FAST

Think about this for a second. Paul McMahan's 14.258sec Belleville record set on July 3 translates to a 157.80 MPH average speed. Now granted there isn't any lifting at Belleville, but my guess is the 160-MPH threshold was crossed more than once.

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Two-dollar Tuesday at I-80

Tuesday, June 7 is $2 Tuesday at I-80 Speedway. Grandstand Admission is JUST $2 for everyone 6 and older with children 5 and under free. Also Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Polish Sausages and some brands of beers will be just $2. It will be another exciting night of NASCAR Whelen All America Series weekly racing with Miller Late Models, Mike’s Hard Lemonade ProAms, Ty’s Outdoor Power & Service B Mods and American Ethanol Green Hornets. Pit gate open at 4pm, Grandstands at 5:30pm with racing at 7.

Pit Passes are $20 with a NASCAR license and $25 without a NASCAR license. For more information call Ed Kosiski at (402)-659-3301.

I-80 Speedway is located off Interstate 80 at exit 420, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The 4/10 mile dirt track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series (NWAAS) on Sunday nights, and host several specials featuring regional touring late model and sprint car series. For more information, visit I-80 Speedway.com.

The Pace Lap - May 26, 2011

Since racing gets started for the weekend tonight, I'll present this a little early.

But not forgotten: Jesse "The Rocket" Hockett passed away one year ago. His presence and legacy is still witnessed every day at nearly any sprint car race in the country. Rest in peace.

3 to get ready: One of the best weekends if you're a sprint car fan. The ASCS Midwest makes a stop at I-80 tonight, JMS Friday (for a potential $3K payout if they raced at I-80) and Eagle's weekly show on Saturday (combined with an expected large crowd from their free ticket giveaway). If you are so inclined, Albion will host the Holt County 360 Sprints on Friday as well. 

I plan on being at one of these - likely JMS. Work and a youngin' in the crib make a late Thursday not so good, and for the same reasons, I usually bolt out shortly after the show on Saturday nights. I gotta be honest - trying to get out after the races following of one of the free ticket nights at Eagle is just...awful.

Alpha-Bits: The annual Alphabet Soup featuring Super Late Models runs Sunday night at I-80 Speedway. This show has produced some wild (and wooly) finishes in recent years. I think it should be on each fan's yearly agenda.

Soap box derby: Last week's sprint car finish at Eagle certainly wasn't to Jack Dover's liking. After passing eventual race winner Logan Forler, he was sent back to second position after a yellow flag where officials scored back to the previous lap, and Dover ostensibly hadn't been in the lead at the line. From my vantage point it was the right call. Simple fact is, if you weren't in the lead when they crossed the line on the previous lap, and the race is scored back a lap - it doesn't matter where you were in corners 2, 3 and 4. The line is where the race is scored. For the record though - it's time to go back to split yellow flags. The technology is there - and really - it isn't a matter of technology.

When Dover failed to line up in second (word is the in-car Raceceiver wasn't working, though Eagle officials state they made it clear on the track - eventually threatening the black flag), the Springfield, NE driver was penalized back to fourth place. A late race charge wasn't enough to take the race and Forler guarded the remaining fast line to take his first win at Eagle, a nice grab for the Washington driver.

Dover spoke his mind at the post-race interview. I was about 10 feet away and...I heard none of it. In fact, I didn't realize something was said until I saw something next day. Should I have listened? Probably.

The fact that I didn't? It's not a judgement on someone, it's just that it's nothing new. When a call is made regarding a pair of drivers, 100% of the calls made will piss off 50% of the people involved. Every time. Because someone had a mic in front of them is only giving entertainment value. Nothing changes.

Happy Birthday, BA: I-80 Speedway photographer Brandon Anderson is celebrating the Big 3-0 this week. 

That's it for today - have fun this weekend and be safe! Also, take time to remember what Memorial Day is about: a tribute to our fallen soldiers. Take a moment to pay some respect.

ASCS Midwest Starts Memorial Day Weekend Festivities with Nebraska Double

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (May 23, 2011) - The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region gets an early start on the Memorial Day weekend racing festivities with a pair of events in Nebraska this Thursday and Friday.

On Thursday, the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region takes to Nebraska Raceway Park's I-80 Speedway in Greenwood. Then, on Friday night, it's on to McCool Junction's Junction Motor Speedway.

Thursday's card offers up a $2,000-to-win first-place purse, while Friday's tilt at McCool Junction is a $3,000-to-win affair provided that the winner competed at I-80 on Thursday night as well. If Friday's winner was not in action Thursday, the winner's cut will be $1,500.

This weekend's double marks the second pair of events for the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region after opening with a two-night stand at I-80 Speedway on April 8-9. A pair of events at Eagle Raceway the following weekend fell victim to inclement weather.

While Washington's Seth Bergman picked off the April 8 win at I-80, it was Missouri's Brian Brown topping the next night atop the 4/10-mile, semi-banked dirt oval and escaping the weekend with the early Midwest points lead.

Brown, a frequent Greenwood winner with eight ASCS Midwest scores at I-80, has a 17-point advantage over Bergman in the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest points chase with Oklahoma's Wayne Johnson and the Nebraska duo of Don Droud, Jr., and Jack Dover rounding out the current top five. The rest of the current top ten includes Tony Bruce, Jr., Gregg Bakker, Ryan Anderson, Lee Grosz and Logan Forler.

While Brown has been the most frequent ASCS Midwest winner at I-80, he also ranks as the only driver to post multiple series visits to victory lane at the semi-banked, 3/8-mile Junction Motor Speedway dirt oval, though it's been nearly three years since his last McCool Junction glory.

Oklahoma's Shane Stewart, the 2009 Lucas Oil ASCS National champion and this year's National points leader, topped last year's Memorial Day weekend event at I-80 while Aurora, Nebraska's Ryan Roberts took top honors at Junction Motor Speedway.

Thursday's action at I-80 Speedway fires off at 7:00 p.m., with Friday's green flag at Junction Motor Speedway also flying at 7:00 p.m.

Nebraska Raceway Park's I-80 Speedway is located in Greenwood, NE, between Lincoln and Omaha off I-80 Exit 420, then 0.4 mile north on SR 63 then west. For more information, contact the track at 402-659-3301 or 402-342-3453.

Junction Motor Speedway is located 5.6 miles south of York, NE, off I-80 Exit 353 on US 81, then 0.3 miles west on CR 4. For more information, contact the track at 402-773-5538 or on race day only at 402-724-3100.

The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region is slated for 22 nights of competition at a seven throughout Nebraska and the surrounding areas of Missouri, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.

Past ASCS Midwest Regional Winners at I-80 Speedway:
4/9/11 - Brian Brown
4/8/11 - Seth Bergman
9/24/10 - Billy Alley
9/3/10 - Brian Brown
7/2/10 - Brian Brown
5/27/10 - Shane Stewart
4/17/10 - Jack Dover
4/16/10 - Dustin Morgan
7/2/09 - Brian Brown
5/21/09 - Chad Humston
4/11/09 - Jonathan Cornell
4/10/09 - Billy Alley
8/14/07 - Jack Dover
4/15/07 - Chuck Swenson (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
4/14/07 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
8/15/06 - Billy Alley
7/3/06 - Jake Peters (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
4/8/06 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
8/3/05 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. National)
7/8/05 - Brian Brown
4/15/05 - Terry McCarl

Past ASCS Midwest Region Winners at Junction Motor Speedway:
9/11/10 - Jason Johnson
7/1/10 - Chad Humston
5/28/10 - Ryan Roberts
5/22/09 - Shane Stewart
6/27/08 - Brian Brown
6/29/07 - Brian Brown
5/25/07 - Garry Lee Maier
6/30/06 - Brian Brown
5/26/06 - Jake Peters
5/27/05 - Jason Danley


The 2011 season marks the 20th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, with approximately 200 nights of competition at tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

Plenty of Action this Memorial Day Weekend at I-80

From I-80 Speedway

There will be plenty of racing action at I-80 Speedway this Memorial Day Weekend. First on Thursday, May 26 it will be the return of the ASCS Midwest Sprint Car Series with the 25 lap feature paying $2,000 to win. The ASCS Midwest Sprints opened there season at I-80 Speedway on April 8 & 9 with two exciting nights of racing. Brian Brown of Grain Valley, Missouri finished second the first night and won the second night to become the ASCS Midwest point leader. Hot on his heals is Snohomish, Washington's Seth Bergman winner of the April 8 event. Drivers, Wayne Johnson, Don Droud, Jr., and Jack Dover round out the top five in ASCS Midwest standings.

NASCAR Late Models, NASCAR Pro-Ams and NASCAR B-Mods will also be racing Thursday and for NASCAR classes these races will be a NASCAR weekly racing series point night. The pit gate opens at 4pm, the Grandstand at 5:30 with racing action beginning at 7. Admission is $15 for Adults, Ages (6-15) $5, with 5 an under free.

Then on Sunday, May 30 its time for an I-80 Memorial Day weekend staple with the tenth running of the Alphabet Soup Race. This year's Soup will have a slightly different blend to it with the addition of the Corn Belt Clash Series (CBC) being added to two familiar ingredients, the Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA) and the National Championship Racing Association (NCRA).

The Soup Race has provided I-80 race fans with some outstanding racing action over the years. Who can ever forget the 2009 Soup Race which after being delayed for two hours because of rain turned into a classic. First with Mike Collins taking the point and holding on for the first third of the race and then the tremendous battle between John Anderson, Chad Simpson and Kyle Berck with Anderson finally prevailing.
Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa will return to the Soup race as the defending champion of the Corn Belt Clash Series. After several rainouts, the CBC finally hopes to get a race in the books on Tuesday, May 24 at Independence, Iowa. A familiar face sets atop both the MLRA and NCRA point standings in "The Shark" Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kansas. Purkey is the seven-time and defending champion of the MLRA and a two-time former champion of NCRA.

The winner of the Soup race will receive a provisional into the Silver Dollar Nationals, the biggest race in Nebraska Racing History. That race to be held on July 22 & 23 will pay $25,000 to win and $1,000 to start. Brad Looney of Republic, Missouri became the first guaranteed starter for the Silver Dollar Nationals when he won the Spring Meltdown at I-80 in early April. On Friday, July 1, a third driver can earn a spot in the starting lineup of the SDN when the three series (CBC, MLRA & NCRA) return for the Midwest Trifecta.

The A Modifieds will be in action at the Soup Race as well, running IMCA type rules with their 30 lap feature paying $2,000 to win. Finally the American Ethanol Green Hornets will be running an unsanctioned program for $200 to win. Pit Gates open at 3pm, Grandstands at 4:30 with racing starting at 5:55. Grandstand Admission is $20 for Adults, Ages (6-15) $5, and Children 5 and under free.

I-80 Speedway is located off Interstate 80 at exit 420, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The 4/10 mile dirt track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series (NWAAS) on Sunday nights, and hosts several specials featuring regional touring late model and sprint car series. For more information, visit www.I-80 Speedway.com

Eagle Nationals June 10-11

From Eagle Raceway

If you don't already have plans to attend the 2011 edition of the Eagle Nationals, featuring the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint cars, then you had better change your plans. The nationally touring 360 sprinter drivers are coming into town to take on the Eagle Raceway regulars on the high banks of the fastest 1/3 mile dirt track anywhere!! And it all happens June 10th and 11th, 2011!!

The Eagle Nationals has a long and storied history, and last year Tony Bruce Jr. decided to bring the national ASCS tour to be a part of it.

2010's preliminary night feature saw the ASCS regulars nearly shutting out the locals for the top spots, with only Billy Alley's 8th place finish making the top 10. Danny Wood, Travis Rilat and Zach Chappell were the podium finishers in a thrilling A Main. Saturday evening saw local Jack Dover finish a very close second to winner Jason Johnson, who would go on to capture the 2010 ASCS points crown last season with Shane Stewart bringing it home third.

This year will again see a 2-day battle in the bullring that is "America's Home Track". Will the touring pilots again emerge victorious in this, their second visit to the track, or can the strong field of drivers who race weekly at Eagle band together and show the visitors how it's done? You can bet that the locals will be doing everything they can to keep the majority of the purse for themselves.

The front gates will open at 5:30 both days, with racing beginning at 7 P.M. You can save $5 by purchasing a weekend pass for only $30 for adults. Friday evening's adult admission is just $15, with kids 6-12 $5 and those 5 and under free. Saturday night adults are $20, kids 6-12 only $5 and children 5 and under free.

For more information or to purchase your advanced tickets just go to the Eagle Nationals page of TBJ Promotion's website at TBJ Promotions
or call 541-778-8630.

You won't want to miss this event at one of the finest facilities in the country. Eagle Raceway is located at the junction of Highway 34 and Nebraska Highway 63; just 11 miles east of Lincoln on Highway 34, or a mere 11 miles south of exit 420 on I-80.

I-80 10th Annual Alphabet Soup Race May 29

From I-80 Speedway

A Memorial Day weekend staple returns to I-80 Speedway on Sunday, May 29 with the running of the Tenth annual Alphabet Soup Race. The race originated in 2002 and has had several different blends of Soup over the years. This year's soup is a mixture of CBC (Corn Belt Clash), MLRA (Midwest Late Model Racing Association), and NCRA (National Championship Racing Association). The 50 lap feature will pay $5,000 to win.

The winner of the soup race will receive a provisional into I-80 Speedway's Silver Dollar Nationals. If that driver qualifies for the SDN through the heat or last chance races of the SDN, (earning a higher starting spot in the SDN), then the highest finisher of the Soup race not qualified for the SDN will receive the provisional from the Soup race and a guaranteed starting spot in the $25,000 to win Silver Dollar Nationals on July 21-23. The Silver Dollar Nationals will be the biggest race in Nebraska Racing History.

Bad weather has caused the cancellation of all schedule CBC races to date, but they will try and get their season started on Tuesday, May 24 at Independence, Iowa. Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa is the defending series champion. "The Shark" Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kansas is the seven-time and defending champion of the MLRA and a former two-time champion of NCRA and he is currently the point leader for both series.

The A Modifieds will also be race at the Soup Race running IMCA type rules with a 30 lap feature paying $2,000 to win. Many of these drivers will be returning in July for the USMTS portion of the Silver Dollar Nationals. Finally, the NASCAR Hornets will also be racing. Pit Gates open at 3pm, Grandstands at 4:30 with racing at 5:55. Grandstand Admission is $20 for Adults, Kids (6-15) $5 and Children 5 and Under Free.
Last month Brad Looney of Republic, Missouri won the Spring Meltdown and became the first driver to be guaranteed a starting spot in the Silver Dollar Nationals. In 2010, Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colorado won the Soup Race and 2009 in one of the most exciting races held at I-80 Speedway saw Omaha's John Anderson picked up the win.

On Friday, July 1 the three series (CBC, MLRA and NCRA) will return to I-80 for the Midwest Trifecta and one last tune up before the Silver Dollar Nationals. That race will also see another driver earn an automatic starting spot in the Silver Dollar Nationals.

For more information; call Ed Kosiski at (402)-659-3301

www.i-80speedway.com
402-342-3453
402-659-3301

Poll discussion

New poll is up. Go vote!

Last poll: Should teams be required to move out of "entry level" classes?

50 votes:

Yes, make it mandatory after a certain number of seasons
  13 (26%)
Yes, but only with an incentive to move up like a motor to the champ
  7 (14%)
Encourage it, but don't make it a rule
  21 (42%)
No. They can race in that class as long as they want
  9 (18%)

Personally, I'm in favor of making it mandatory. But the real world is different and that's a lot to ask. As I've said before, I'd like it if either a driver won a championship or scored a set amount of points or feature wins, they are no longer eligible for points and season ending awards. I wouldn't deny them the opportunity to race if that's all they could afford. But, there should be no multi-time champ in an entry level class.
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Photos from May 7 @ Eagle

Didn't even think to post the link. Plenty of pics from May 7, but I edited down. If you don't see what you're looking for, let me know.

Eagle May 7 2011 Photos
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The Pace Lap May 13, 2011

Passing Points: I am STILL not sold on using passing points to line up features on a weekly show. See to the left. Another early heat race pileup. Six cars in this one. Eagle's sprinters have been holding up their end of the bargain of 25+ cars to maintain the increased payout. Tearing up equipment ain't gonna keep that count for long.

BTAR:* The lineup for I-80's Silver Dollar Nationals is pretty impressive. Steve Francis, Jimmy Mars and Dale McDowell are a pretty darn good place to start.

SCOOOREBOARD! SCOOOREBOARD!: A new Daktronics Galaxy color LED scoreboard has gone up atop the posts that housed the previous shopping mall sign scoreboard that sat at Eagle for nearly two decades. It replaces the Mitsubishi Diamondvision "Jumbotron" TV that was felled last year by a late-summer windstorm. The unit's controllers were already knocked out of commission by a lightning strike earlier. Mother nature just did the physical demolition work.

When it's cold outside, I got the month of May: The 100th running of the Indy 500 takes place this month, and I am not sure I care. That said, I've been reading Motorsport Magazine's and Sports Illustrated's tribute to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, and it made me nostalgic for the Indy 500's I remembered: the pre-Kit Car days of today, back when CART was worth watching and the days when Unsers, Andrettis ruled the podium along the likes of Rick Mears, AJ Foyt, Emerson Fittipaldi (will never forgive him for 1989's crashing out of Al Unser, Jr.), and many others. I never thought that at the age of 40 I would be so nostalgic for racing past - but I can't identify with what goes on in that series today. Once Buddy Lazier (!) had his mug on the Borg-Warner Trophy...frankly, it diminished the race for me. That said, the Indy 500 is still on my bucket list and I may watch this year for the milestone occasion.

Washed out: Racing throughout Eastern Nebraska was rained / colded out for everyone this weekend. It's been a very up and down temperature season so far.

Photos: Just a note: the pictures you see on my site are my own, and I work on my own. The pics aren't sold at the track. If you want one, ya' gots to get it here - but it will be conveniently shipped to you! Also, if you're looking for downloads for hero/autograph cards, shoot me an email. I have them available. 

Not much to say this week. I want to thank everyone for the kind wishes, emails, posts and phone calls regarding my mother's passing. The racing community is a great bunch.

*BTAR=Big Time Automobile Racers

Tough Times

I'll be away from the updates for a little bit, as my mother passed away this week. It's tough, but I'm fortunate to have a loving wife and some great family support. I'll be back soon.

-Jason

I-80 Speedway continues to prepare for the Silver Dollar Nationals

From I-80 Speedway

I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, Nebraska continues to prepare for the inaugural running of the richest race in Nebraska Racing History, the Silver Dollar Nationals (SDN) to be held July 21 through July 23.

The event pays $25,000 to the winner and $1,000 to start the 80 lap main event. Up to 34 cars may start the event which has a unique qualifying format. All Super Late Models will run two qualifying heats. The second heat a driver competes in will be an invert from how he started his first heat (if you start your first heat on the pole, you start the second heat on the tail, etc). However, you may not be competing against the same drivers in the second heat that you competed against in the first heat. There will be no time trials. The heat race purse will be $500 per heat; $250 for first, $150 for second and $100 for third.

26 cars will qualify out of the heat races and last chance races for the Silver Dollar Nationals. In addition, there will be provisionals awarded as follows:

2 for MLRA (Highest drivers in MLRA points not qualified)
2 for SLMR (highest drivers in SLMR points not qualified
1 each from the highest finishers from the April 2 Spring Meltdown, the May 29 Alphabet Soup Race and the July 1 Midwest Trifecta races, that have not qualified for the Silver Dollar Nationals. Brad Looney of Republic, Missouri became the first driver to guarantee a spot in the starting lineup of the Silver Dollar Nationals when he won the Spring Meltdown.

Finally, 1 provisional will be auctioned off with a minimum bid of $1,500. The amount of the bid exceeding the $1,000 start money will be split by the last 20 placed finishers in the feature.

The tire rule will be WRS-55 or UMP Style LM40. (LM40 is the same tire used at Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway for the Dream and the World 100).

For detailed Late Model rules go the MLRA website.

Early Paid entries for the event include the "Kentucky Colonel" Steve Francis of Ashland, Kentucky. Francis was the 2007 World of Outlaw Late Model champion and also has wins in the World 100, the Dirt Track World Championships, Colossal 100, the National 100 and a $70,000 win in 1999 at the Commonwealth Cup at Kentucky Lakes Speedway. Francis scored a 2002 Hav-A-Tampa win at I-80 Speedway.

Jimmy Mars "The Iceman" of Menomonie, Wisconsin had an amazing 2009 season winning the Firecracker 100 and then coming back and becoming the first driver in dirt late model history to win 3 $50,000 to win races in a single season with victories at the USA Nationals at Cedar Lakes, Wisconsin, the North/South 100 at Florence, Kentucky and the Dirt Track World Championship at Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Dale McDowell "Mac Daddy" from Chickamauga, Georgia won the 1999 Hav-A-Tampa Shootout and was also crowned the Hav-A-Tampa National Champion that year. In 2000 he won the Battle of Bristol and the World 100 in 2005. McDowell also won at I-80 in a 2002 Hav-A-Tampa race. McDowell and teammate Jared Landers are driving for NASCAR star Clint Bowyer.

Wendell Wallace "the Batesville Bullet" has a number of crown jewel event wins on his resume including 3 Show Me 100's, a Topless 100, two Masters, and a Hav-A-Tampa Shootout win but without a doubt the biggest was winning the Dirt Track World Championship in 2000.

"The Real Deal" Don O'Neal from Martinsville, Indiana is currently second in Lucas Oil point standings. His biggest win was the Dixie Shootout in 2003, a win worth $55,000. O'Neal has also won the Jackson 100 three times, was crowned the 2004 UMP SummerNationals Champ with 11 series wins that year.

Other pre-entries include; Jared Landers of Batesville, Arkansas, the 2010 winner of the Topless 100 and McDowell's teammate in the Clint Bowyer entries, Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Delaware aboard the legendary Dale Beitler #19, Frankie Heckenast of Orland Park, Illinois, John Lobb of Frewsburg, New York, Jake Meier of Tipton, Iowa, Junior Coover of Norfolk, Nebraska

Other drivers entered that are familiar faces to local racing fans include; Kyle Berck "The Marquette Missile" from Marquette, Nebraska. Berck is one of the winningest drivers in I-80 Speedway history, Terry Phillips of Springfield, Missouri, the winningest driver in MLRA and MARS racing history, Phillips stable mate Jeremy Payne of Tucson, Arizona, Alan Vaughn of Belton, Missouri a 5-time MLRA Champion, Dave Eckrich of Cosgrove, Iowa one of the racing Eckrichs and Delbert "the Ice Man" Smith of Wichita, Kansas.

Reserved Seats for the Silver Dollar Nationals can be purchased by going to www.neracewaypark.com or by calling the I-80 Speedway office at (402)-342-2052. Tickets for adults are $10 on Thursday, July 21, $25 on Friday, July 22 and $30 on Saturday, July 23. By purchasing tickets prior to July 1 you can receive a 3-Day pass for $60. Juniors (Age 6-15) are $5 on July 21, and $10 each on July 22 & 23.

17 backstretch RV parking spots at $300 each are also available overlooking turn two and the backstretch. In addition to a premier 3 day parking stall each purchaser receives 2 pit passes to all three nights of action. Reserved camping spots are also available. If you pre purchase a 3 day grandstand ticket you can also reserve a camping spot free. If you do not pre-purchase your tickets, camping spots will be $25 for the 3 days.

Joining the Super Late Models for the Silver Dollar Nationals will be the cars and stars of the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS). The USMTS will be running complete shows on both Friday, July 22 and Saturday July 23. These races will be a part of the Great Plains Regional Tour and will pay $2,000 to win and $300 to start each night.

The USMTS features the fastest dirt modified racing in the country and are featured on the popular television series "Dirt Knights." Currently the hottest driver on the USMTS circuit has to be Jason Hughes of Westville, Oklahoma, the 2010 USMTS National Champion. Hughes won 2 of the 3 USMTS events ran this past weekend in Oklahoma and already has 7 wins for the season. Other USMTS drivers expected to be in attendance are; Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa a 9 time USMTS National Champion, Iowa, 2010 USMTS Great Plains Regional Champion Ryan "the Reaper" Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, exciting young Johnny Scott of Las Cruces, New Mexico and the rest of the USMTS stars will be set to battle some of the best local modified drivers in the area.

Kicking things off on Thursday, July 21 will be a complete NASCAR Weekly Racing Program featuring NASCAR Late Models, ProAms, B-Mods and Hornets. Also there will be open practices for both Super Late Models and USMTS cars.

For more information call Ed Kosiski at (402)-659-3301. Visit online at www.i-80speedway.com

The Pace Lap - May 6, 2011

Crow as an appetizer: Let's give kudos where due. The Eagle Raceway Sprint Car committee, whose efforts I will admit I took with a mildly skeptic, wait-and-see approach came through big time with a huge point fund addition to the Sprint class. Read about it here. Another example where the racing community itself is stepping up to help the program.

Help those who help themselves: The Katz Farms of Jansen, NE helped out the Beatrice Speedway crew by donating the much-needed services of a road grader. Rain and problems working the track due to lack of equipment postponed the opener. They're set to go tonight.

Expecting the unexpected: Nobody expected 180 cars at Eagle's season opener - or did they? Word is Roger Hadan was prepping for 200. They extended the fenced in area for the pits, and plans are to move the pit shack out closer to the gate. Hopefully they put in another A/C unit! :-) I remember working in that shack before the grandstands on the east side shaded the area. 

In the end, I don't expect that kind of car count to last long. Other tracks begin to run, drivers start worrying about point races. But still - the question remains: How do you get 180 here and in the 60's-70's elsewhere?

Return of the prodigal sons? Billy Alley, Jack Dover and Ryan Roberts skipped their regular Knoxville gigs to run Eagle's Saturday show. How long do they stay? Will the increased purse (contingent on a 25+ car count), draw for lineups and passing points and the point fund keep them around? Time will tell.

What price third place? Here's why I'm not a fan of passing points for a weekly show - the aftermath of a checkered-flag battle for third (and those important passing points). I'll concede that a weekly draw for heat race starting position could bring in the "occasionals" to bolster car count and make a trip to Eagle more appealing for a class that needs to extend its reach a bit farther outside its home. I still am not sold on passing points for heats, but I'll give it some time. It was the first night. 

Nebraska's National Champions: Is Jordan Grabouski is looking to add his name to a list of SE Nebraska drivers chasing the IMCA National Title? Grabouski is pursuing an aggressive race schedule and made trips to Albion and Mayetta, KS (skipping Eagle) and having success in the process.

One finger pointing at me, three point at you: If you have a product/vendor/service that continues to not work, and you continue to blame them for always having problems but don't change what you do it's no longer their fault. It's yours. I'll leave it at that.  

Opening night bugs: 180 cars will tax most tracks. Eagle had its usual share of slowdowns, but if 200 cars were expected, why can't the pit gate open a little earlier? And, running out of food in the pits before the end of the heats - that's something a track 6 years in should've been able to prepare for. There are a lot of new faces working there. Can't fault that. But the level of service expected is high. Hopefully, it's a one-off. 

Not all of it is on the track: why allow anyone to buy an IMCA license at the sign-in window? Make 'em wait or sign in somewhere else. They've had MONTHS to do this.  

And what about 6:30 don't these people understand? I respect Roger for not just pulling the trigger (not to mention the safety issues), but it's not like the races got moved up all of a sudden. They make clocks without hands now. 


Movin' on up! (movin' on up...): Nice to see Hobby Stock ace Kevin Anderson in a SportMod this year (given the cost of some Hobby Stocks, maybe it was more of a lateral move). Same goes with Compact driver Mary Lenz. Those are the two that stand out, let me know if there are more. I like this. 


Turnin' the corner on SportMods? : Let's face it, I used to be very critical of the SportMod division. I still believe that it is a response to the failure of IMCA to control costs. BUT, what I like is that the level of competition and skill is improving, the races are good (and I like the spoilers), PLUS it seems to be the gateway for people moving up to a real...OK, a purpose built race car. If that trend continues, then more power to the class.

Taking the show on the road: I plan on being at Eagle again Saturday night. However, I may...may start on Friday nights at "Mini E" or head down to Beatrice for their weekly shows. Some of this is still up in the air. If you have a take on it, let me know.  

-Jason

Rules of Engagement

The “regular” season has started in earnest around here, with weather delays nixing earlier shows. I took the trip to Eagle on Saturday night.

One. Hundred. Eighty. Cars. Digest that for a second.

This is “Major Special” kind of numbers. For a weekly show. Granted, Beatrice didn’t race the night before, there’s a little pent-up demand, but for crying out loud - what more could a promoter want? A good crowd? Well, despite the cool windy day - there was a good contingent in the stands as well. My guess was around 2500. Not bad for a weekly show.

Yes, there were glitches and to those who say I say nothing but nice about Eagle, I'll have some criticisms in my Pace Lap column.

In the end, 180 cars are the proverbial “nice problem to have.” Some tracks opened to about a third of that number in the pits, and from what I heard third-hand, about the same number in the stands...seriously.

Some people try to put a finger on what Eagle’s doing to manage that kind of car count. You can point at rules, money, attitude, location, day, etc, etc.

You can argue for and against these points, but in the end I think it's none of these.

It’s something greater. Eagle has created something that goes beyond rules and purses. They’ve created a place and an event. They have a following and advocates. They...”get it.”

The track inherited a good reputation and a regular audience base and worked to maintain and grow it. They’re doing an even better job of keeping fans informed, engaged, and waiting for the next thing. They're creative (if sometimes corny) in some of the novelty promotions and encouraging their “tribe” to go forth and spread the word. The weekly competitors and crews not only race, but take pride in the place and want to promote it to their friends. This is 21st century marketing folks. One-to-one relationships.

The carnival-barker days are gone. “Step right up!” gets drowned out in all the other messages and stimulus people receive each day. To reach that customer you have to stand out and fight through it. Complaining that there’s so much “noise” in our lives will get nothing, because we live in a noisy world. It isn’t changing and those who succeed learn not to get louder, but cut through it. They proverbially “grab you by the collar” or better yet, grab you by the hand and lead you in.

Advertising isn’t enough. Engaging is.

If you say I'm full of it, you can. If you think that this has nothing to do with racing, you can.

Please forgive my tone, but you'd be wrong on both counts.

-Jason

Revised SLMR Series Schedule

Friday, April 1 I-80 Speedway
Sunday, May 8 I-80 Speedway
Saturday, May 14 Junction Motor Speedway
Friday, June 10 Park Jefferson Speedway
Saturday, June 11 Adams County Speedway
Sunday, June 19 I-80 Speedway
Saturday, June 25 Junction Motor Speedway
Saturday, July 9 Junction Motor Speedway
Sunday, July 10 Dawson County Speedway
Monday, July 11 Boone County Speedway
Friday, August 5 Eagle Raceway
Sunday, August 7 I-80 Speedway
Saturday, Sept 3 Shelby County Speedway
Sunday, Sept 4 I-80 Speedway
Sunday, Sept 25 I-80 Speedway

Mini E Raceway Practice

Mini "E" Raceway will have Open House Practice on Friday, May 7th. All classes are welcome! Pit Gates will open at 6:30PM, Pit admission is Free (you will still need to sign a waiver and have all minor releases turned in. Practice is from 7:30 to 10:30PM. See all of you there! Questions? Call the office 402-238-2595

Eagle April 30 Photos! And ready for purchase!

Finally, I came through and set up my gallery of pics for online purchase. That's right, you order and the pics are mailed to you - no worrying about meeting up with me at the track, remembering money, and so on.

Check 'em out here: Heartland RaceNews.com Photos by Jason Orth . Note the watermark on the photos won't print on your order! These photos are only available for purchase online, they aren't available at the track.

This week was odd. One thing I haven't done - ever - is shoot 700(!) frames at a racetrack over one night. And I didn't shoot all the features because of the dust! I kind of went all out to try and catch as many people as I could. I threw out the garbage and put everything in focus and exposed online.

Normally, I'd shoot about 2-300 pictures and edit down to the 40 or so best and post that. This year I plan on editing tighter, but wanted to get as many people up on the first night. As we go through the season, I'll have a little more refinement online as I think this is the way it should be done. Keep it in the 100 picture range so it's easier to browse.

Technique wise, I had to learn to shoot a lot looser (not zoom in so close on the car) so a person could crop down to a 8x10 if they wanted. It's kind of tough with the Hobbies because the car is so long and an 8X10 photo is closer to "square" than a 4X6. But, that shouldn't stop you from getting what you want.

Anyway, if you need anything, let me know.

- Jason

I-80 Alphabet Soup Race May 29

From I-80 Speedway:

A Memorial Day weekend staple returns to I-80 Speedway on Sunday, May 29 with the running of the annual Alphabet Soup Race. This year’s soup is a mixture of CBC (Corn Belt Clash), MLRA (Midwest Late Model Racing Association), and NCRA (National Championship Racing Association). The 50 lap feature will pay $5,000 to win.
The winner of the soup race will receive a provisional into I-80 Speedway’s Silver Dollar Nationals. If that driver qualifies for the SDN through the heat or last chance races of the SDN, (earning a higher starting spot in the SDN), then the highest finisher of the Soup race not qualified for the SDN will receive the provisional from the Soup race and a guaranteed starting spot in the $25,000 to win Silver Dollar Nationals on July 21-23. The Silver Dollar Nationals will be the biggest race in Nebraska Racing History.

Last month at the Spring Meltdown, Brad Looney of Republic, Missouri picked up the win and became the first driver guaranteed a spot in the Silver Dollar Nationals. In 2010, Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colorado won the Alphabet Soup race. In the 2009 version of the Soup Race, after a rain delay, John Anderson of Omaha won one of the most exciting races ever held at I-80 after dueling with Chad Simpson and Kyle Berck.
While mother nature has prevented the CBC from holding a race this year, Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa is the defending series champion. An early season point battle is shaping up in the MLRA between 7-time series champion Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kansas, Jesse Stovall of Galena, Missouri and Kyle Berck of Marquette, Nebraska. Purkey is also the current NCRA point leader as a result of his win this past weekend at the Sunflower State Showdown.

The A Modifieds will also be race at the Soup Race running IMCA type rules with a 30 lap feature paying $2,000 to win. Many of these drivers will be returning in July for the USMTS portion of the Silver Dollar Nationals. Finally the mighty Hornets will be racing led by 2010 track champion and NASCAR Division IV National Dirt Champion Jamie Spanel. Pit Gates open at 3pm, Grandstands at 4:30 with racing at 5:55. Grandstand Admission is $20 for Adults, Kids (6-15) $5 and Children 5 and Under Free.

On Friday, July 1 the three series (CBC, MLRA and NCRA) will return to I-80 for the Midwest Trifecta and one last tune up before the Silver Dollar Nationals. That race will also see another driver earn an automatic starting spot in the Silver Dollar Nationals.

For more information contact Ed Kosiski at (402)-659-3301.

SLMR Series Kicks off May 8

From I-80 Speedway:

On Sunday, May 8 the SLMR returns to action at the I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, NE. The series will join the four NASCAR Weekly racing series divisions for a special program for Mothers Day. Racing actions will get underway at 5:55pm. Tickets are $15 for Adults, $5 (Ages 6-15) with children under 5 free.

This will be the second race of the 2011 SLMR season. Lightin’ Leon Zeitner of LaVista won the season opener at the Spring Meltdown on April 1 at I-80 with a last lap pass of Travis Dickes. Following Zeitner and Dickes in SLMR points are Leon’s son Justin, Mike Collins and 2009 series champion Mike Wiarda. Kyle Berck of Marquette is 2010 and defending SLMR champion.

On Saturday, May 14 the series moves to the Junction Motor Speedway near McCool Junction for round 3 of the 2011 SLMR racing season. Racing action starts at 7pm. All SLMR features pay $1,000 to win and $1,050 for second place. Also for the upcoming Silver Dollar Nationals, the two highest drivers in SLMR points that do not qualify for the Silver Dollar Nationals feature through qualifying or last chance races will receive provisionals to start the Silver Dollar Nationals.

The exciting SLMR series, now in its fourth season recently signed the Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, South Dakota for an event on Friday, June 10. Then on Saturday, June 11 the series moves to the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa.
For more information call Ed Kosiski at (402)-659-3301.

Eagle Sprint Car Committee Announces Point Fund Bonus, Rules Changes

Via Greg Soukup:

The Eagle Sprint Car Committee has received and reviewed numerous ideas and suggestions in regards to what could be done to make the sprint car show more exciting for our fans, while attracting better car counts. We appreciate everyone's input.

The following rule change will be in effect for the 2011 season:
Wings: Eagle Raceway will adhere to all ASCS wing rules, including the top and front wings.

Additional changes:

Lineups: Eagle Raceway will implement a pill draw for the heat starting lineups. Each pill draw will cost $10 which will become part of the season end point fund. The top 8 drivers with the most points accumulated in the heat races will redraw for the starting position in the A Main Feature. Starting positions 9-24 will be determined by points accumulated in heat races. Draws will settle all ties.

Point Fund: The Eagle Sprint Committee is excited to announce we have secured additional sponsorship for the 2011 sprint car point fund. Our sponsors include: Budweiser (Primary Sponsor), Carpetland (associate Sponsor), personal contributions from Ken Klabunde and Dennis Parker, in addition to the funds attributed to the pill draw. We anticipate the 2011 point fund will be nearly 300% of the 2010 point fund and will pay back to the top 15 in points.

Additionally, the Rookie of the year will receive a contingency prize as well as a monetary prize. More info is forthcoming in regards to the point fund.

Purse: The 2011 sprint car purse has been increased contingent on a sustained car count of 25 cars. If the car count requirement is not met, the purse will revert to the 2010 purse amount.

Eagle Needs Driver Volunteers

Attention Drivers,

On Saturday, April 30th, 2011 we are having Media Night at Eagle Raceway. We will have media members and select sponsors in attendance for a night of VIP treatment and racing excitement! We would love to turn the media members into huge race fans so they keep coming back and would enjoy doing articles, radio interviews, and news stories on you, the drivers. We also want to give the sponsors a different perspective from the drivers' views. We are looking for a handful of drivers to volunteer to do an interview and photo session with the media members before the races between 5:15 and 6:00. We also need a handful of drivers to volunteer to participate in the intermission activity with the media, sponsors and fans. Would any of you be interested in volunteering?

I will be giving these media members and sponsors a tour of the pits before the races as well. Please let me know if you would like us to stop by your pit area for a short visit and viewing of your race car.

I will be doing similar pit interviews and tours once a month so ALL sponsors have a chance to come down and meet all of you as you prepare yourselves for the nights' races.

Please contact me if you are interested in this volunteer opportunity. You may reach me by email: Marsha@EagleRaceway.com.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Warmest regards,
Marsha Meadows
Marketing Team, Eagle Raceway

JMS Season Opener April 30

For the opening night of the 2011 Race season at JMS

Front Gates open at 5:00 PM
Hot Laps at 6:00 PM
Races Start at 7:00 PM

Admission $8.00 for adults, 4 for students ages 6-12, 5 and under are free

Pit Gate Opens at 4:00 PM

Pit passes will held be at the log cabin and Registration / pill draw will be in the garage by the Pit Concession Building. All drivers racing in NASCAR Classes need to sign the NASCAR waiver at the log cabin, and also show their NASCAR license/ temp license at the Registration building. All 4 NASCAR Classes' Drivers are required to have a NASCAR license purchased the day they begin racing for insurance purposes. Licenses can be purchased while registering and drawing.

NASCAR Driver Pit Pass : $20.00
Non- NASCAR Driver Pit Pass: $25.00
NASCAR Crew Members: $20.00
Non - NASCAR Crew/ Minor/ Spectators: $25.00

Boone County Added Purse this Weekend

From Boone County Raceway:

"There will be added purse in each class this friday night."

- - - -

Could be $1, could be $10,000. Don't know, but each class will get more!

If that was too much information, you can read it for yourself here:

http://dirtdrivers.com/messageboard/messagedetail.asp?trackid=7&mid=262530&pmid=262530

People wonder why we dive further into being a niche activity. Try to at least provide the basics.

You Get What You Pay For

As is the case for many of my editorials, I was reading a thread on Dirtdrivers.com. It started about an inquiry for photos from an event and as is the case for many threads on that site, went down another path.

In general, some fans voiced displeasure about updates and information on the track’s website, and general communication to the racers and fans.

Two of the track’s volunteers spoke up and took issue with the complaints directly with the people on the board.

Volunteering for a track is a labor of love - emphasis on the word “labor.”

Fire and rescue and tow crews earn free admission and a meal if anything. But if you break that down by hour - it borders on minimum wage at best and you can’t take a free hotdog to the bank. Push truck drivers get partial compensation, but it doesn't cover the expense long term. Event organizers for promos like Kid's Nights don't get a dime.

And there are many I’ve missed. These people give because they love the sport. Whether it’s the show itself, the chance to hang out with friends on the weekend or whatever reason they have, they do it because they want to - not for the money.

There’s a limit though. In many cases, you’re getting part time labor. You’re getting labor that has passion - but many times that passion is down the list behind family, their “day jobs,” their other hobbies and interests, the lawn that needs mowed....

For a time I volunteered for Civil Defense (now “Emergency Management”). We had a LOT of volunteers at the time.

I asked the head of the agency, a wise ex-police officer why we had so many on staff. He said that most volunteers burn out after three years, and the ones with the most passion - maybe seven. For the record, I lasted five.

It’s not like they don’t believe in the cause any longer - or that they don’t want to be there, but that fire is just a flicker now, or their outside life has changed to where they can’t commit the time, or many other reasons.

He also pointed out the obvious: you can’t schedule them for eight hours, like a police shift, or any other shift at work. Some had to be home early, others were uncomfortable being away from their family during emergencies, but wanted to help in other ways. Each could contribute, but only so much. It was ridiculous to expect them to commit in the same way they would their jobs.

And he pointed out another obvious fact: the level of service demanded by the public was high. Being late on the warning siren and blaming it on free labor was unacceptable. If it needed to be accomplished by two or three people, then that is why the volunteer force had to be so big.

Racetracks are a full-time business. It goes beyond just race night. There’s food to be ordered, bills to pay, facilities to clean, cash to count, results and points to be posted, driver and owner’s calls to take and on and on. It’s a hell of a lot of work.

During my tenure at Eagle, I was one of three full-time employees. It was my bread on the table day job, all year. We also had seasonal full-time help as well. During race season, as many as 5-6 people would work 40+ hours per week. During the off-season, it still kept two of us busy. One of my busiest times was prepping for the annual banquet - in December. It was a BIG expense. And let's face it...probably too big.

It’s ignorant to expect one volunteer to accomplish the work of a full time employee. It’s silly to for internet jockeys to make it personal. Instead of constantly criticizing, help out. Maybe pick up a trash bag after the show (or throwing your stuff away the first time). Maybe send a few bucks to the charity or promotional drive. Offer to type up the results. Do something. Even a little helps.

But to the tracks: it’s also silly for a racetrack to make their “tribe” (the fans, the drivers and all others who support your business) wait and to leave them hanging.

We live in a world where business relations are a 1-to-1 affair. Gone is the “voice on high” approach, commanding your customer to buy your product, and certainly gone is the “you’ll get it when you get it” mentality.

That doesn't mean you can't manage expectations. Nobody should ask that the race director take your call at 3AM because you happened to be up. Nor should the hotdog be ready six hours before the show. But once you ask for that grace period, you need to have it ready at the bell. Each time.

Belittling people for lack of patience isn’t the answer. Delivering is. It’s another expense, be it of money or time, but it is a new “fixed cost” in the racing world - as if it needs more.

Hats off to the volunteers. Because this sport needs as many as it can get.
-

Eagle Raceway Season Opener April 30

Eagle Raceway Season Opener - Featuring Budweiser Sprints, RevHoney IMCA Modifieds, NAPA IMCA Sport Modifieds, Valentino's IMCA Hobby Stocks and Exhaust Pros Sport Compacts.

KX96.9 and The Eagle will be on site along with other Media! -Play "PLINKO" from 5:30-7pm to win Free "Fast (& Furious) Five" movie tickets and all types of movie gear.

Media Contest "Dress Your Driver" during intermission.

Happy D Klown from 5:30-7:30pm.

RevHoney "Stinger Hour" from 6-7pm in Courtyard area...try a RevHoney Energy Drink to get the night rolling! Adults...try the RevHoney "Stinger Shot" bee-fore the races start for a honey of a deal!

Front Gates open at 5:30pm, Hot Laps at 5:30pm and Racing at 6:30pm. Front Gate Admission: Adults(13+) $10, Youth(6-12) $5 and Child(5 & under) Free.

Pit Gates open at 4pm. Pit Pass $20. All drivers must have all their forms in as soon as possible. Late registration fee = $25. See Driver Info Tab of our website for all forms needed.

ALL minors(14-17) in the pit area MUST have a minor waiver signed by their parents in front of a notary along with a copy of their birth certificate or valid driver's license. Minor=anyone under 18 years of age. All minors must be supervised by an adult. If minor is not supervised, they will be asked to leave the pit area.

No outside food or beverage is allowed into the front gate entrance. Thank you for your cooperation.
Thanks for supporting Eagle Raceway...America's Home Track!

Beatrice 4/22 Canceled

From Beatrice Speedway:

The opening day races schedule for Friday April 22, 2011 have been cancelled due to wet conditions and the forecast of rain, high winds, and chilly temperatures.

Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame announces seven new members

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame will be inducting seven new members on October 21, 2011, at the Fireman's Hall in Lincoln, Neb.

This is the 14th class for the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame which was created in 1998 to honor Nebraskans, both native and adopted, for their contributions to the sport of auto racing.

The seven newest associates for the hall of fame are:

Fred Anderson, Omaha
Anderson started his drag racing career in 1952, and set many national records. He has 12 U.S. Nationals class wins and raced in 53 straight U.S. Nationals, beginning with the inaugural event in 1955 at Great Bend, Kan.

Keith Chambers, Beatrice
Chambers was a staff photographer for the Omaha Word-Herald from 1946-50, covering all forms of auto racing, especially the exciting midgets. He drove and promoted stock cars in the early 1950s. Chambers handled publicity for Omaha Dragway from 1962-65 and was listed as the number one reporter for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) during that time.

Don Droud Sr., Lincoln
Droud has been a driver, owner, promoter, coach and sage during his 54-year career in motorsports. He's raced motorcycles, supermodifieds, sprint cars, late models, trucks and dwarf cars during that time, winning several track championships along the way. His two sons, Don Jr. and Rodney, have also had very successful careers in auto racing.

The Kelley Family, Omaha
The Kelleys promoted Sunset Speedway from 1976 through 2000. They were a four-time nominee for national Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Award and Sunset Speedway was one of the first tracks to join the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series. Sunset Speedway led the way in the use of radios for officials; they set time limits for races; among the first tracks to have a website; corporate VIP boxes; a live pre-race radio show; engine compression rules along and many other innovations.

Eddie Kracek, Omaha
Kracek started his racing career in 1928 in stock cars and in 1935 he had become a star on the fledgling midget circuits of the Omaha area. By 1937, he was racing on the national stage against some of the top midgeteers in the country. Kracek was one of the first "outsiders" to win at Olympic Stadium in Kansas City, and competed very successfully for several years. Shortly before the U.S. put a stop to racing in 1942 because of World War II, Kracek was badly injured in a race at Olympic. He passed away two weeks later on Aug. 4, 1942.

Wayne Mason, Omaha
Mason was a championship car owner and mechanic for many years with drivers such as Bud Burdick, Ed Morris, Bob Kosiski and Steve Kosiski. Mason's cars have scored 17 track championships, seven NASCAR Busch All-Star Tour titles; two Topless Outlaw Racing Association (TORA) championships and has had feature wins in NASCAR, MLRA, NCRA and the IMCA.

Jim Wyman, Fremont
Wyman started racing in 1954, and was a four-time champ at Sunset Speedway, winning 58 feature races there. He was three-time titlist at the Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa, and a two-time champ at the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa.

The purpose of the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame is to perpetuate the memory of these individuals who have brought lasting fame to the state of Nebraska through their efforts in auto racing. Nominees to the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame must have been a resident of the state for at least two years and must be retired for at least four years from the discipline for which they are being honored. Active participants in the sport will be considered if they are at least 55 years of age and have been with the sport for at least 30 years. All candidates must have made positive contributions to the sport of auto racing on a local and regional level and go on to some national prominence.

Anyone wishing to nominate a person to the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame can do so by submitting the person's name, with a list of their accomplishments in a short bio to:

Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame
5527 S. 20th St.
Lincoln, NE 68512

You can also call 402-421-2266 or e-mail your nomination to Joe Orth at: jorth@narhof.com.

The Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame is located inside the Museum of American Speed at 340 Victory Lane on the Speedway Motors complex in Lincoln, Neb. The Museum of American Speed hours: May through September, two-hour guided tours begin at 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. October through April, two-hour guided tours begin at 2 p.m. every Friday. Admission is $10 to tour the museum.

For more information about the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame, please visit www.narhof.com.

Nasty!

Joe Orth sent me this photo of John Klabunde's crash into the pits at I-80 on April 9. I have the sequence but "embargoed" it at Joe's request via some publishers (generally magazines and such don't want pics printed that have already been published/transmitted elsewhere).

But, since this was in Lee Ackerman's Omaha World Herald piece on John, I'd share it here too.

John Klabunde takes a tumble in the I-80 pits on April 9, 2011. Fortunately, he suffered only some bumps and bruises. And yes, that person is as close as you think they are. Click for a larger pic.

ASCS Midwest Nixed at Eagle's Ice Breaker

TULSA, Okla. (April 13, 2011) - Forecasted rain and bitterly cold temperatures has forced the cancellation of this weekend's Ice Breaker Challenge at Eagle, Nebraska's Eagle Raceway featuring the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region. The event will not be rescheduled.

With this weekend's two-night stand nixed by inclement weather, the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region next action will take place on Thursday night, May 26, at Greenwood's I-80 Speedway before moving on to McCool Junction's Junction Motor Speedway the following night, Friday May 27.

The May 26 card at I-80 Speedway will feature a $2,000 winner's share, while the May 27 event at Junction Motor Speedway will offer up $3,000 to win provided the winner competed in the previous night's event at I-80 Speedway.

For more information, check www.ascsracing.com

Eagle Icebreaker Canceled

Via Rainedout.net

Due to the weather forecast the Icebreaker Challenge scheduled for this weekend has been canceled.

Practice night is scheduled for April 29, with the regular season starting April 30.

-

Eagle To Make Early Call on Icebreaker

From Eagle Raceway:

Attn: Race Fans and Drivers-
As we all know the weather in Nebraska can be a little crazy. Of course mother nature has blessed us with a fantastic week so far, however the weathermen are predicting
her to turn on us for our Practice Night (Thursday, April 14th) and our special
event “The Ice Breaker Challenge” for this upcoming weekend (Friday, April 15th
and Saturday, April 16th.)

We know that there are many of you that are planning on coming from great distances to race against the best, and experience some of the best entertainment that can happen on dirt. Because of these factors, we are doing some thinking and a lot of hoping for the weather forecast to change, as we know that weathermen can change their minds. We will make a decision by tomorrow evening (Wednesday, April 13th) on whether we will be racing this weekend or not. Please stay updated and visit www.eagleraceway.com and www.dirtdrivers.com for cancellation updates.

Rodney Droud to return to action

Two-time Eagle Raceway Sprint Car champ Rodney Droud will return to driving soon, he announced on his Facebook page. Details are forthcoming, including his schedule. It'll be nice seeing a familiar face back in the sprint car scene, when it needs all it can get.

 Update: I got a message from Rodney saying that he wasn't driving a sprint car this season, but will be in Dwarf Car action. 

Bummer. 

I'll admit, he didn't say WHAT he was driving, but I assumed, and you know what they say about the word assume... :-)


-

Brian Brown Bags ASCS Midwest Loot at I-80

Lonnie Wheatley, GREENWOOD, Neb. (April 9, 2011) - Brian Brown emerged from an early duel with Don Droud, Jr., to take the $3,000 winner's share in Saturday night's 25-lap Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest main event at I-80 Speedway.

After swapping the point several times in the early going, Brown took command for keeps on the eleventh circuit aboard the FVP No. 21 Maxim and went on to a series' best 18th career Midwest win and 24th overall ASCS triumph.

While Droud gunned into the lead from the pole position for the second night in a row, fourth-starter Brown put on the pressure immediately and raced into the lead exiting turn four on the seventh circuit only to have Droud slide back in front a half lap later.

Brown battled back in front in turn four on the eleventh round and made it stick, leading the rest of the way for eighth I-80 Speedway in ASCS Midwest action.

Fifth after 15 laps, Wayne Johnson surged over the final circuits into second and was poised to challenge for the victory when a final caution flew with two to go, only to struggle with a cut left rear tire on the restart.

Johnson held on for runner-up honors, with 11th-starter Jack Dover, Droud and Friday night winner Seth Bergman rounding out the top five. Ryan Anderson was sixth, with Terry McCarl, Billy Alley, Gregg Bakker and Tony Bruce, Jr., completing the top ten.

Anderson, Brown, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., and Johnson topped heat race action for Saturday night's 39-car field, with Russ Hall and Bruce, Jr., winning the "B" Mains.

Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Results from I-80 Speedway:

First Heat (10 Laps): 1. 71r-Ryan Anderson, 2. 2-Don Droud, Jr., 3. 11x-Gregg Bakker, 4. 31-Mark Pace, 5. 18r-Ryan Roberts, 6. 21x-Ryan Kitchen, 7. 14-Jody Rosenboom, 8. 71-Tige Jensen, 9. 77-John Klabunde. DNS: 32-Toby Chapman.

Second Heat (10 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown, 2. 53-Jack Dover, 3. 45c-Russ Hall, 4. 1w-Chad Meyer, 5. 2L-Logan Forler, 6. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 7. 82-Jason Danley, 8. 21c-Justyn Cox, 9. 47-Brandt O'banion, 10. 3j-Jeremiah Jordahl.

Third Heat (10 Laps): 1. 15h-Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 2. 4j-Lee Grosz, 3. 28-Mitch Runge, 4. 12-Tyler Drueke, 5. 17-Gage Dorr, 6. 10d-Danielle Ossenfort, 7. 4-Jordan Boston, 8. 45x-C.J. Johnson, 9. 99j-Jake Ossenfort, 10. 7k-Robby Wolfgang.

Fourth Heat (10 Laps): 1. 38-Wayne Johnson, 2. 24a-Terry McCarl, 3. 23-Seth Bergman, 4. 22-Billy Alley, 5. 51-Mike Hess, 6. 44-Doug Lovegrove, 7. 6g-Bryan Gossel, 8. 0-Jeff Osborn, 9. 17b-Ryan Bickett.

First "B" Main (12 Laps): 1. 45c-Russ Hall, 2. 31-Mark Pace, 3. 2L-Logan Forler, 4. 99j-Jake Ossenfort, 5. 21c-Justyn Cox, 6. 14-Jody Rosenboom, 7. 44-Doug Lovegrove, 8. 0-Jeff Osborn, 9. 10d-Danielle Ossenfort, 10. 32-Toby Chapman. DNS: 71-Tige Jensen, 4-Jordan Boston, 77-John Klabunde.

Second "B" Main (12 Laps): 1. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 2. 51-Mike Hess, 3. 47-Brandt O'banion, 4. 21x-Ryan Kitchen, 5. 82-Jason Danley, 6. 17b-Ryan Bickett, 7. 6g-Bryan Gossel, 8. 7k-Robby Wolfgang, 9. 12-Tyler Drueke, 10. 3j-Jeremiah Jordahl, 11. 17-Gage Dorr. DNS: 45x-C.J. Johnson.

"A" Feature (25 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown, 2. 38-Wayne Johnson, 3. 53-Jack Dover, 4. 2-Don Droud, Jr., 5. 23-Seth Bergman, 6. 71r-Ryan Anderson, 7. 24a-Terry McCarl, 8. 22-Billy Alley, 9. 11x-Gregg Bakker, 10. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 11. 15h-Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 12. 21c-Justyn Cox, 13. 51-Mike Hess, 14. 18r-Ryan Roberts, 15. 2L-Logan Forler, 16. 4j-Lee Grosz, 17. 31-Mark Pace, 18. 1w-Chad Meyer, 19. 82-Jason Danley, 20. 99j-Jake Ossenfort, 21. 47-Brandt O'banion, 22. 21x-Ryan Kitchen, 23. 28-Mitch Runge, 24. 45c-Russ Hall.

Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Brian Brown 292, 2. Seth Bergman 275, 3. Wayne Johnson 272, 4. Don Droud, Jr. 265, 5. Jack Dover 260, 6. Tony Bruce, Jr. 229, 7. Gregg Bakker 226, 8. Ryan Anderson 224, 9. Lee Grosz 220, 10. Logan Forler 208.

Bergman Best in Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Opener at I-80

Lonnie Wheatley, GREENWOOD, Neb. (April 8, 2011) – Snohomish, Washington’s Seth Bergman captured his second career American Sprint Car Series Regional feature win by charging to victory lane in Friday night’s season-opening 25-lap Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region main event at I-80 Speedway.

Bergman, who picked up his first win during the initial weekend of Northwest action under the ASCS banner in 2008, battled into the lead on the second round and, after some early pressure in traffic from Brian Brown, checked out in the latter stages to take the $3,000 victory with a comfortable straightaway margin.

“I knew Brian would be on me on that restart, so I drove it even harder after that,” the 23-year-old Lucas Oil ASCS National title contender explained. “I didn’t know if he was close or not.”

Finding the 4/10-mile dirt oval that was made heavy by rain the previous day to his liking, Bergman rallied from seventh to second in his heat to earn a spot in the redraw, where he drew the front row outside starting position for the feature.

While pole starter Don Droud, Jr., paced the initial circuit, Bergman blasted into the lead in turns one and two the next time around and held the point the rest of the way aboard the Petersen Motorsports Wesmar-powered Superior Marine No. 23 Eagle, lapping all the way up to ninth in the process.

It wasn’t without at least a challenge or two along the way, as fifth-starter Brown worked past Droud for second by the time Bergman reached traffic on the eighth circuit. Brown moved in on Bergman’s tailtank to challenge, with Bergman splitting a pair of lapped cars to maintain the lead moments before the caution flew on the tenth round for Ryan Roberts, who slowed to a halt in turn two.

“When we got in dirty air, the car got pretty tight if I got right behind someone,” Bergman explained. “In open track, the car was great.”

With a pair of lapped cars between himself and Brown, Bergman checked out and raced on to a straightaway advantage as Brown struggled to get past the lapped machine of Ryan Anderson until a final caution flew after 13 laps for Justyn Cox, who stopped in turn two with steering woes.

Brown disposed of the lapped car on the restart but was no match for the fleet Bergman, who again opened up a healthy lead that wasn’t even diminished as he sliced through traffic over the final handful of circuits.

Bergman took the checkered flag well ahead of Brown, with Droud settling for the show position. Wayne Johnson slipped around Jack Dover for fourth on the 24th lap, with Dover rounding out the top five.

Lee Grosz was sixth, with Tony Bruce, Jr., Russ Hall, Gregg Bakker and Chad Meyer completing the top ten.

Jason Danley, Hall, Bryan Gossel, Droud and Brown topped heat race action for the 45-car field, with Bakker and Cox winning the 12-lap “B” Mains. Chad Humston blew an engine in heat race action and was done for the night, while Trevor Grossenbacher was victimized by a turn three rut and flipped in the first “B” Main without injury.

(Joe Orth photos)

Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Results from I-80 Speedway:

First Heat (10 Laps): 1. 82-Jason Danley, 2. 18r-Ryan Roberts, 3. 53-Jack Dover, 4. 31-Mark Pace, 5. 45x-C.J. Johnson, 6. 32-Toby Chapman, 7. 99j-Jake Ossenfort, 8. 20k-Thomas Kennedy, 9. 17b-Ryan Bickett.

Second Heat (10 Laps): 1. 45c-Russ Hall, 2. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 3. 33-Danny Lasoski, 4. 21c-Justyn Cox, 5. 1w-Chad Meyer, 6. 4-Jordan Boston, 7. 14-Jody Rosenboom, 8. 12-Tyler Drueke, 9. 77-John Klabunde.

Third Heat (10 Laps): 1. 6g-Bryan Gossel, 2. 23-Seth Bergman, 3. 9-Jared Georges, 4. 15h-Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 5. 71r-Ryan Anderson, 6. 7k-Robby Wolfgang, 7. 10d-Danielle Ossenfort, 8. 17-Gage Dorr, 9. 1m-Chad Humston.

Fourth Heat (10 Laps): 1. 2-Don Droud, Jr., 2. 38-Wayne Johnson, 3. 35-Trevor Grossenbacher, 4. 4j-Lee Grosz, 5. 24a-Terry McCarl, 6. 51-Mike Hess, 7. 44-Doug Lovegrove, 8. 21x-Ryan Kitchen, 9. 71-Tige Jensen.

Fifth Heat (10 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown, 2. 2L-Logan Forler, 3. 11x-Gregg Bakker, 4. 21k-Lou Kennedy, Jr., 5. 3j-Jeremiah Jordahl, 6. 7-Lance Fassbender, 7. 0-Jeff Osborn, 8. 28-Mitch Runge, 9. 22-Billy Alley.

First “B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 11x-Gregg Bakker, 2. 71r-Ryan Anderson, 3. 99j-Jake Ossenfort, 4. 45x-C.J. Johnson, 5. 31-Mark Pace, 6. 77-John Klabunde, 7. 7-Lance Fassbender, 8. 3j-Jeremiah Jordahl, 9. 21x-Ryan Kitchen, 10. 44-Doug Lovegrove, 11. 28-Mitch Runge, 12. 17-Gage Dorr, 13. 0-Jeff Osborn, 14. 35-Trevor Grossenbacher, 15. 51-Mike Hess. DNS: 1m-Chad Humston.

Second “B” Main (12 Laps): 1. 21c-Justyn Cox, 2. 2L-Logan Forler, 3. 4-Jordan Boston, 4. 24a-Terry McCarl, 5. 1w-Chad Meyer, 6. 14-Jody Rosenboom, 7. 22-Billy Alley, 8. 7k-Robby Wolfgang, 9. 17b-Ryan Bickett, 10. 32-Toby Chapman, 11. 10d-Danielle Ossenfort, 12. 12-Tyler Drueke, 13. 9-Jared Georges, 14. 20k-Thomas Kennedy. DNS: 71-Tige Jensen.

"A" Feature (25 Laps): 1. 23-Seth Bergman, 2. 21-Brian Brown, 3. 2-Don Droud, Jr., 4. 38-Wayne Johnson, 5. 53-Jack Dover, 6. 4j-Lee Grosz, 7. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 8. 45c-Russ Hall, 9. 11x-Gregg Bakker, 10. 1w-Chad Meyer, 11. 2L-Logan Forler, 12. 82-Jason Danley, 13. 99j-Jake Ossenfort, 14. 71r-Ryan Anderson, 15. 4-Jordan Boston, 16. 31-Mark Pace, 17. 45x-C.J. Johnson, 18. 33-Danny Lasoski, 19. 15h-Sam Hafertepe, Jr., 20. 6g-Bryan Gossel, 21. 21c-Justyn Cox, 22. 18r-Ryan Roberts, 23. 24a-Terry McCarl, 24. 21k-Lou Kennedy, Jr.

Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Seth Bergman 150, 2. Brian Brown 142, 3. Don Droud, Jr. 135, 4. Wayne Johnson 130, 5. Jack Dover 125, 6. Lee Grosz 122, 7. Tony Bruce, Jr. 119, 8. Russ Hall 116, 9. Gregg Bakker 113, 10. Chad Meyer 110.

Rex Jordan, Jr. passes

Via Gary Dominguez:

It's with a heavy heart that I must report we have lost another member of our racing Family. Rex Jordan Jr. passed away yesterday after a valiant battle with Cancer. Rex was an accomplished driver in several classes, and has the distinction of winning Speedway Motors Founder Bill Smith's first trophy.

Rex raced alongside drivers such as Tiny Lund, and for owners including Sam Holliman and DD Durham.

He founded and worked for Jordan Machine for many years after his racing career. Rex was the father of 2 sons: Rex III, and sprint car driver Jay.

Speedway Motors Inked as ASCS Midwest & Warrior Title Sponsor

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (April 6, 2011) - Noted as 'America's Oldest Speed Shop', Speedway Motors has joined forces with the American Sprint Car Series as title sponsor of both the ASCS Midwest and ASCS Warrior Regions.

"We're pleased to be partnered with Speedway Motors on a pair of our Regions," commented ASCS president and founder Emmett Hahn. "So highly respected in the industry, Speedway is just a natural fit with the Midwest and Warrior Regions."

Speedway Motors was founded in 1952 by "Speedy" Bill Smith, growing from a one-man operation to become the world's largest manufacturer, distributor and retailer of street rod and racing products.

Speedway's size offers customers unmatched product selection and low pricing, while its technical support and customer service have made it a recognized leader in the rodding and racing industries.

Both Speedway Motors ASCS Regional tours kick off their respective seasons this weekend, with the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region taking to Greenwood, Nebraska's I-80 Speedway for a pair of $3,000 to win events on Friday and Saturday and the ASCS Warrior Region at La Monte, Missouri's LA Raceway on Saturday night.

The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region is slated for 20 nights of competition at a half dozen tracks throughout Nebraska and the surrounding areas of Missouri, South Dakota and Iowa.

The Speedway Motors ASCS Warrior Region is currently set for 15 nights of action at nine different tracks throughout Missouri and into neighboring portions of Illinois and Kansas.

The Midwest and Warrior Regions will cross paths on three occasions this season, with each showdown at Cameron, Missouri's U.S. 36 Raceway.

Additional information regarding Speedway Motors is available at www.speedwaymotors.com.

The 2011 season marks the 20th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, with approximately 200 nights of competition at tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

Full Weekend of Action at I-80

The ASCS Midwest Region Sprint Cars kick off their 2011 season this weekend at I-80 Speedway. On Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 the ASCS Midwest Region Sprint Cars will be running complete shows on both nights paying $3,000 to win and $300 to start. Features both nights will be 25 laps.

Eric Lutz of Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the defending ASCS Midwest Region Champion. Lutz is expected to be joined by some of the best 360 drivers in the country including Brian Brown, Tony Bruce, Jr., Jack Dover and Billy Alley plus a host of others. On Friday, Pits open at 4pm, Grandstands at 5:30 with racing action beginning at 7. Admission for Friday is $15 for Adults, $5 Ages (6-15), 5 and under is free.

Saturday night the Pits open at 3pm, Grandstands at 4:30 and racing action starts at 5:55pm. Admission for Adults is $20, $5 Ages (6-15) and children 5 and under free. Pit Passes each night are $30.

Also featured Friday night will be Qualifying events for Grand Nationals/Crate Late Models, B Mods, ProAm/Stock Cars and Hornets (no sanctions and no points). Saturday night is another complete show for the ASCS Midwest Sprints, in addition there will be last chance races and feature races for Grand Nationals/Crate Late Models with the feature paying $1,500 to win, B Mods paying $1,200 to win ProAm/Stock Cars paying $1,000 to win and Hornets paying $500 to win.

For more information call Ed Kosiski at (402)-659-3301

ASCS Midwest Kicks Off with I-80 Double

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (April 4, 2011) - The American Sprint Car Series Midwest Region kicks off a strong slate of 2011 events with a two-night stand atop the 4/10-mile, semi-banked I-80 Speedway dirt oval in Greenwood, NE, this Friday and Saturday.

With I-80 Speedway hosting the scheduled series season opener for the seventh time in as many years of ASCS Midwest Region competition, a full card of heats and feature events that culminate with a $3,000 to win main event is on tap for both nights.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota's Eric Lutz enters the weekend as the reigning ASCS Midwest champion after taking the 2010 title by a healthy margin over Springfield, Nebraska's Jack Dover, who missed several events along the way while chasing the National circuit.

A series feature winner at South Dakota's I-90 Speedway last year, Lutz finished among the top ten in four of six ASCS Midwest events last year at I-80 Speedway including a pair of fourth-place runs.

Oklahoma's Dustin Morgan claimed his first career ASCS feature win by topping the first night of last year's Midwest opener at I-80 Speedway, with Dover acing the second night for the first of two Midwest wins on the year.

Morgan and Dover were two of five drivers to enjoy I-80 Speedway victory lane in 2010 along with Shane Stewart, Brian Brown and Billy Alley. Brown was the only one able to repeat with victories on Fourth of July weekend and Labor Day weekend, extending his total of ASCS Midwest wins at I-80 Speedway to seven.

While Missouri's Brown has collected the most I-80 wins, Billy Alley and Dover are the only other drivers to pick off multiple wins. Lincoln's Alley has topped three series events at I-80, including last September's season finale, with Dover taking two.

With $3,000 to win up for grabs on both nights, a healthy field of cars is expected for the weekend's racing action.

Friday's action at I-80 Speedway fires off at 7:00 p.m., with Saturday's green flag flying at 6:00 p.m.

Nebraska Raceway Park's I-80 Speedway is located in Greenwood, NE, between Lincoln and Omaha off I-80 Exit 420, then 0.4 mile north on SR 63 then west. For more information, contact the track at 402-659-3301 or 402-342-3453.

The ASCS Midwest Region is slated for 20 nights of competition at a half dozen tracks throughout Nebraska and the surrounding areas of Missouri, South Dakota and Iowa.

Past ASCS Midwest Regional Winners at I-80 Speedway:
9/24/10 - Billy Alley
9/3/10 - Brian Brown
7/2/10 - Brian Brown
5/27/10 - Shane Stewart
4/17/10 - Jack Dover
4/16/10 - Dustin Morgan
7/2/09 - Brian Brown
5/21/09 - Chad Humston
4/11/09 - Jonathan Cornell
4/10/09 - Billy Alley
8/14/07 - Jack Dover
4/15/07 - Chuck Swenson (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
4/14/07 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
8/15/06 - Billy Alley
7/3/06 - Jake Peters (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
4/8/06 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
8/3/05 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. National)
7/8/05 - Brian Brown
4/15/05 - Terry McCarl

The 2011 season marks the 20th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, with approximately 200 nights of competition at tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com. 

ASCS To Sanction Jackson Nationals

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (March 31, 2011) - Yet another marquee event has been added to the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters National slate, as the series will invade Minnesota for the 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals on August 19-20.

It will mark the first time for the Lucas Oil ASCS National series to sanction the history-rich event atop the high-banked, ½-mile Jackson Speedway clay oval in Jackson, MN.

With the addition of the Jackson Nationals to the slate, the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters National series is now slated for 38 nights of competition at 15 different tracks throughout a dozen states.

The August venture to Jackson Speedway will be just the second time in Minnesota for the ASCS National forces, with Wayne Johnson winning the only previous feature event in the state at Brainerd in 2007. Paired with car owner Bryan Sundby for the balance of the Lucas Oil ASCS National slate, Johnson was a Jackson Nationals winner in 2005.

The Lucas Oil Sprint Cars have opened the 2011 season in rousing fashion with six different winners in as many events, including Kyle Larson, Tim Kaeding, Johnny Herrera, Shane Stewart, Jason Johnson and Sam Hafertepe, Jr. This comes off a 2010 season that featured 19 different winners in 35 main events, the most single-season feature winners in modern ASCS history.

With $60,000 of the $250,000 points fund earmarked for the top spot, Bixby, OK, native Shane Stewart is out to the early driver points lead with a 57-point advantage over New Mexico's Johnny Herrera while the JJR No. 41 holds the owner points edge over Paul Silva's No. 57 by 37 markers.

With last weekend's 38th Annual Devil's Bow Spring Nationals in the books, next up for the Lucas Oil Sprint Cars is a two-night stand atop Little Rock, Arkansas' high-banked, ¼-mile I-30 Speedway red clay oval on April 15-16.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

"Eagle 3-60" USAC/Late Model multi-day show in 2012

I'm not one for rumors unless I've heard them from a VERY reliable source and usually with a plausible story. This one I've heard from some of my old contacts when I worked for Eagle. Again, I've heard nearly the same story from a couple of sources, neither of which talked "to the other guy" when I asked.

This one involves USAC and potentially several late model sanctions. As we know, the "Rumble in the Bullring" this August will feature USAC Non Winged Sprint Cars, but will be running against the famed Belleville Midget Nationals - now no longer sanctioned by USAC.

The word is that this may be the start of something bigger for 2012, akin to the "Four Crown Nationals" run at Eldora. While costs and car counts would make a return to the glory days of a four day midget show an impossibility, the idea is a multi-class weekend, with Sprints and Midgets each getting two days, with a Saturday night finale.

On top of that a big money NCRA/MLRA/(additional sanction) Late Model show could be in the mix, and in fact may end up being the headliner with a three-class features-only finale on Saturday.

The main questions seem to be one of scheduling and of getting enough cars to run a features-only night.

The first numbers thrown out are at least $20K to win for each of the three classes, leading to the "Eagle 3-60" (3 classes, $60,000 combined winner's payout) designation.

The shows would be co-promoted. No, it's not Tony Stewart but it could be a name very familiar to people at Eagle. Everything is nothing but talk, but I have a feeling the rumor was leaked intentionally to gauge interest.

This could be interesting.

-Jason