By: Betty Glynn
LaSalle, IL - The ¼ mile high-banks of the LaSalle Speedway will heat up once again on Saturday, April 30th. The season opener is just the beginning of what is slated to be one of the most exciting seasons to date. The schedule is action packed with weekly racing in addition to specials for each division, traveling series returns and debuts at the areas largest outdoor entertainment complex.
During the off-season, track promoter Kerrianne Izzo was busy planning out an impressive race schedule with plenty of excitement and changes to draw racing enthusiasts from across the country. At the same time, drivers have been working hard to prepare their chassis, freshen their motors and put on the finishing touches to get in gear for another season.
One of the hottest topics in the racing circles has been Late Model tires. At LaSalle it is no different. Many drivers have been wondering and speculating as to what direction the headline division would be going. The tracks final decision was recently posted on their newly designed website www.lasallespeedway.com with pictures and explanations.
When asked about their decision the response seemed quite easy for Izzo. Goodyear is again the tire of choice. "I choose to support the Goodyear tire company because I believe in what they are doing for the local racers. We switched to Goodyear’s last year and found an increase in competition and decrease in the amount of tires each team needed to be competitive," Izzo explained.
"Our weekly racers benefit from the program by purchasing tires factory direct from Goodyear, resulting in a more affordable tire. I think having a Fortune 500 company involved in the weekly racing at LaSalle Speedway only shows just how big racing is getting and not just at the Nascar level."
The driver benefit Izzo references is one that all racers can appreciate, quite simply money. Last year, Goodyear contributed a point fund worth $4,000. Again, the program will offer a fund based on the tracks tire sales.
On May 21st, the Lucas Oil NARA Late Model Dirt Series will draw major attention with ESPN2 cameras rolling for the Spring Shootout. Their second appearance will be on July 30th as both specials pay an impressive $10,000 to the winner.
The UMP Summer Nationals will make their well anticipated return to LaSalle on July 12th when some of the toughest competitors grace the clay oval for a $6,000 payday to the victor. Their stop will mark their nineteenth night of a grueling twenty-nine races in a thirty day stretch.
The Season Finale on September 4th will wrap up racing with the winner collecting $5,000 to win the WDRL PolyDome Late Model Series sanctioned event. In between each of these highlighted events will be door to door action as the locals vie for the track crown. Last years track champ, Frank Reaber, will return in fighting form to hold his title.
Mautino Distributing will once again sponsor the fan favorite Triple Crown Series for the Midwestern Late Model division. In past years, their three races has become a triple bonus of outstanding down-to-the-line finishes. In honor of Mautino’s 100 year anniversary, the Midwestern’s will again race 100 laps on September 3rd. The other two races will be 75-lappers each.
The Midwestern Late’s are sure to provide some of the best racing week in and week out as it has become a very competitive group of drivers. Tonica’s Eric Dauber is sure to be ready to race for his title and qualifying record he earned in 2004 for the division.
When the Midwestern Sportsman and Street Stock competitors roll onto the track fans are sure to feel the excitement of the well awaited season. The drivers don’t seem to get as much glory as the Late Model classes but they put on their fair share of exciting racing.
The season opener will spotlight all four of the normal divisions including the Late Models, Midwestern’s, Midwestern Sportsman’s, and Street Stock classes. Each of the four divisions provide never ending action from April through the first weekend of September. The first race is always a showcase of new paint schemes, different chassis and new talent.
Pit gates open at 4:00p.m., Grandstands 5:00p.m., Qualifying 6:30p.m., Racing 7:30p.m..
Trick Pony will top the venue on Sunday, May 29th. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the box office or on the Speedway’s website.
LaSalle, IL - The ¼ mile high-banks of the LaSalle Speedway will heat up once again on Saturday, April 30th. The season opener is just the beginning of what is slated to be one of the most exciting seasons to date. The schedule is action packed with weekly racing in addition to specials for each division, traveling series returns and debuts at the areas largest outdoor entertainment complex.
During the off-season, track promoter Kerrianne Izzo was busy planning out an impressive race schedule with plenty of excitement and changes to draw racing enthusiasts from across the country. At the same time, drivers have been working hard to prepare their chassis, freshen their motors and put on the finishing touches to get in gear for another season.
One of the hottest topics in the racing circles has been Late Model tires. At LaSalle it is no different. Many drivers have been wondering and speculating as to what direction the headline division would be going. The tracks final decision was recently posted on their newly designed website www.lasallespeedway.com with pictures and explanations.
When asked about their decision the response seemed quite easy for Izzo. Goodyear is again the tire of choice. "I choose to support the Goodyear tire company because I believe in what they are doing for the local racers. We switched to Goodyear’s last year and found an increase in competition and decrease in the amount of tires each team needed to be competitive," Izzo explained.
"Our weekly racers benefit from the program by purchasing tires factory direct from Goodyear, resulting in a more affordable tire. I think having a Fortune 500 company involved in the weekly racing at LaSalle Speedway only shows just how big racing is getting and not just at the Nascar level."
The driver benefit Izzo references is one that all racers can appreciate, quite simply money. Last year, Goodyear contributed a point fund worth $4,000. Again, the program will offer a fund based on the tracks tire sales.
On May 21st, the Lucas Oil NARA Late Model Dirt Series will draw major attention with ESPN2 cameras rolling for the Spring Shootout. Their second appearance will be on July 30th as both specials pay an impressive $10,000 to the winner.
The UMP Summer Nationals will make their well anticipated return to LaSalle on July 12th when some of the toughest competitors grace the clay oval for a $6,000 payday to the victor. Their stop will mark their nineteenth night of a grueling twenty-nine races in a thirty day stretch.
The Season Finale on September 4th will wrap up racing with the winner collecting $5,000 to win the WDRL PolyDome Late Model Series sanctioned event. In between each of these highlighted events will be door to door action as the locals vie for the track crown. Last years track champ, Frank Reaber, will return in fighting form to hold his title.
Mautino Distributing will once again sponsor the fan favorite Triple Crown Series for the Midwestern Late Model division. In past years, their three races has become a triple bonus of outstanding down-to-the-line finishes. In honor of Mautino’s 100 year anniversary, the Midwestern’s will again race 100 laps on September 3rd. The other two races will be 75-lappers each.
The Midwestern Late’s are sure to provide some of the best racing week in and week out as it has become a very competitive group of drivers. Tonica’s Eric Dauber is sure to be ready to race for his title and qualifying record he earned in 2004 for the division.
When the Midwestern Sportsman and Street Stock competitors roll onto the track fans are sure to feel the excitement of the well awaited season. The drivers don’t seem to get as much glory as the Late Model classes but they put on their fair share of exciting racing.
The season opener will spotlight all four of the normal divisions including the Late Models, Midwestern’s, Midwestern Sportsman’s, and Street Stock classes. Each of the four divisions provide never ending action from April through the first weekend of September. The first race is always a showcase of new paint schemes, different chassis and new talent.
Pit gates open at 4:00p.m., Grandstands 5:00p.m., Qualifying 6:30p.m., Racing 7:30p.m..
Trick Pony will top the venue on Sunday, May 29th. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the box office or on the Speedway’s website.
