Springfield,Mo.-The staff at the Springfield Raceway are ready to close out the 2011 StockRacing season Saturday with the running of the 5th Annual Turkey classic at the Quick-Quarter of the High Banked dirttrack located at Westgate Avenue.
The race which closes out the Southwest Missouri oval track season has taken this event to high levels in the last 4 seasons.
Starting the event in 2007,the race format featured 360 WingedSprints,Midgets and A-Mods and was run the first season under extremely cold conditions as 100 raceteams competed that first season.
The format changed for the 2009 season and Dirt Latemodels,A-Modifieds,B-Modifieds and Legends were set to compete.That season over 160 teams checked-in to compete and last season 189 raceteams competed in this annual event on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
For 2011, Springfield based O’Reilly AutoParts along with Bad Boy Mowers out of Arkansas are the events sponsors and a record purse money will be paid out.
Latemodels will compete for $2,000 to win and $300 to start the Main Event while the open-wheeled A-Modifieds battle for $1,200 to win and $400 to start.Last season 33 LateModel teams signed-in and 75 A-Modifieds checked in to attempt and make the 20 car field.B-Modifieds race for $750 to win and $110 to start while the ever growing popular Legends go after $300 to win.
“The weatherman has been really good to us the last couple of seasons,but isn’t playing really nice right now.’Co-Owner Doug Bland said.”The forecast is better right now than it was looking like and we should be able to get things going with no major issues.” Partner Jerry Hoffman said we have told everyone only the R word will halt us and even then it might only delay a little bit.The Speedway has announced that in case of incliment weather Sat,the event and race will be ran on Sunday November 27th.In 4 seasons the Turkey Race has yet to have a repeat winner
The Grandstand gates will open at 12PM while hotlaps start at 1PM.Racing action is slated to start at 3PM with the qualifying heats.Grandstand Admission is $20 for Adults while kids 6-12 are only $5.
The pitgates will open at 10:30AM and pitpasses are $35.
“With the busy schedule everyone has with Thanksgiving and then Black Friday,SpringfieldRaceway offers a family Entertainment Choice as drivers match skill and luck in trying to capture the checkered flag as drivers from the Midwest battle to make the starting field in all 4 classes.The Speedway is easy access off I-44 at the Willard and West By Pass Exit located off Westgate and North Farm Road 123.
Defending champions are Justin Wells(Latemodels) of Aurora,Jody Tillman(A-Modifieds) of West Branson,Jesse Sobbing(B-Modifieds) of Glenwood,Iowa and Jason Rayle(Legends)of Springfield
The raceday phone at SpringfieldRaceway is 417-863-0097.Fans can also check out information by visiting the website at WWW.SpringfieldRaceway.Com or text SPRINGFIELDRACEWAY to 368674 to recieve mobile updates or visit the SpringfieldRaceway Facebook Page.
Past History
2007-Winners-Danny Lasoski(360 Winged Sprints)-Dover,Mo.Zach Daum(Midgets)-Pocahontas,ILL.Jackie Dalton(A-Mods)-Carthage
2008-Winners-Brian Brown(360 Winged Sprints)-Higginsville,Mo.-Brad Loyet(Midgets) Sunset Hills,Mo.-Terry Phillips(A-Modifieds) of Springfield,Mo and Colt Cheevers(B-Modifieds) of Macks Creek
2009-Winners-Ken Essary(LateModels) of Cape Fair-Steve Martin(A-Modifieds) of Ozark,Mo-Billy Street(B-Modifieds) of Joplin and Dave Bauer(Legends) of Webb City
2010-Justin Wells(Latemodels) of Aurora-Jody Tillman(A-Modifieds) of West Branson-Jesse Sobbing(B-Modifieds) of Glenwood,Iowa and Jason Rayle(Legends) of Springfield