           MACON, Ill. – Fasten your seat belts. Macon Speedway is ready to drop the green flag on its 70th season of racing by adding a new division to its regular racing and new dates for special touring shows. The historic fifth-mile high-banked dirt oval will host two premier late model programs and also host six nights of racing with the POWRi midgets, including a July 3-4 doubleheader with the fastest rising open wheel racing series in the country. The racing season starts April 18. Big Ten Series will also return for the super late models and street stocks, and the inaugural Big Ten Series pro late models will also crown a champion in 2015.
           For the second consecutive season, the St. Louis U-Pic-A-Part 100 joins the Herald & Review 100 as high profile dates for super late models. After the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series made its first appearance last spring with rising star Bobby Pierce Jr. taking the victory, the St. Louis U-Pic-A-Part 100 will return on Thursday, April 30. The series is considered the top national tour for late models. When the weather heats up, everyone looks forward to the big traditional race at Macon Speedway. The Herald & Review 100 is set for July 9, when the UMP Summernational rolls into Macon Speedway as the state’s best drivers battle with national stars and local hot shoes.
           POWRi midgets remind fans of Macon Speedway’s first season in 1946, when midgets were the star attraction. The open-wheelers love these smooth, high banked corners and always provide a fabulous show. The POWRi midgets make appearances on April 25, May 16, June 6 and Aug. 22, but the highlight is the July 3-4 doubleheader when POWRi turns the holiday weekend into a racing spectacular. The non-wing weekend also features a mini-sprint spectactular.
           NASCAR Night of Stars is set for May 25. Drivers will be announced at a later date.
           Since opening just after World War II, Macon Speedway became a fan favorite for its wheel-to-wheel, dirt-slinging and sideways action that brings fans to their feet with UMP super late models, Billingsley Towing UMP modifieds, UMP sportsman, UMP street stocks, UMP hornets, sprint cars, POWRi midgets and mini-sprints. The speedway will also run UMP pro late models as a regular class and build upon the first season with the B-modified class from a year ago. These newer divisions are designed to control costs for racers while also generating close, exciting racing for the fans.
           Macon Speedway also hosts the Midwest Big Ten Series for super late models, pro late models and street stocks. The season-within-a-season has racers running for a points championship in events held at Macon Speedway plus race tracks at Jacksonville, Lincoln, Taylorville, Quincy and Belleville.
           The action-packed, in-your-face racing excitement is just some of the fun. Combined with the CEFCU Kid’s Club on six nights, fireworks and a monster truck show, Macon Speedway has something for the entire family. Stay tuned for updates as the promotions continue to build. Racing runs every Saturday night through Sept. 26. Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7.
           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, follow Macon Speedway at (www.maconracing.com), Facebook (www.facebook.com/maconracing) and Twitter (@maconspeedway). It’s easy to join the Macon Speedway Text service. Fans can text MSFANS to 74574 to receive fan information. Drivers text MSDRIVERS to 74574 to receive driver information. Message and data rates may apply.
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2015 Macon Speedway schedule
March 29 – Open Test and Tune practice (noon-4 p.m.)
April 4 – Open Test and Tune practice (noon-4 p.m.)
April 18 – 8th annual Spring Fling/Driver-Sponsor Appreciation Night with photos/autographs/CEFCU Kid’s Club/Quick CAR
April 25 – POWRi midgets and micros/Full weekly racing
April 30 – St. Louis U-Pic-A-Part 100/Lucas Oil Late Models
May 2 – Bud Light Ladies Night/Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Night
May 9 – Teacher Appreciation Night, presented by The Teacher’s Lounge/Mother Dear-plus Crazy Chics in Cars
May 16 – DynaGraphics Fast Impressions Night/POWRi midgets and micros
May 23 – Bob Brady Dodge Raminator Night/CEFCU Kid’s Club/Scout Night/Pinewood Derby 1 p.m.
May 25 – Memorial Day racing special
May 30 – Casey’s General Stores Night/Armed Forces Night
June 6 – IHOP Night/Faster Pastor/POWRi midgets and micros
June 13 – Mueller Distributing Miller Lite Beer Twin 50’s/LM 50 laps & Mod 50 laps
June 20 – Heinkel’s Three Dog Night/Bud Light Ladies Night
June 27 – 95Q Firecracker 40’s/Late Model and Modified/Fireworks/Kid’s Club
July 3 – POWRi midgets and micros
July 4 – POWRi midgets and micros/Skeff Distributing Christmas in July Toy Drive
July 9 – Herald & Review 100/UMP Summernationals
July 11 – Miles Chevrolet Fireman’s Ball/Sportsman Topless 40/Bud Light Ladies Night
July 18 – Kid’s Castle Night/Hall of Fame Driver Reunion/CEFCU Kid’s Club
July 25 – MOWA Sprint Week
Aug. 1 – Taylorville Night/CEFCU Kid’s Club
Aug. 8 – No stock car racing/Go Karts
Aug. 15 – Shrine 50/Pro Late Models/Evening of Destruction/Fireworks
Aug. 22 – POWRi midgets and micros
Aug. 29 – 11th annaual Illinois State Street Stocks Championships/Griz FM 98.1 Fan Appreciation Night
Sept. 5 – Bud Light Ladies Night (championship)
Sept. 12 – Full weekly racing
Sept. 19 – Hornet World Championship/CEFCU Kid’s Club
Sept. 26 – Full weekly racing