The Pace Lap - Wingless Sprints and notes from around

Not since the 1970s has a wingless sprint car series competed for a
track championship at Eagle Raceway. This Saturday, the tops come off
the 360 cubic inch sprinters and will do so the first Saturday of
every month at the track outside Lincoln. Since their return to weekly
racing in 1984, the sprint cars have had large aluminum airfoils
straddling the roll cages and the hoods as their distinguishing mark.
While many dirt track afficionados see the wingless variety of sprint
cars as the "pure" form of sprint car racing, casual fans may see
something they're not used to.

When asked why he would depart from the norm, Eagle Raceway promoter
Roger Hadan said he "wanted to try something new, try to get in a new
type of fan and try to grow a potential new class." He expects 25-30
cars to compete, including many of the weekly drivers.

In the early 2000's, Eagle Raceway brought the touring 410-cubic inch
California-based SCRA series to compete against USAC drivers as part
of the Eagle Nationals, and I-80 Speedway has featured the Wingless
Sprint Bandits in August for the past two seasons.

After winning Eagle Raceway's season opener on April 21, IMCA Modified
driver Jordan Grabouski won the season opener at Beatrice Speedway
last Saturday night.

The ASCS Midwest Region sprint cars will return to Butler County
Motorplex outside of Rising City on Friday June 1. This season, Butler
County is running a limited schedule of four shows and the track is
officially for sale. The United States Modified Touring Series is
scheduled for a July 16 appearance.

After a disqualification by IMCA officials on April 21, Eagle Raceway
Hobby Stock driver Kevin VanLaningham roared to a comeback win,
dominating the A feature on Saturday. This season VanLaningham is
honoring his grandfather, Kenny by running a paint scheme identical to
his grandfather's last race car from 1981. The elder VanLaningham was
inducted into the Beatrice Speedway Hall of Fame in 2006, the first
car owner inducted.

Defending champions had good luck at Eagle Raceway Saturday as Mike
Boston grabbed the Sprint A feature win at Eagle by a bumper's length
ahead of Toby Chapman at the checkered flag, while Chris Alcorn
cruised to a win in the IMCA Modifieds. Dan Rhiley won the IMCA Sport
Compact feature after a 30 minute delay when Doug Lyons flipped hard
in turn three. Lyons needed to be cut from the car and was transported
to the hospital for a precautionary examination.

I-80 Speedway is running a 50-lap "Battle Royale" enduro sport compact
race on Sunday May 6 at 1:00 PM. The regular season for the Greenwood,
Neb. track starts Sunday May 13 with NASCAR-sanctioned Super Late
Models, Grand National Late Models, Hobby Stocks and ProAms.