MARCH 31, 2014
MACON, Ill. – The Spring Fling season opener at Macon Speedway set for Saturday just added another attraction. Speedway co-owner Ken Schrader, a NASCAR star who is concentrating now on his dirt track program, plans to race a modified when the historic track opens for its 69th season with the Spring Fling that also features UMP Champions Night and POWRi midgets and micros.
A Missouri native, Schrader didn’t want to miss a big night of action on the famed fifth-mile track. Schrader will also stay late in the Macon Speedway pits to sign autographs.
“It’s always great to see other drivers come to our track and race against our very talented and fast drivers,’’ Macon Speedway promoter Bob Sargent said. “Ken started his career on the dirt, and he just can’t get enough of it. Ken has a busy schedule this season, so we’re lucky to have him racing in our Spring Fling season opener.’’
Schrader and Macon Speedway co-owner Kenny Wallace are also planning to race at the Action Track in Terre Haute, Ind., Sunday when the UMP modifieds share the half-mile track with the USAC Silver Crown cars for the Sumar Classic.
Macon Speedway opens the season with the seventh annual Spring Fling. The UMP Champions Night and POWRi midgets and micros highlight the racing in the season opener. Champions from 13 area tracks have been invited to compete in UMP modifieds, UMP street stocks and UMP hornets for bragging rights. The popular POWRi midgets and outlaw micros also make the first of their six appearances at the speedway this season.
Pits open at 3 p.m. and gates swing open at 5. Racing starts at 7. It’s a night when the pits are expected to reach overflow capacity with top-rate machinery and talented drivers who love to run Macon Speedway’s fast corners.
Macon Speedway is located nine miles south of Decatur on U.S. 51, then 0.6 miles west on Andrews Street, then south to 205 N. Wiles. Macon Speedway hosts racing every Saturday night, plus many weeknight specials. For more information, go online at www.maconracing.com, Facebook.com/maconracing and @maconspeedway on Twitter. A new texting service is coming soon.