A Look Ahead to the 2011 Racing Season

Monmouth, IL (Sunday, March 27, 2011) - After a long, snowy, and cold winter the 2011 racing season has finally arrived. Following is a look ahead to the season at some of the local tracks in the area.

First off is the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, which races weekly on Friday nights. There season will get started on Saturday, April 9th with a car show and kick-off party in West Point. The car show will be held at the square and park from 1pm-5pm, followed by the kick-off party at the 4th Street Bar. Then on Sunday, April 10th they will hold an open practice from 2pm-5pm. The season opener is set for Friday, April 15th with the IMCA Modified Smackdown, featuring the IMCA Modifieds racing for $2,000 to win. Also in action that night will be the IMCA SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Wild Things. The weekly points races will begin on Friday, April 22nd featuring the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Wild Things. The IMCA Late Models will possibly make 3 appearances in 2011, the first may be April 29th, then again on July 1st and finally again on August 5th.

On Saturday, May 28th will be the first of two "Eve of Destruction Nights", with another one being held on Saturday, August 6th. Mid-Season Championship night is scheduled for Friday, June 24th. Then six days laters will be the "Liberty Cup", featuring the drivers of the Hawkeye Dirt Tour. Also running that night will be the IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA SportMods. Following the "Liberty Cup" on Friday, July 1st will be the IMCA Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Wild Things and the first of two appearances by the 305 Sprint Cars. Then on Friday, July 8th will be the Lee County Fair race, featuring the Sprint Invaders.

The 2011 point champs will be crowned on Friday, August 26th. But the season won't end there, as two more events are on the schedule before calling it a season. On Saturday, Sept. 17th will be the IMCA SportMod Fall Classic, with the second appearance from the 305 Sprint Cars, along with the Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks. The final event is set for Friday, Oct. 14th a practice night for "Shiverfest", which is set for Saturday, Oct. 15th. To keep up to date about the Lee County Speedway log online at http://www.leecountyspeedway.com/.

34 Raceway in Burlington, Iowa kicked off there 2011 season on Saturday, March 26th with the car show and kick-off party. The Westland Mall in West Burlington was the place to go to check out some of the cars that will be turning laps around 34 Raceway on Saturday nights throughout 2011. Then the kick-off party was held at Whitey's Bar and Billiards. An open practice is set for Saturday, April 2nd from 1pm-4pm. The first night of racing kicks off on Saturday, April 9th with the "Slocum 50", featuring the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models. The Late Models will be going for a top prize of $3,000 to win, plus the lap money from the 2010 rained out Late Model Nationals. Saturday, April 16th will kick-off the 2011 season for the Sprint Invaders, with the IMCA Modifieds racing for $1,000 to win. Plus the IMCA SportMods will make there first of nine nights of racing. The 410 Outlaw Sprint Cars will return for one of there two nights on Saturday, April 23rd. Then on Saturday, April 30th all regular points classes: IMCA Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, 305 Sprints and Hobby Stocks will all be in action.

Friday, May 13th the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Series, featuring the top touring Late Model drivers in the country returns for the second year. The first of three $5 nights will take place on Saturday, May 14th, the second being on June 18th and the third on August 13th. A Tribute to the late Johnny Johnny will be held on Saturday, May 21st. The following week, May 28th, will be Racing and a Band night, as the band "Concrete" with Mandy Farren putting on a concert following the races. Mid-Season Championship night is set for June 25th. Then on Monday, July 4th the UMP Summernationals, featuring the top UMP Late Models drivers in the area, returns to 34 Raceway after a few years off.

Saturday, July 9th will be another Racing and a Band Night, as Jake McVey will be in concert following the nights races. The Sprint Invaders return on Saturday, August 20th for the "Nite of Twins". Season Championship night is scheduled for Saturday, August 27th. On Friday, Sept. 2nd and Saturday, Sept. 3rd is the USA Late Model Nationals, featuring the drivers of the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series. Friday will be the "Brian Hetrick Tribute" for the 305 Sprint Cars. Then on Saturday the Late Models will battle it out for 100 laps for $10,000 to win. On Saturday, Sept. 10th will be the Season Championship for the Sprint Invaders. The final event for the 2011 season will be another appearance by the 410 Outlaw Sprint Cars. For all the latest news check out 34 Raceway online at http://www.34raceway.com/.

On Sunday nights you can check out the action at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois, featuring the IMCA Late Models, UMP Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and 4 Cylinders (returning to weekly action in 2011). Mother nature hasn't been to kind to Quincy Raceways already in 2011, as cold temperatures forced them to cancel there practice nights scheduled for March 25th, 26th and 27th. They will now try to practice on March 30th, 31st and April 1st. Sunday, April 3rd will be the season opener for all classes, with no points being awarded. Then on Sunday, April 10th the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models invades the raceway. Regular Sunday races will continue on until May 15th, when the USMTS Modifieds return after several years. The best of the best touring Modifieds will battle it out with the best of the local drivers for a $2,000 top prize.

Sunday, May 29th the Sprint Invaders invade the raceway for the first of two appearances, with the second one set for Sept. 4th. The Mid-Season Championship night is scheduled for June 26th. Then the annual Titan Wheel & Tire Shootout, featuring the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series, takes place on July 3rd. On Sunday, July 31st the PCRA Crate Late Models will join the weekly classes for competition. The Late Model points champ will be crowned on Sunday, August 28th. While the UMP Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and 4 Cylinders Season Championships being held on Sept. 18th. Sunday, Sept. 25th the "King of the Hill Challenge" will be the final event for 2011. For all the latest news about the Quincy Raceways log online at http://www.quincyraceways.com/.

New for 2011 for 34 Raceway and Quincy Raceways is the Q34 Dual Track IMCA Late Model Points Challenge. It is a combined points challenge between the two tracks for the IMCA Late Models. In order to be eligable for the $1,500 first place prize, a driver must compete at 75% of the events at both tracks. There points will be based on there best 75% finishes. Plus 2 bonus points will be award to the track champion and 2 bonus points to any driver who competes at 100% of the events at each track. $1,000 will go to 2nd, $600 for 3rd, $500 for 4th, $400 for 5th, $300 for 6th, $250 for 7th, $200 for 8th, $150 for 9th and $100 for 10th.

The Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa holds racing in the Modifieds, Stock Cars, B-Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Legends (Mod Lites) and 4 Cylinders on Friday nights. Mother nature spoiled there practice day scheduled for Sunday, March 27th, as cold temperatures forced them to cancel. A car show at the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort is set for Saturday, April 2nd. Friday, April 8th is the season opening points night. The "Racing For Freedom" event will be held on Friday, May 27th. Then on Wednesday, June 1st the Corn Belt Clash, featuring the Open Late Models will invade the raceway. Tuesday, June 14th the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for the IMCA Modifieds makes there debut at the raceway. The annual Cedar County Fair will have two nights of racing. The first on Thursday, July 14th when the Sprint Invaders come to town. Then on Friday, July 15th will be the weekly points race. On Tuesday, August 2nd the Deery Brothers Summer Series, featuring the IMCA Late Models will invade the Cedar County Raceway. The final event on the schedule is on Friday, August 26th as the USMTS Modifieds make there inaugural visit to the raceway. This event will be part of the "Hunt" for the 2011 National Champion, which means it will pay the winner $3,000 to win. For more information about the Cedar County Raceway go online at http://www.cedarcountyraceway.net/.

Another local area track that races weekly on Friday nights is the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa, featuring the IMCA Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks and 4 Cylinder Stocks. A practice night is scheduled for Friday, April 8th from 6pm-9pm. Then on Friday, April 15th the Deery Brothers Summer Series for the IMCA Late Models is set to invade the 1/4 mile. The season points opener is scheduled for Friday, April 22nd. There will be a week off on April 29th, as the Torque Fest moves into the fairgrounds. A IMCA Modified Shootout, paying $2,000 to win, is set for May 27th. June 17th is another off night, as Sturgis on the River takes over the fairgrounds. Mid-Season Championship is set for June 24th. Then on Friday, July 29th (set up for the Mississippi Valley Fair) and Friday, August 5th (Mississippi Valley Fair week) there will be no races. The final night for points will be Friday, August 26th. Then the season finale will be the All Star Classic, featuring the IMCA Late Models on the 1/2 mile, on Friday, Sept. 9th. To keep up with the latest news about the Davenport Speedway log online at http://www.drttrak.com/.

The West Liberty Raceway in West Liberty, Iowa holds there weekly program on Saturday nights, featuring IMCA Late Models, Open Modifieds, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA 4 Cylinders. A car show and practice day is set for Saturday, April 16th starting at 1pm. The "Spring Championship" is scheduled for Saturday, April 23rd to kick-off the season points races. Then on Saturday, April 30th the Open Late Models will invade the 1/2 mile for an event paying $10,000 to win. On July 2 it will be the "Firecracker 50", featuring twin 25 lap IMCA Late Model features. Tuesday, July 12th the Deery Brothers Summer Series will make there debut at the raceway. The Muscatine County Fair race is set for Saturday, July 23rd. Another $10,000 to win for the Open Late Models is scheduled for Tuesday, August 9th. Then the final night to earn points is set for August 27th. The final event on the 2011 schedule is the "Liberty 100" on Friday, Oct. 7th and Saturday, Oct 8th. For more information about the West Liberty Raceway log online at http://www.simmonspromotionsinc.com/.

Another track that runs weekly Saturday night races is the Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois, featuring UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, Limited Late Models, UMP Street Stocks and UMP Hornets. New owner Curt Mottaz of Brimfield, Illinois has put out a schedule full of weekly and special events. A practice event was scheduled for Saturday, March 26th, but cold temperatures forced it to be cancelled. The season will get underway on Sunday, April 3rd with the "Don Bohlander Tribute", featuring the UMP Late Models battling it out for $4,000 to win. On Saturday, April 9th the weekly points battles will begin. An Outlaw Street Stock Special is set for Sunday, May 29th. Then on Saturday, June 4th the POWRi Midgets take to the speedway. A NASCAR Night is on the schedule for Wednesday, June 15th. The annual visit for the UMP Summernationals, featuring the Late Models, will be held on Wednesday, July 6th. On Sunday, July 24th the Sprint Invaders make there way to Peoria. Season Championship night to crown the 2011 champs will be Saturday, August 27th. The following three weekends will feature the IL State Championships, with the Limited Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets being held on Sept. 3. Saturday, Sept. 10th will be an off weekend, with possible go-karts. Then the Modified IL State Championship will be held on Sept. 17th, followed by the Late Models on Sept. 24th. The final event will be the Al Archdale Jr. Memorial Mini Sprint Nationals on October 1st. Log online at peoriaspeedway.com to get the latest news about the Peoria Speedway.

The Quad City Speedway in East Moline, Illinois runs there weekly racing program on Sundays, featuring the IMCA Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, Open Modifieds, Street Stocks and 4 Cylinders. New for the 2011 season will be the hiring of Shane Davis, as the track manager, by the Rock Island County Fairboard. The Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models will kick off the 2011 season on Sunday, April 17th. Then the following Sunday, April 24th will be the season opening points event. On Sunday, June 12th the Open Modifieds will compete for $1,000 to win during the Ronnie Weedon Memorial. Tuesday, July 19th is a tentative Rock Island County Fair race, with the IMCA Modifieds gunning for $1,000 to win. On the following night, Wednesday, July 20th the IMCA Late Models will go for $1,500 and the Street Stocks for $700 to win on night 2 of racing during the Rock Island County Fair. The end of the points chase will come to a close for all weekly classes, except IMCA Modifieds which will be Sept. 25th, on Sunday, August 28th. A weekly race will be held on Sept. 4th, with no races being held on Sept. 11th. The Gary Reinhart Memorial, featuring the Open Modifieds for $1,000 to win, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 18th. Then the final race of the 2011 season will be the Deery Brothers Summer Series Finale on Saturday, Sept. 24th and Sunday, Sept. 25th. Saturday, Sept 24th will be the "Race of Champions" for the IMCA Late Models, paying $800 to win. Then on Sunday, Sept. 25th The IMCA Late Models will battle for $5,000 to win and the IMCA Modifieds for $1,000 to win. For more information on the Quad City Speedway log online at quadcityspeedway.webs.com.

For me, my 2011 season will get underway on Saturday, April 2nd with a trip up to the LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle, Illinois for night two of the "Illini 100", featuring the World of Outlaw Late Models. Then on the following Saturday, April 9th it will be off to the Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, Indiana for the make-up race for the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series. A possible trip to Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois on Sunday, April 10th for the Deery Brothers Summer Series, featuring the IMCA Late Models. New for 2011 you can follow live updates on my twitter account at twitter.com/MidwstRacinNews.