requirements. Skyboxes must be upgraded to meet track standards and skybox owners must provide insurance. Skybox owners who don’t attend the meeting relinquish ownership to the track. For questions, call Taylor at (662) 436-1642.
I-94 SPEEDWAY ADDING LIMITED LATE MODELS: I-94 Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minn., is adding a Limited Late Model division to join a weekly card that will continue to include track’s regular WISSOTA-sanctioned Late Model class. The new unsanctioned division, tabbed Midwest Limited Late Models will be patterned off a similar division at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis. Complete rules will be announced soon for the division designed as a feeder class for the WISSOTA Late Model division.
NORTHERN ODDS AND ENDS: The McKean County Fair Board approved Chris Zuver to continue promotions of East Smethport, Pa.’s McKean County Raceway for 2017. The track, which plans RUSH-sanctioned Crate Late Models as part of its regular-season programs, also announced it will host its first World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series for the first time since ’11. … Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, N.Y., added 308 loads of dirt to the track, allowing the corners to be widened to 70 feet and additional banking in all four turns, the track announced. Infield tire barriers are also being removed. As part of its 2017 schedule, the track has scheduled June 2’s Gary Montgomery Memorial, paying tribute to the late New York promoter with a $2,000-to-event for RUSH Crate Late Models.
SOUTHERN ODDS AND ENDS: Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin, N.C., has announced plans for Late Model Sportsman division in 2017. Rules for the new division will be released at the sixth annual Charlotte Racers Expo on Dec. 2-3. … Rolling Thunder Raceway in Ararat, Va., is for lease in 2017. Anyone interested should call track owner Gary Nester at (276) 251-1949. … Long-time Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway supporter and employee Gary “Lightning” Pendleton died Nov. 16 after a battle with cancer. He was 64.
MIDWEST ODDS AND ENDS: Badlands Motor Speedway owner Chuck Brennan has put the Brandon, S.D., track up for sale for $9.75 million or $12 million over six years. Brennan, the CEO of Dollar Loan Center, has pledged to divest his South Dakota holdings after the passage of a ballot initiative to eliminate licensed short-term lending in the state. … Billy Alger has purchased Shadyhill Speedway in Medaryville, Ind., according to a report on the Hot Rod Network. Alger, a former kart track owner and ARCA racer, bought the track from 16-year owners John Schmitter and Barb Broedel. … Echo Valley Speedway in West Union, Iowa, has closed with plans to turn the facility back into a farm field, according to Kevin Babcock on the History of Iowa Dirt Track Racing. … Merritt Speedway in Lake City, Mich., plans to add new aluminum bleachers and Musco track lighting for 2017. The track also plans to add four-car dashes to 2017’s weekly Late Model programs. … American Ethanol Late Model Tour officials Mike Niebrzydowski was killed in a September accident while working at Owosso Speedway. He was struck while trying to slow racers after an unrelated crash.
