The MARS DIRTcar Series and the top drivers from the UMP DIRTcar Series will go head to head for a $15,000 Tri-State Trifecta that will include Highland Speedway in Highland, IL; Paducah International Raceway in Paducah, KY and I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO. Each race will pay $5,000 to win and $400 to start.
Now in its 12th season, the MARS Series will make it’s first-ever visit to the Highland Speedway on Thursday, August 25th. The track is a one-quarter mile, semi-banked clay oval located on the Madison County Fairgrounds. Rich in tradition, Highland Speedway is celebrating 50 years of racing in 2011. Support classes include Modifieds and Factory Stocks. Additional information can be found at www.highlandspeedway.com.
The action then moves to the Paducah International Raceway for the 33rd running of the USA World 50 on Friday, August 26th. Jerry Inman won the inaugural USA World 50 in 1978. He followed it up with another win in 1979. Tom Helfrich went to victory lane in 1980. 1981 saw Larry Moore take the win. 1982’s winner was Russ Petro. In 1983, Russellville, KY driver Phil Gregory took the checkers. Other winners through the years include Jeff Purvis, Former UMP DIRTcar Series National Champion, Terry English, 5-time MARS DIRTcar Series Point Champion Bill Frye, Two-time winner Brian Shirley and last year’s winner, Billy Moyer. Additional information can be found at www.paducahracing.com.
The final race in the MARS / UMP Trifecta will be on Saturday, August 27th at I-55 Raceway. The track, known for its lightening quick side by side racing, is a high banked 1/3 mile dirt oval. Support classes include UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, UMP DIRTcar Sportsman, UMP DIRTcar Pro 4 Stocks & UMP DIRTcar/AARA Factory Stocks (AARA Pure Stocks). Additional information can be found at www.i55raceway.com.
An unprecendented list of drivers are expected this weekend for the Tri-State Trifecta including 6-time and defending MARS champion Terry Phillips, current UMP National point leader Ryan Unzicker, current MARS point leader Brad Looney, Shannon Babb, Brian Shirley, Dennis Erb Jr., Brandon Sheppard, Jeff Walston, Randy Sellars, Jeremy Payne, Jason McBride, Brandon McCormick, Jason Riggs, Tony Jackson Jr., Jesse Stovall, Kevin Weaver, Rodney Melvin, Dylan Thompson, Leroy Johnson, Terry English, R.C. Whitwell, Dylan White, Chris Shelton, Jason Riggs, Bryan Collins, Mark Voigt, Tim Manville, Chad Zobrist, Rickey Frankel, Jeff Johns, Dewayne Kiefer, Jason Feger, Nick Lyons, Kevin Cole, Tim Brown, Jarryd Holshouser, Tony Vancil plus many more.
Information on the MARS DIRTcar Series can be found at www.marsracingseries.com.
Information on the UMP DIRTcar Series can be found at www.dirtcar.com.
The MARS DIRTcar Series would like to thank their sponsors for the 2011 season. Hoosier Racing Tire, Libscomb Auto Group, Wrisco Industries, Leitle Car Quest Auto Parts, VP Race Fuels, Powertrain Industries, Ron Mitchell Racing Photos, Hatfield Racing Engines, Andy’s Frozen Custard, COMP Cams, Arsenal Racing Graphics, Don Babb Motorsports, Rod End Supply, Larry Shaw Race Cars, GRT Race Cars, Supermoon Graphics and Vicci.