No more waiting. It's finally here. Mississippi's biggest race.
This Friday and Saturday night, October 1st and 2nd, Columbus Speedway in Columbus, MS hosts the 15th running of the Magnolia State 100. The top Super Late Model drivers in the region as well as many of the best in the nation will once again fill the pits at "The Baddest Bullring in the South" to do wage an all-out war for the $20,004 winner's share. Last year's event saw a record 100 Super Late Models fill the pits for the state's most prestigious event. This year, promoter Dewitt Singleton ups the ante by paying $1,000 just to start.
Last weekend's MSCCS James Nickoles Memorial (50 laps, $3,000-to-win) served as a tune-up for the region's best, and the spectacular race was won by Holden, LA driver Chris Wall. Wall, known as "The Intimagator", dueled heavily with Louisville, MS driver Jason Smith before collecting the win, thus instantly becoming a favorite to claim the $20,004 this weekend. Wall, who surprised some by winning the race with a "Spec" engine, would also claim the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series Rookie of the Year title in the exciting show, dubbed an "instant classic" by the fans in attendance.
Drivers who call Mississippi home obviously covet the prize above all others, though "The Kosciusko Kamikaze" Anthony Rushing is the only driver from the Magnolia State to enter victory lane in the 14 years of the event's history. Other area heroes expected to try to keep the money in-state include Smith, newly crowned MSCCS Champion Scott Slay, Bub McCool, Rodney Wing, Dennis Duncan, Scott Dedwylder, the popular David Breazeale, and local heroes Eddie and Rick Rickman. Other drivers from the region will, like Louisiana's Wall, attempt to keep the money in the southeast, with Alabama veteran driver Mike Boland and young hotshoe Ronny Lee Hollingsworth joining Tennesee favorite David Earl Gentry to head the list. Gentry collected a big win at "The Bullring" earlier this month.
The names that adorn the event's past champion’s list show that that adding a Magnolia State 100 win to a driver's resume is no walk in the park. Along with last year's winner Rushing, drivers to take home victories in the state's biggest race are Wendell Wallace, Ronnie Johnson, Terry English, Rex Richey, Donnie Barnhart, Johnny Virden, and of course, the events' 7-time champion "Mr. Smooth" Billy Moyer. A host of the nation's top competitors have indicated that they plan to attempt to add their name to the list this weekend.
Drivers compete in Pepsi Pole Qualifying on Friday night, always a spectacle at "The Bullring" as man vs. machine in a battle to see which driver has what it takes to tame Johnny Stokes' high banks. Qualifying determines the lineup for six 12-lap heat races, which never fail to produce some of the weekend's most intense, heart-stopping action as drivers race on the edge to try and become one of the top 18 feature starters.
Saturday night features 100 laps of racing action, as those competitors who did not make the $20,004-to-win, 26-car main event get not one but two chances to get in the back door. Drivers unable to transfer through one of the three frantic 10-lap B-mains will have a final opportunity to make the big show in the 10-lap Last Chance Dash presented by American Race Tires. And then, finally, the big one - the $20,004-to-win, 60-lap battle royal at "The Bullring" - the 15th running of the Magnolia State 100.
The Magnolia State Championships presented by Premier Ford showcase talent outside of the Super Late Model division. A spectacular field of Open-Wheel (IMCA-type) Modifieds can be expected as the division races for $2,004-to-win. The super-competitive modifieds have been responsible for some of the best racing of the season in 2004 at "The Bullring". The hard-racing Street Stocks and Late Model Stocks compete for a $1,000 prize. Late Model Stocks are one of the area's fastest-growing division and while not normally on the Columbus ticket, "Bullring" fans will be treated to the division this weekend, presented by Hunter Racing. Pro Street and Mini Stock divisions add to the excitement of the championships as they fight over a $700 reward ($1,000-to-win if 24 or more cars). Two-Person Cruisers round out the "Hardcore Heavy Metal" division action as they race for $300-to-win on Saturday night only.
Open practice begins Thursday night, Sept. 30th at 7:00 PM for all divisions. Friday night is Pepsi Pole Night, as the Magnolia State 100 Super Late Models qualify and run heat races as they attempt to make the feature field. Local division heats are also run on Friday night. Saturday night is "the big show", the $20,004-to-win Magnolia State 100, along with B-Mains and local division features. Full event information is listed below.
Coolers and lawn chairs are always welcome and radios can be tuned to 88.5 FM to hear the Columbus Speedway area broadcast from the tower.
Join the crowd at "The Bullring" and find out what hardcore dirt track racing is all about. Experience the all-out, no guts, no glory action at one of the South's most exciting racetracks. Join us THIS WEEKEND for the 15th running of the Magnolia State 100 at "The Baddest Bullring in the South"!
EVENT FORMAT
Pit gates open at 3pm each day!
Thursday * 7pm
Open Practice
Practice from 7pm till 10pm
Grand Stand Admission: FREE
Pit admission: Adults-$15. Children 12 & under free
Friday * 8PM
Pepsi Pole Night
Super Late Model Pole Qualifying and Qualifying Races plus
Local Division Qualifying Races
Stands: Adults $15. Children 12 and under free
Pit admission: Adults $25. Children 7-12 $10. Children 6 & under free.
Saturday * 7PM
Magnolia State 100 Main Event Night
B-Mains plus Magnolia State Main Events
Stands: Adults $20. Children 7-12 $10. Children 6 & under free.
Pit admission: Adults $30. Children 7-12 $15. Children 6 & under free.
PURSE, PRICES, LAPS, & RACE FORMAT BASED ON 2-DAY SHOW.
Corporate Sponsors and Contributors
PEPSI
MUFFLER MAGIC
MRC RACING COLLECTIBLES
WWW.MIDSOUTHRACING.COM
PREMIER FORD
MILLS MORRIS CARQUEST
HUNTER RACING
AMERICAN RACE TIRES
Host Hotels
The Wingate Inn 662-327-9999
Holiday Inn 662-327-7077
The Hampton Inn 662-328-6720
Comfort Inn 662-329-2422
Ask for the Columbus Speedway rate
FOR EVENT INFORMATION CALL DEWITT @ 601-917-1500 Days OR 601-635-4300 Eves OR BRACH at 601-917-1501 OR JOHNNY STOKES @ 662-574-2572 most anytime - OR VISIT THE Columbus Speedway Website OR CALL 662-241-5004 FOR TRACK PHONE
