…I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO & Highland (IL) Speedway Bookend Super Late Model Events During August 25th-27th ‘Valvoline Tri-State Challenge’
St. Louis, MO (Aug. 20)  High speed drama returns to St. Louis this coming weekend as the most talented short track aces from the Midwest go head to head in the annual ‘Tri-State Challenge’. Two local tracks will bookend the three-race super late model weekend as drivers will take the green flag at Highland Speedway this Thursday (Aug 25) night in the first of three nights offering $5,000 to win events which concludes Saturday at I-55 Raceway. The drivers of the MARS and UMP late model sanctions will travel to Paducah, Kentucky for the Friday evening portion of the ‘Tri-State Challenge’ before returning to St. Louis in the weekend’s battle royal at I-55 Raceway in Pevely on Saturday (Aug 27).
Last year Batesville, Arkansas ace Billy Moyer swept the tour events at Paducah International Raceway and I-55 Raceway. With big money on the line in the trio of races, expect all the big guns to unload for the week’s action. Moyer won an earlier rumble this summer at Highland Speedway; while in one of this year’s brightest racing news stories, young Brandon Sheppard pulled off a shocking victory at I-55 Raceway in June. Drivers from Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana and other Midwest locations will roar to life in the special weekend. Last year’s battle at I-55 Raceway saw Moyer go head to head with the likes of traveling hot shoes Shannon Babb, Terry Phillips, Dennis Erb Jr., Jason Feger, Brian Shirley, Wendell Wallace, Randy Korte, Kevin Weaver, Jack Sullivan, and Rodney Melvin. Among the other stars expected in this coming week’s ‘Tri-State Challenge’ are Brad Looney, Jeremy Payne, Jason McBride, Mark Voigt, Nick Lyons and a host of other drivers from Missouri, Illinois and states in the region. A hard hitting lineup of young guns will also be ready to contend for the winner’s share of the purses, including Brandon Sheppard, Mike Spatola, Billy Moyer Jr., Dylan White, Chad Zobrist and Ryan Unzinker among others. The mixed field of veteran and young talent should provide race fans with plenty of bonus value for their tickets in each of the three nights of racing excitement.
Tickets for Saturday night’s Valvoline Battle Royal final night of the ‘Tri-State Challenge’ will be available online at the gate. For more event information visit www.i55raceway.com or call the I-55 Raceway office at (636) 479-3219. I-55 Raceway is located alongside Interstate 55, just south of St. Louis at Exit 180 in Pevely. Grandstand and Pit gates will open at 4:00 pm on Saturday with overnight camping available Free of Charge. Kids 12 and Under are admitted Free into the Grandstands. In addition to the Super Late Model events, fans will be treated to action in the UMP Modified, Sportsman, Pro-4 and Factory Stock divisions.
Thursday night’s weekend opener at Highland Speedway presented by Kettle River Furniture will kick off the three night blitz at the Madison County, IL Fairgrounds. UMP Modifieds will also be in action in the special Thursday night of racing. Gates open at 4:00 pm Thursday at Highland Speedway with General Admission Grandstand tickets sold at the gate, Kids 12 and Under admitted Free in the Grandstands. Additional event information is available at the track’s web site, www.highlandspeedway.com
The Friday night portion of the triple-header weekend will see the drivers challenge the high banks of Paducah International Raceway in the annual USA World 50.  Racing gets underway at 7:30 Friday night the Paducah, Kentucky track. Tickets will be available at the gates on Friday with complete event details available at www.paducahracing.com
I-55 Raceway also reminds all fans that Reserved Seating tickets for the September 17th ‘Pepsi Nationals’ featuring a return of the World of Outlaws are now available by calling the track office or ordering online at www.i55raceway.com
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