Trade Center Automotive and Trail Performance sponsor I-80 305 Sprint class

"Greenwood, NE (March 30, 2006) It was announced today that Trade Center Automotive of Lincoln and Trail Performance of Omaha have teamed up to sponsor an increased purse for I-80 Speedway’s 305 Sprint Car class for the 2006 season. The increased purse will ensure that the winner of each 305 Sprint Car feature in 2006 will take home a minimum of $300 and the second place finisher takes home a minimum of $150.

“We’re very pleased that these two fine businesses share our vision of an affordable entry level Sprint Car class and have stepped up with their financial assistance to help make it all possible” said General Manager Tom Gutowski. “We really want to thank Josh and James for their commitment to I-80 Speedway and our economy 305 Sprint Car class” he added.

Trade Center Automotive specializes in sprint cars but serves all racers with racing fuels and track supplies. Trade Center is also a dealer for Hoosier Racing Tires in the Lincoln area carrying a full line of spec. tires for NASCAR and IMCA sanctioned events as well as tires for the independent non-sanctioned tracks and classes in the area.

Trail Performance Coatings offer Hi-Temp Ceramics and other performance coatings for pistons, combustion chambers, valves and other engine parts. Trail Performance also does Custom Powder Coating for restoration and racing applications and is able to match original colors as part of the restoration processes.

The 305 Sprint Car Class will make its first appearance on Friday, April 7th, in support of the ASCS Spring Sizzler. This race is a non-points event with their first point race slated for April 29th. “We wanted to give our teams time to get their cars completed and some seat time before we started racing for points” Gutowski said."

NRP Mar. 31 Practice Canceled

From NE Raceway Park:

The practice scheduled for Friday, March 31st, has been cancelled because of the heavy rains that hit this afternoon.

We're still going to try and race on Saturday as of this time. We will update our status tomorrow (Fri) afternoon.

Also, we'll hold a practice next Tuesday night, April 4th. The gates will open at 5pm and the on-track practice will run from 6pm to 9pm.

This weekend

There's a lot going on for race fans this weekend. Here's a quick rundown. For more information please visit the track's website or give them a call.

Events for weekend of April 1 (alphabetical by track)

Beatrice Speedway

The Women For Racing (WFR) Car Show and Test & Tune will be held this coming Saturday, April 1. The Car show will be held downtown Beatrice in cooperation with "Main Street Beatrice," starting at 10AM. Test and Tune will be held at Beatrice Speedway from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Packing the track will begin at 12:30pm. April 8th, starts our regular racing season!!!

Junction Motor Speedway

Junction Motor Speedway officially opened the Nebraska racing season two weeks ago with the United States Modified Touring Series and Open Stock Cars. Seventy-seven Modified teams representing nine states and Fort Francis, Ontario-Canada along with nearly thirty drivers in the stock car division took on the 3/8 mile speed plant. Numerous complimentary comments were received from many first time visitors about the modern facilities and amenities available on the grounds of JMS.

This Saturday-April 1st, Media Reps will tour the track and register for 2006 JMS Media Photo Passes. Junction Motor Speedway has received many requests for media passes from all over the United States. Members of the media will ascertain ‘the inside scoop’ of this seasons activity and can make plans for events which will fit their summer schedule. This Saturday’s Test & Tune session will be an excellent opportunity to get those pictures of cars on the track, locate the best places for photo or video coverage of the races, speak to the officials and enjoy some great food and fun.

Junction Motor Speedway is located 4 miles south of the I-80 York exit on Highway 81 at McCool Junction, NE.

For more information, call Barb Nunnenkamp at 402-773-5538 ext 9. Track hours for the Test & Tune session and Media Day will be from 12:00 noon until 5:00 PM on Saturday- April 1st.

Midwest Racers Autograph Day

The 2006 Midwest Racers Autograph Day takes place on April 1, 2006 at Uncle Ron’s Wild West Saloon, 340 W. Cornhusker Hwy., Lincoln, NE from 11AM – 4PM.

This year’s event features cars and drivers from a variety of classes racing at Midwest tracks. Sprints, stock cars, mini-sprints, karts and other vehicles will be on display and fans get a chance to see their favorite machines up close.

Amy Wooten of Lincoln Mortgage is putting up two sponsorship opportunities for Autograph Day Participants; $1000 and $500 sponsorship contracts. Autograph day visitors have the chance to meet Nebraska racing legends such as Frank “Zook” Scdoris, “Smokin Joe” Wade, Willie Ideen and Denny Oltman.

Autograph Day 2006 has more activities and giveaways for kids and adults than ever before, including rides on the now-famous Uncle Ron’s Mechanical Bull. Fans get a chance to win a NASCAR Jack Daniels leather jacket from “Uncle Ron”, t-shirts and other prizes.

Food and beverages are available so come out and get your preview of the 2006 racing season!

Admission and participation is FREE for fans and racers. Visit www.AutographDay.homestead.com for racer registration and fan information.

NRP / I-80 Speedway

Nebraska Raceway Park's I-80 Speedway is gearing up host the MLRA/TORA North-South Shootout Saturday, April 1 st at the 4/10ths mile speed plant. Over 60 Super Late Models are expected to compete along with Home Pride Pro Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and B-Mods.

On Saturday, race day, the gates open at 4PM, hot laps are scheduled for 6PM and the racing action starts at 6:30PM. A driver's meeting is scheduled for 5:45PM and the draw closes at the same time. Gate admissions are $16 for adults, students (11 – 17) and seniors (over 62) is $13, with kids 10 and under free. Pit passes are $30

Beatrice Speedway adds to April 8 purse

In an effort to draw more cars to the speedway, Beatrice Speedway is offering bonus money to the Modified and Hobby Stock divisions, with non-regulars from 2005 being offered additional bonus to beat the locals.

With Eagle moving their Icebreaker Challenge to the 15th and going dark on the 8th, plus I-80 not running modifieds, this could be a very big show in terms of car count

From Beatrice Speedway: "Beatrice Speedway announces that Saturday, April 8th, there will be an added bonus paid out to the winner of the IMCA Modified and IMCA Hobby Stock Divisions.

The IMCA Modified winner will receive $750, and if the winner was not a Beatrice Speedway regular driver in 2005, they will receive $1,000 to win.

The IMCA Hobby Stock winner will receive $250.

April 8th is the opening night at Beatrice Speedway. All classes will draw for their heats and re-draw for their A feature positions.

Admission $8 Pit $20"

JMS to host media for April 1 open house

By Barb Nunnenkamp - Junction Motor Speedway

Junction Motor Speedway officially opened the Nebraska racing season two weeks ago with the United States Modified Touring Series and Open Stock Cars. Seventy-seven Modified teams representing nine states and Fort Francis, Ontario-Canada along with nearly thirty drivers in the stock car division took on the 3/8 mile speed plant. Numerous complimentary comments were received from many first time visitors about the modern facilities and amenities available on the grounds of JMS.

This Saturday-April 1st, Media Reps will tour the track and register for 2006 JMS Media Photo Passes. Junction Motor Speedway has received many requests for media passes from all over the United States. Members of the media will ascertain ‘the inside scoop’ of this seasons activity and can make plans for events which will fit their summer schedule. This Saturday’s Test & Tune session will be an excellent opportunity to get those pictures of cars on the track, locate the best places for photo or video coverage of the races, speak to the officials and enjoy some great food and fun.

Junction Motor Speedway is located 4 miles south of the I-80 York exit on Highway 81 at McCool Junction, NE.

For more information, call Barb Nunnenkamp at 402-773-5538 ext 9. Track hours for the Test & Tune session and Media Day will be from 12:00 noon until 5:00 PM on Saturday- April 1st.

Eagle Raceway Reschedules Icebreaker Challenge

By Jason Orth

Eagle Raceway announced today it is delaying the start of the 2006 season one week due to a scheduling conflict between its season opening Icebreaker Challenge and I-80 Speedway's ASCS Spring Sizzler, both of which feature the 360 sprint car class. Both races were scheduled for Saturday April 8. Eagle Raceway's open house will now take place the afternoon of April 8 (moved from April 1), with the Icebreaker Challenge running on April 15.

After both tracks released their schedules sprint teams were faced with a tough decision on which race to attend. Several Eagle Raceway regulars are competing for the ASCS Midwest Region championship, which (except for the April 8 date) didn't conflict with Eagle's Saturday night schedule. However, the Icebreaker Challenge is an Eagle Raceway point show and many of those same drivers are running for the season points championship at Eagle. In February, Eagle Raceway added pressure when they upped the Icebreaker purse to $2000 to the winner with double points, and stated the June 8 Jim Eckley Memorial sprint race would be an invite-only format with preference given to those who attended Eagle Raceway events. The two races, only 10 miles apart would have fragmented the 360 sprint class car count, where recent declines have been a concern for promoters in the region.

There are conflicting accounts of who scheduled what and when as evidenced in the Eagle Raceway post and NRP/I-80 GM Tom Gutowski's post on DirtDrivers.com where he stated that NRP had discussed the situation prior to scheduling with Eagle Raceway promoter Roger Hadan.

Text From the Eagle Raceway website: "Eagle Raceway has been the Saturday open wheel show in the Midwest for many, many years. Somehow, an open wheel show has been scheduled against Eagle’s Ice Breaker Challenge. With these two tracks being so close to each other, the Eagle Raceway management has decided that it would be in the best interest for our great fans and racers, to move our practice from April 1st to April 8th running 3:00-6:00 pm. Also, our opening points night for all four classes, the Ice Breaker Challenge, will be rescheduled on April 15th with racing at 7:00 pm.

We at Eagle Raceway, hope that the double scheduling of open wheel racing in this area on Saturday nights, will not happen again. We would never consider scheduling a Late Model race on a Sunday. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to see all of you at Eagle Raceway this year for the most exciting 1/3 mile action anywhere."

MLRA/TORA North-South Shootout opens I-80 season

NE Raceway Park:

"Greenwood, NE (March 25, 2005) Nebraska Raceway Park's I-80 Speedway is gearing up host the MLRA/TORA North-South Shootout Saturday, April 1 st at the 4/10ths mile speed plant. Over 60 Super Late Models are expected to compete along with Home Pride Pro Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and B-Mods.

“Thanks to a very mild winter we've never really stopped working on the facility since last fall and the racers and fans will notice marked improvements in visibility and safety upgrades to the track” stated General Manager Tom Gutowski. “We torn out all of the old outside guardrail, improved the entrance gate to the pits, and installed new wheel fencing and poles from turn 2 all the way around to the front straight off of turn 4. Three more traffic lights have been installed around the track to help inform the racers of yellow or red flag conditions sooner and the track surface has been raised relative to the top of the wall on the front straight so that the fans can see the cars much better” Gutowski added.

I-80 Speedway's North-South Shootout is the 2 nd leg of the event for the MLRA and TORA Super Late Models in the young 2006 season and a host of top name competitors from both groups are expected to join the top local area competitors to compete for Saturday's $3,000 to win top prize. “We're expecting a huge turn-out of Super Late Models for this event including many of the WDRL competitors who are off this weekend” said Gutowski."

Autograph Day Featured this Tuesday on KLMS

The Average Joe Sports Show will feature special guests representing Midwest Racers Autograph Day on Tuesday April 28 at 5PM on KLMS 1480 AM in Lincoln. Guests include 3 of the 5 Grand Marshalls, Sponsor Amy Wooten of Lincoln Mortgage and "Uncle Ron, " of Uncle Ron's Wild West Saloon, the host of the event.

Autograph Day will be held on Saturday April 1, from 11AM to 4 PM.

2006 Autograph Day Features Activities, Giveaways

2006 Autograph Day Features Activities, Giveaways

LINCOLN, NE (March 21, 2006) – The 2006 Midwest Racers Autograph Day takes place on April 1, 2006 at Uncle Ron’s Wild West Saloon, 340 W. Cornhusker Hwy., Lincoln, NE from 11AM – 4PM.

This year’s event features cars and drivers from a variety of classes racing at Midwest tracks. Sprints, stock cars, mini-sprints, karts and other vehicles will be on display and fans get a chance to see their favorite machines up close.

Amy Wooten of Lincoln Mortgage is putting up two sponsorship opportunities for Autograph Day Participants; $1000 and $500 sponsorship contracts. Autograph day visitors have the chance to meet Nebraska racing legends such as Frank “Zook” Scdoris, “Smokin Joe” Wade, Willie Ideen and Denny Oltman.

Autograph Day 2006 has more activities and giveaways for kids and adults than ever before, including rides on the now-famous Uncle Ron’s Mechanical Bull. Fans get a chance to win a NASCAR Jack Daniels leather jacket from “Uncle Ron”, t-shirts and other prizes.

Food and beverages are available so come out and get your preview of the 2006 racing season!

Admission and participation is FREE for fans and racers. Visit www.AutographDay.homestead.com for racer registration and fan information.




Autograph Day Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available

If you would like to get your name and let thousands of race fans know about your business for less than the price of mass-media ads, you have your chance on April 1, 2006 as Midwest Motorsports Promotions presents Midwest Racers Autograph Day.

Midwest Racers Autograph Day is a FREE event for racers and fans, and is a great opportunity to promote racing and get your name out to fans known for loyalty to businesses supporting their sport. Basic business sponsorships start at just $75 and for only $125, you get space on site to display your business.

Last season, over 3,000 fans of all ages and nearly 100 race vehicles attended this event. Autograph Day will be featured in a live remote on 95.1 FM.

It’s not too late for a chance to get a great advertising value! Contact Gary Dominguez at 402-432-6316 or visit www.autographday.homestead.com.  

Saathoff takes Beatrice Spring Natls.

Message Board - dirtdrivers.com: "JET Racing Sweeps top three postions at 13th Annual IMCA Spring Nationals
By Scott Wisdom

Despite the frigid temperatures, Beatrice Speedway completed the 13th Annual IMCA Spring Nationals and IMCA Stock Car Spring Fling. What a show is was for the fans that braved the cold weather.

In IMCA Modifieds Johnny Saathoff took his Pinnacle Bank, Irwin Tools, Toobies Lumber, Chase Decals, JR Motorsports powered Jet Mod to the $3,300 payday. Saathoff to the lead from the start and at several points had a half of straightaway lead over the second place car. With several cautions throughout the race he still managed to hold off Jay Noteboom of Hinton, IA in his Noteboom Farms, Jet Racing, Sybersma Graphics Jet Mod who ran second the whole race., Defending Spring Nationals Champion Brian Foote came home in 3rd in his Hart Varms, Foote Repair, Video 2000, Jet Racing Jet Mod, Ricky 'Racer' Stephan in his Dirtworks came home in 4th and Cory Lagroon came home in 5th in his Dirt Works.

In the IMCA Spring Fling were Mike Vangerderen took advantage of a last lap dash after a late yellow involved a couple of front running contenders and took the closely attested checkers followed by Randy Killen, Todd Laflin, Jeremy Bell and Bryan LaRiviere.

The Beatrice Speedway would like to thank each and every driver, crew member, fan and officials that braved the frigid weather to make this show the great show that it was. "

Speed Secrets moves to Fox 4 & 17, expands coverage

Message Board - dirtdrivers.com:

"After four years and 178 television episodes, SPEED SECRETS will test a larger market coverage area in an earlier time slot. Starting this Sunday, SPEED SECRETS will now be available for viewing on FOX 4-KSNB and FOX 17-KTVG. These two stations are based in Kearney with offices in Kearney, Grand Island & Lincoln. The FOX 4 & 17 Channels encompass a large over-the-air antenna signal and are available on numerous local cable providers and satellite dish systems. The move will now expose our commercial advertisers products and services much further west in Nebraska and much further south into 16 additional north central Kansas counties. This Sunday's test show of SPEED SRCRETS will air much earlier than usual, at 7:30 AM. Starting on April 2nd, SPEED SECRETS will air Sundays at 8:30 AM. "

Droud family plans for 2006

Looks like Rodney will not be back to defend his Eagle Raceway championship but will hit the road with his father and brother to make noise on the 360 tours across the Midwest.

Official Rodney Droud Web Site: "(03/17) On the day that my Grandpa Dallas Droud passed away almost 40 years ago, I would like to announce the plans of the DARE 2 Team for 2006.

I’m excited to say that I WILL be racing again but in a little different capacity. I may have some opportunities to drive on a hit-and-miss basis, but have decided to step aside as the full-time driver of the family-based program and work toward bringing the team another season of success.

We’ve decided to focus our attention on racing in multiple series, such as the ASCS and NCRA, rather than race for a track title. While we may take the car to Eagle Raceway on a limited basis, it’s our intention to race as many races as we can at as many different tracks as possible. Our plan is to not have a plan at all. We just want to win, baby!

Here are some of the details of the DARE 2 Team for 2006:

Driver: DON DROUD, JR.
Owner: DON DROUD, SR.
Car: 2005 EAGLE
Colors: RED & WHITE
Number: 2
Engine: OSTRICH RACING ENGINES, Des Moines, Iowa
Tires: HOOSIER by TRIPLE “R” TIRE
Shocks: PRO
Wheels: WELD"

Beatrice Speedway Spring Natls. Update

From Beatrice Speedway:

Spring Nationals Friday Schedule:

Friday Start: 6:30pm Pit $20 Grandstand $10

Saturday: Races start Pit $30 Grandstand $15

According to radio station KWBE, races are scheduled to start at Noon on Saturday.

Weather Conditions are expected to be wet and cold, therefore Sunday's show will be combined with the Saturday. Stock Cars will still run with the Saturday event.

Many of our drivers and pit crew are in Beatrice and ready to race. It's going to be a great show!! Over 106 cars are pre-registered with 5 cars as far away as Canada. Join us tonight !!! Great racing planned!! 6:30pm We will keep you updated with any schedule changes on this website (Beatricespeedway.com)."

Beatrice Spring Nationals

The annual Beatrice Spring Nationals featuring IMCA Modifieds and Stock cars takes place March 17-19. Over 83 modifieds and 28 stock cars are pre-registered. Visit www.beatricespeedway.com for more information.

Spring Nationals is set to be a great weekend of fun, with over 90 drivers pre-registered to attend. March 16 - starts with a Test & Tune, 6-9pm
Grandstand - FREE, Pit $15
March 17 - 6:30 Start, Grandstand $10, Pit $20
March 18 - 4:00 Start, Grandstand $12, Pit $25
March 19 - 1:00 Start, Grandstand $12, Pit $25

Tesch Tops JMS

O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series: "MCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. -- After a bumpy track on Friday that challenged the physical and mechanical endurance of each team, the Junction Motor Speedway crew provided a smooth and dry 'drivers track' on Saturday as the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series put the wraps on the 3rd Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw at the McCool Junction, Neb., speedplant.

The smooth racing surface was a perfect fit for the smooth-driving Jon Tesch as he led wire-to-wire in Saturday's 30-lap 'A' main. Tesch, who scored his last O’Reilly USMTS victory last June, withstood an early-race challenge from Dean Mahlstedt, then held off Mark Noble over the final few laps to pocket the $3,000 top prize."

Friesen wins USMTS opener

Good night for the first show of the year. They ran off 70 mods and 3 heats of stock cars in a little under 4 hours, and it would have been a lot less had it not been for a red and half a dozen yellows in the A. For that kind of car count and the first night - I won't complain. It was COLLLD, but a good time.

Track was "springtime rough," and that's not an insult. At this time of the year, the tracks haven't been worked enough to get a solid base, but it stayed relatively fast all night and drivers avoided any of the larger ruts out there (and there weren't many that were that big).

Great race with several lead changes in the feature with local boy Jason Friesen coming out on top. The B features were wild too, a lot of good equipment sat on the trailer for the A - these are a tough bunch.

"MCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. -- With 70 drivers from nine States and Canada signed in to do battle, the O’Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Touring Series put the first event of the 2006 season in the books Friday night with the running of the 3rd Annual Nebraska Spring Thaw at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb.

At the end of a nerve-testing night of action, it was a local ace standing in victory lane and a new name added to the O’Reilly USMTS list of winners.

With many of the nation's hottest Modified drivers in attendance, Jason Friesen of Sutton, Neb., survived a tough racetrack and an even tougher field of competition as he stormed to his first career O’Reilly USMTS feature win at the 3/8-mile clay oval." Full article - dirtdrivers.com:

Here's a shot of the winner in action early in the evening (click for larger):

Editorial: Climate of Negativity and a Call to Action

I promise to smile for a while after this :-)

Wow, racing season in Nebraska is here already. This weekend it’s the USMTS at JMS and I’m heading out to get my first taste of dirt since September. I’m excited to get out, smell burning fuel and take some pictures. It’s been a warm winter. Whether it’s a factor of global warming is subject to debate, but I see one place where things are heating up – the climate of negativity.

Over the past few years there’s been a disturbing trend. No matter how many silver-lined events are scheduled, there is always the group of people who want to go on about the cloud. Yeah, I know it’s a cliché, but I’m seeing race fanatics tire of the negativity and look for other things to do and that, as a race fan should worry you. It’s happened before – look at sprint car racing in Nebraska in the late 70’s.

My problem is that many of those who constantly find fault while claiming to act in Robin Hood’s spirit do more to hurt the sport than help it.

Two recent races were added to Eagle Raceway’s schedule. The first is a tribute to the late Jim Eckley, a long-time race team owner and supporter of Eagle’s 360 sprint car show. Eagle renamed its Backrow Challenge in honor of Eckley along with support donated by the family. While many new shows are given little time to grow, support thrown behind this event started in 2005 is a move in the right direction.

Unfortunately, the boo birds left the nest and crapped on the race below. Someone found fault with the invite-only format that rewarded cars participating in the weekly show. Another found fault with the rules. Another criticized the spirit of the event saying it’s not the way Jim would have wanted it. Did Jim tell you that? Jim’s son, Jay had to step in to defend the program, months before the race is even scheduled! Why should he have to defend himself for putting on a show?

This week, the ASCS announced a Midwest Region tour stop at Eagle. ASCS fanatics have been vocal in their call for this show, and no sooner did it happen but yet another genius for our sake complains about how Eagle didn’t have ASCS races before. The genie granted him a wish and the first thing they did was spend time groaning about the pain of previous injustices and hurl insults at the alleged perpetrator.

My question to those who continue to ignore the doughnut and complain about the hole is this: what do you want? Should we bring the nuclear-powered DeLorean out of the garage and transport you back in time? What’s done is done. Do you revel in agony? Do you WANT to see things fail so you can complain later, grandstand for everyone saying "I told you so," claim the title of genius and nobody can prove you wrong? It's like hanging garlic in the house and saying because of what you did there's no vampires...I guess I can't argue with that, but I can't say it's true, either.

This constant ingratitude kills promoter’s wills. It kills fan's desire and particpipants ask why they even bother. It’s not just the Internet either. The “don’t turn on the computer” approach doesn’t work when many of those same people are complaining at the pit meeting, moaning at the pay window and derailing off-season meetings. This makes us look bad to fans. What do these people say when their non-race fan neighbor asks them about their hobby? That they race in spite of X, Y, or Z screwing them over? How does that look?

These people spout doom and gloom and the only solutions they provide always seem to involve giving them something (go figure). They’re adamant with their positions on how they’re being screwed yet call others inflexible and unwilling to listen. Look close – see how these people behave and look at their motives.

I asked in a recent post how many people would make noise in the ASCoT’s purse reduction and not a peep was heard – especially from the people groaning over Eagle’s similar action. Where’s the crusading on “behalf of the sport?” Shouldn't the horrible thing done to the racers by the series that will vault sprint car racing into the 21st century have met with more resistance? It’s time we question the motives; are these people crusaders for us poor idiots acting on behalf of the sport or on behalf of themselves, be it personal gain or personal vendettas?

The irony of this not being a “positive” piece is not lost, but unlike others I’m going to offer a solution. It requires work on our part, and isn’t just dependent on the nay-sayers’ behavior....

We have to change the climate of negativity. We need to be more vocal and active in our support. It’s not enough to ignore those who cause trouble for self-serving needs or shake our heads when they rant again. We need to be more aggressive in our support of the actions we appreciate and to openly address, confront and question those who argue against them. Put them on the defensive this time. Not once in history has sitting idle “supported” anything. It didn’t work for hurricane relief, and sitting on the sidelines while others act in ways that hurt the sport is just as bad. As the saying goes: if you don’t condemn it, you condone it.

There’s always a place for debate, but take the time to consider all the angles before getting up on your soapbox. Does this help racing? Generally if it does – the benefits find their way to you in the end.

History buffs and those who thrive on nostalgia like to use the term “Golden Age” for those periods fond to them. For Eagle’s sprint car fans, the Golden Age could have been in the 60’s and 70’s when the “original” Outlaws like Dick Sutcliffe, Ray Lee Goodwin, Jr. and Joe Saldana hit the track. Some see the revival of the sprint car class, first at Midwest Speedway and later at Eagle as a Golden Age. For others the recent years of 40-car nights, a dozen winners, and the high-energy “entertainment” theme could be a candidate for a Golden Age, but it’s too early to tell just as it’s too early to condemn the current management to the dark closet of history. It will take years to make that judgment.

However, if this climate of negativity continues to intensify we’ll have no racing – a dark age – and it will only take a matter of seconds to figure that out.

ASCS Midwest vs. N. Plains at Eagle Raceway

Those who've been vocal for an ASCS show at Eagle get their wish as the American Sprint Car Series visits Eagle Raceway for the first time with a Midwest vs. North Plains region race on Saturday July 22, 2006. No further details have been released by ASCS or Eagle Raceway at this time.

Given it's on a Saturday there should be a good count of cars with the regular field. However, there are cars not running ASCS motor rules that are legal to run the weekly show at Eagle Raceway (albeit not many). It's unknown what these cars' plans will be for that night and if Eagle will also run for track points that night.

I'll keep you posted.

Link - ASCS Midwest Region Schedule

Chapman, Bowers join forces for 2006

Chapman, Bowers join forces for 2006

LINCOLN, Neb. (March 7, 2006) - Toby Chapman and the Rocket Motorsports Team are currently making final preparations for the 2006 racing season. The team will join forces with car owners Rick and Michele Bowers from Omaha, NE. Sponsors for the #84 Maxim include Select Auto, Select Auto Body, Trade Center Automotive, Arbor Garage, Jones Automotive, Carberry Construction, Backlund Plumbing and Eckley Racing Engines.

The team will start the 2006 season with a trip to the American Sprint Cars Series on Tour (ASCoT) race at Devils Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas on March 17-18. After retuning to Nebraska, the team will focus on the ASCS Midwest Region schedule, weekly races at Eagle Raceway and a few NCRA shows.

2005 was a break through season for Rocket Motorsports. The team picked up their first feature win on August 27 at Eagle Raceway. Two weeks later Toby climbed aboard veteran car owner Gary Swenson's 24B and took the win at the ESTS Nebraska Cup at Eagle. Chapman finished the 2005 season with three top ten finishes in point standings with a second place finish in the inaugural season of the ASCS Midwest Region, a fourth place finish with the ESTS (Eagle Sprint Touring Series) and a seventh place finish in Eagle Raceway points.

For more information about Toby Chapman and Rocket Motorsports please visit www.tobychapman.com

USMTS @ JMS Pre Entry List

So far, it's shaping up to be a high-quality field this weekend at JMS.

Message Board - dirtdrivers.com: "Junction Motor Speedway Pre-Entries as of 3/6/06:

Dustin Boney, Shawnee, KS (Regional)
Wade Cross, Phillips, NE (Regional)
Dave Hardesty, Minneapolis, KS (Regional)
Roger Hadan, Waterloo, NE (National)
Timmy Current, Bernard, IA
Clayton Christensen, Spencer, IA (National)
Jason Friesen, Sutton, NE (Regional)
Jim Horejsi, Echo, MN (Regional)
Scott Ward, Watertown, SD (Regional)
Dean Mahlstedt, Clear Lake, IA (National)
Kelly Shryock, Fertile, IA (National)
Al Hejna, Clear Lake, IA (National)
Jason Hughes, Colcord, OK (National)
Ryan Ruter, Forrest City, IA (National)
Tommy Myer, Blooming Prairie, MN (National)
Brad McEwan, Storm Lake, IA (National)
Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, IA (National)
Matt Richards, Lincoln, NE (Regional)
Jeff Schluetter, New Hampton, IA (National)
Mike Johnson, Council Bluffs, IA (Regional)
Alan Mondus, Lakeville, MN (National)
Jay Poidinger, Somerset, WI (National)
Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK (National)
Danny McKeighan, Council Bluffs, IA
Mike Lineberry, Fontenelle, NE (Regional)
Joshua Vinnedge, Foreston, IL (National)"

We are extremely pleased with the number of national and regional licenses purchased so far, as well as the number of pre-entries. We have more than double the number of pre-entered drivers for this race compared to last year. Last year we had about 60 cars at Junction and we are planning on at least 80 this year.

ASCS National Tour Purse Reduced

Finally someone is realizing that the price of these shows is getting out of hand - especially now there are three national touring sprint car series this year.

It will be interesting to see if the same people whining about the purse cuts at Eagle will apply the same logic here or will their true motives come to light?

American Sprint Car Series:

"Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (March 2, 2006) – In an effort to better serve both track promoters and race teams, the purse for the O’Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour has been restructured for the 2006 season.

While the purse has been restructured to be more affordable for tracks across the country, the previously announced $150,000 point fund with $50,000 earmarked for the 2006 series champion is still in place.

The winner’s share for each one night event has been changed to $3,000, with the balance of the changes made through the middle of the purse. The tenth place feature finisher in each one night event will receive $750, with all feature starters still earning $400.

“The effects of this restructuring will be twofold,” explained series president and founder Emmett Hahn. “The revised purse structure is more affordable for more tracks now, so that will help get some of them off the fence and book some races. And the racers will benefit by having more races, which will more than offset what we’ve had to trim from the original purse structure.”"

DIRT MotorSports Announces Three New Key Positions to the Company

Word is this was a pre-requisite to obtaining additional investment capital. These three however have a firm background in the race community and should be a positive force for DIRT.

DIRT MotorSports Announces Three New Key Positions to the Company

"DIRT MotorSportsTM (DIRT) (OTCBB: DMSP) announces the addition of three new executive officers to the Company. Tom Deery joins the Company as President; Rob Butcher joins the Company as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer; and Ben Geisler joins the Company as Executive Vice President of Operations."