Monmouth, IL (Thursday, April 19, 2018) - After a shaky start to the week, as far as the weather is concerned, it looks like we may finally get in a full weekend of racing. Much of northern Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin were blanketed with a fresh coating of snow on Tuesday into Wednesday, which has already forced some tracks to cancel for the weekend.
The cancellations started on Wednesday, April 18th, as the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa was scheduled to kick off their 2018 season. But wet grounds and cool temperatures forced them to cancel, with hopes of getting their season going next Wednesday, April 25th....Then on Thursday the Marshalltown Speedway in Marshalltown, Iowa had planned on a twin bill, since they have tried three times now to get their season going. But with the new snow not melting in time for them to get on the track to prep it, they were forced to cancel both Thursday and Friday nights action. They will try again next Thursday, April 26th and Friday, April 27th to get their season started....Another Friday night track that was set to kick off their season was the Farley Speedway in Farley, Iowa. But the snow earlier in the week forced them to pull the plug on Friday nights opener. They will try next Friday, April 27th to get things started.
This would leave very few chances to catch some racing action on Friday night in the state of Iowa. One of those being the beginning of track points at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. All six weekly classes (Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and IMCA Sport Compacts) will be in action, with the Legend Cars joining the card. With many tracks cancelling for Friday the Lee County Speedway is offering the IMCA Modifieds a chance to race for $600 to win, while the IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA SportMods will be going for $500 to win....If you are an open Late Model fan, then the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa is where you want to be. The traveling guys of the Lucas Oil MLRA Late Models will do battle with the areas best Late Models on the 1/2 mile for a chance to win $5,000. Also racing will be the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods and Street Stocks.
If you are in the state of Illinois and are looking for some places that are racing on Friday, here a few choices for you. The Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois is opening their 2018 season, after two attempts to get in the "Illini 100" failed. Also opening their 2018 season is the Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois. Unfavorable weather last Friday the 13th forced them to cancel their originally scheduled season opener. One other choice is the Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, Illinois, as they host the season opener for the MOWA Sprint Cars. Heavy late afternoon showers forced officials to cancel last Fridays stop by the World of Outlaw Craftsman Sprint Cars. So this week the MOWA Sprint Cars will highlight the action.
Just like the Knoxville Raceway has it's Knoxville Nationals for Sprint Cars and the Late Models, and the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio has it's many special events. One track located just outside the little town of Middletown, Iowa, 34 Raceway, has an event that many people circle on their calendars for the least 9 years. That being the "Slocum 50", which will be held for the 10th annual time this Saturday night. Brad Stevens and Jessi Mynatt started this event back in 2009 to honor the late Brent Slocum, who was a Late Model racer himself. But for the 2018 edition of the "Slocum 50" Brad and Jessi have taken on new roles, as Brad now owns the 3/8 mile track and has his long time supporter Jessi is helping him promote the track.
Also new this year for the "Slocum 50" is the sanctioning of the event with the Lucas OIL MLRA Late Models. Many driver's from around the area, along with some travelers, verge to the facility in hopes of taking home the $10,555 top prize. Some of the driver's who have this race on their schedule include: the Simpson brothers (Chad and Chris), Shannon Babb, Brian Shirley, Ryan Unzicker, Tony Jackson Jr., Raymond Merrill, Jason Feger, Jake Neal, Payton Looney, Cole Wells, Jeff Roth, Joe Godsey, Jonathan Brauns, Dave Eckrich, Jeremy Grady, Tyler Bruening. Billy Drake, Justin Zeitner, Frank Heckenast Jr., Tad Pospisil, Gordy Gundaker, Spencer Diercks, Jesse Stovall, and Randy Timms. Others expected to attend or have expressed some interest in coming include: Bob Gardner, Rusty Griffaw, Rickey Frankel, Jay Johnson, Mark Burgtorf, Denny Woodworth, Rob Toland, Scott Schmitt, and Kevin Weaver. Some driver's who are high up in the MLRA points that may attend include: current points leader Ricky Weiss, Will Vaught, Rich Bell and Mason Oberkramer.
As you can see the list of driver's is second to none for this areas Late Models, so I would encourage you to take in this event. Also racing is the 305 Sprints for $1,000 to win and the IMCA Stock Cars fro $555 to win. Arrive early, as this event always brings in a huge crowd.
A couple of other tracks racing on Saturday the 21st is the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa. After the season opener for the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models got rained out last Friday the 13th. This event will now be the opener for the series. Also racing is the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, and Street Stocks....The Maquoketa Speedway in Maquoketa, Iowa will hold their season opener. After trying last Saturday only to get rained out, they will try again this week to get their season started....One track that is very rare to see cancel an event is the Boone Speedway in Boone, Iowa. But for 2018 they have been plagued with weather cancellations, three in a row to be exact. This Saturday they hope to change this, as they plan to open their season.
Your choice of Sunday night racing became one less, as the early week snow storm has forced officials to cancel the season opener at the Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway in Dubuque, Iowa. You can still take in action at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa. As well as the Quad City Speedway in East Moline, Illinois. With the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois being your other choice of Sunday night racing. As always I encourage you to check with all tracks before you head out to make sure they are still racing.
A few weeks ago I wrote an article about what track promoters expenses to income may be. And the numbers it would take in the grandstands for them to break even on a night. Well maybe some people didn't read it or just don't understand, so I encourage you to take the time and go back and read it. Why, you may ask.
Well earlier this week the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa posted a brochure about this weeks races, which included the increased grandstand prices for 2018. Just like the reaction people had with the Beatrice Speedway in Beatrice, Nebraska had in raising there pit passes for 2018, there were some who reacted negatively towards the $2 dollar increase in the grandstands. The Lee County Speedway reacted by dropping the prices back down to the 2017 prices, with notice that for 2019 they will most likely go up.
What I don't understand is for those people who react the way they do, do they want to see tracks start closing there gates? Just like any business, if they continue to loose money night after night, year after year, they will have no choice but to close the gates. If you can't afford to pay your water bill, house payment, car payment, or any other bill do they let you keep those services. NO. Before long they get turned off or reposed. So again I say please get out and support these tracks, before it's to late!
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