Sunday, October 25, 2009

Mother Nature Interrupts Shiverfest

Donnellson, IA (Sunday, October 25, 2009) - What started out as a beautiful and sunny day, turned into rain. As the 11th Annul Shiverfest got started at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, IA, but was unable to be finished due to the late rain showers.

One Hundered forty-one drivers, 35 Modifieds, 20 Stock Cars, 25 SportMods, 37 Hobby Stocks, and 24 Wild Things, signed in to do battle. The two Stock Car heat races, four Modified heats, three SportMod heats, four Hobby Stock heats and three Wild Thing heats were completed on the evening.

Then the Modified B-Main took to the track. The yellow would come out on lap 5 of the 10 lap race for a spin in turn one by Tony Olson. Olson would head to the pits to get his car fixed. The field would take the green and was coming out of turn two, when Olson came out of the pits in front of the field. Craig Spegal, who was leading, had nowhere to go and plowed into Olson, sending Spegal rolling into turn three. Brandon Banks, who was running second, also had nowhere to go and made heavy contact into Olson's car. Both Spegal and Olson climbed out ok, while Banks complained of his left foot bothering him. Heard he was heading to Iowa City to have pins put in three bones on his left foot. Hope he has a fast recovery!

While the track crew worked to clean up the wreck, mother nature moved in. Steady rain showers forced the remainder of the events to be cancelled. The prize money in each class was divided between the drivers and the fans were told to keep there tickets to receive $5 off the opening night of racing in 2010 at the Lee County Speedway.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Another Weekend Without Racing!

Monmouth, IL (Friday, October 16, 2009) - For the second weekend in a row mother nature has decided to cancel my weekend plans. Cold and wet weather for the past two weeks has changed plans for a few fall specials and even cancelled one.

Last weekend (October 10th) I had planned to make the trip to the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, IA for the final night of the MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge. But snow, yes snow, on Saturday morning put an end to those plans. It was announced that Saturday's program will be made up on October 31st, featuring the USRA Modifieds, USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars, USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks. Pit gates will open at 12 noon, with grandstands opening at 1:00, hot laps at 2:00 and racing to follow. Night one produced 172 cars in the four classes of racing, with Corey Dripps (USRA Modifieds), Shane Weller (USRA Stock Cars), Luke Wanninger (USRA B-Mods) and Chris Hovden (USRA Hobby Stocks) taking home the feature wins. For more information check out the web at http://www.rlpromotions.com/oskaloosa/.

After Oskaloosa cancelled, I decided to take in the final night of the Iowa Governors Cup at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, IA. This was also the final race of the 2009 season for the WDRL. But this race was also postponed by mid-afternoon due to snow moving through the area. The final night of this event will be made up on October 24th. For more information keep up with the web at http://www.quadcityraceway.com/.

Then this weekend (October 16th & 17th) I had planned on returning to the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, MO for the two day Fall Nationals. But mother nature hasn't been to kind, as rain forced officials to push it back to Saturday and Sunday (October 17th & 18th) on Wednesday. Then it was announced on Thursday that this event would have to be moved to Friday and Saturday (November 6-7), due to wet of grounds. Thursday night will be an open practice for all cars wanting to get in some hot laps and testing of the track before racing action on Friday. Friday pit gates open at 4:00 p.m., grandstands open for general admission seating at 5:15, hot laps are at 6:15 and racing begins at 7:00. On Saturday, pit gates open at 12 noon, with grandstand gates swinging open at 1:00 and racing at 3:00. There will be no hot laps on Saturday. Racing action will take place in the USRA Modifieds, USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars, USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks, with the Outlaw Hobby Stocks joining the card on Saturday. To keep up with the latest on this event check out the web at http://www.usraracing.com/.

So once the Memphis Fall Nationals was postponed, I had plans on taking in the final event of 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA. The 1st Annual Ice Bowl Thriller featuring the 305 Sprints, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and 4 Cylinders was on the card. But officials announced on Friday that due to wet grounds and cold temperatures this event was cancelled, putting an end to the season at 34 Raceway.

Now lets hope mother nature will co-operate next weekend (October 24th), as the 10th Annual Shiverfest at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, IA is set to take place. Racing action will feature the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and 4 Cylinder Wild Things. Plus there is also hay racking riding through the pits and trick-or-treating for kids. Gates will open at 12 noon, hay rack rides from 1:00-3:00, hot laps at 3:15, treat-or-treating following hot laps, with racing action taking place at 4:30. For more information check out the web at http://www.leecountyspeedway.com/.