DOWN 'N DIRTY
 by Jeff Adams

April 28, 2003
    The big race this weekend is the "Jeff's Enginemaster Shootout" at LaSalle Speedway, paying $4,000 to win for the UMP Late Models.
    Several Midwestern hot shoes are expected, including Kevin Weaver (sporting a new hauler and color scheme), Billy Drake, Bob Pierce, Tony Izzo, Jr., and many more. The race is the season-opener for LaSalle, which has booked an Xtreme DirtCar Series date for August 2.
    LaSalle is one of the fastest, most exciting tracks in the Midwest, and the race kicks off the first of several big races in the Midwest over the next few weeks. Go to lasallespeedway.com for more details.
   Next Thursday, May 8, the World of Outlaws sprint cars return to Farmer City Raceway. The event is a must-see, as the winged warriors scream around the quarter-mile high banks. Check out trackenterprises.com for more details.
   Next Friday, May 9, the XDCS opens the season at the Kankakee Motor Speedway, with a $10,000 winners' share on the line. The O'Connor family has made "the Kank" one of the highest-banked and fastest race tracks in the Midwest.
 NEWS AND NOTES
    -Peoria Speedway has had record car counts the first 2 weeks of racing, with nearly 130 cars packing the pits last Saturday night.  The racing at Peoria has been first-rate, and they have fixed the PA problems experienced at the opener.
    -Speaking of Peoria, they may be the only race track in the USA to have an adult entertainment establishment directly across the street.
    -kudos to Kenny Schrader for winning the UMP Late Model feature at I-55 Raceways last weekend. I long for the day Schrader gives up his second-rate NASCAR ride and return to his roots full-time. Schrader will be in action May 9 at Memphis Motorsports Park, May 10 at Pevely, and May 11 at Haubstadt, IN.
     Finally, I would like to send condolences to the family of Ray Neltner, Sr., who passed away early Monday morning.     Neltner fought a long, hard battle with cancer, and remained positive during his fight.
     Neltner is the car owner of defending NASCAR Heartland Region Champion Billy Tuckwell, and has had his car number 75 racing in the Midwest as long as I can remember. He will be sorely missed.
   See you at the races.

 

APRIL 21, 2003
   This week. its' "News and Notes" time:
   -as I reported a couple of weeks ago, the announcement was made this week that the UMP "Challenge of Champions" finale will be held at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO on Saturday, September 27. The race will pay $15,000 to win, with a non-qualifiers' race paying $2,000 to win. Kudos to Kenny Schrader for his UMP Late Model win at the track this past weekend.
  -2002 NASCAR Heartland Regional Champ Billy Tuckwell has opened Xtreme Motorsports in a facility directly across the street from Peoria Speedway. Tuckwell will be operating a racing parts business, but is also offering fans the chance to experience racing by renting 4 cylinder Hornet cars for $ 75 a night.
   Tuckwell will have the cars waiting at the track, and fans can compete in heats and a feature event. Just bring a helmet and sign a waiver, its' that easy.
  -only 4 more weeks until the first major dirt late model race of the summer, the annual "Show-Me 100" at West Plains Motor Speedway. The event will be held on May 22-24 and will pay $37,000 to win and $3,700 to start. Wendell Wallace is the defending event champion, dominating the 89 car field last year.
  -the car counts for the World of Outlaws sprint car series are way down this year. The finale at Eldora Speedway only drew 28 cars last weekend. Look for a full field this weekend, however, as they open the season at Knoxville Raceway with a 2-night show. The Outlaws are at Farmer City on May 8.
  -Peoria Speedway will host the "Chuck Hamilton Memorial" this weekend, in honor of the promoter of the track who passed away last year. The opener at Peoria was a huge success, although the new PA system needs tweaking.
  -I wonder what ever happened to the proposed National Dirt Racing Association, proposed a few years back by Doug Sheckler?
  -here is a tip for all racing promoters- NO intermissions if the weather is cold, or if it past midnight.
  -I wish someone would purchase Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway. The facility is one of the best in the US, but the promoting has been horrible since day one. It just goes to show that money can't buy everything. The tracks' website still has the 2002 schedule posted.
  That's it for this week. Let's hope the weather cooperates this weekend, although it is still April
  See you at the races.
 

APRIL 10, 2003

 The big news in the dirt racing world this week is the announcement by Jerry King that the 21st Annual "North/South 100" at Florence Speedway in suburban Cincinnati will be a 2-day show paying $50,000 to win.
      The announcement was posted on the tracks' website this week, and vaults the event to the top of the charts in terms of prestige. Paired with the Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, this is a must-see for late model fans.
      The format will be Eldora-style, becoming more and more popular with promoters (Show-Me 100) these days. Thursday, August 21 will be an open practice session, with qualifying-only for the late models on Friday night. Modifieds, Super Dirt Stocks, and Pure Stocks will have qualifying, heats, and run consolation events Friday, racing only feature events on Saturday. The late models will run a full program of heats, consys, and a 100 lap feature Saturday night, August 23.
      King promised that many of his big late model events would be unsanctioned, and he has followed through. The XTreme Dirt Car Series, which has sanctioned the race the last few years, will be running a $20,000 to-win that weekend at 311 Speedway in Madison, NC.
      The date is currently listed as "open" by the Renegade Dirt Car Series, which has 13 open dates on its schedule. The RDCS has sanctioned the Friday portion of the race the last few years.
      I went to Florence last year for the "Dirt Late Model National Championship" race and came away impressed with the track. Several drivers broke the track record that day, and the racing was top-notch. Keep your eyes on that one.
NEWS AND NOTES:
  -those planning on attending the World of Outlaws event at I-55 Raceway in Pevely should be advised to leave early as it took me nearly 40 minutes to get into the track for the race last year. It also was a slow commute getting out, and it had to be one of the biggest crowds in track history. The Outlaws put on a tremendous show on the Pevely high-banks, touring the high banks at freakish speeds.
  -the UMP "Challenge Series" opener at Paducah was rained out last week, and will be run this Friday. UMP keeps promoting the mysterious "Challenge Series" finale, paying $15,000 to win, but has yet to announce where and when. I hear "3 or 4" tracks are under consideration, with Pevely the favorite the 3rd week in September.
  -the new and improved Peoria Speedway will try to open again this weekend after being cancelled due to cold and rain last weekend. Sherrie Hamilton has made tremendous improvements in the facility over the winter. All new fencing surrounds not only the track, but all over the property. There have been significant upgrades to the electrical system, new lighting, a new concession stand in the pit area, and the base in place for a new scoreboard.
   I will be off to Peoria Speedway this weekend to see how the locals fare and will have more next week.
   Comments, news, or any feedback on this column may be sent to: dlmnatlchamp@4m.net.
   See you at the races.