By: Betty Glynn
La Salle, IL – After a long cold winter, the prospect of warmer days is a welcome relief for those of us who had hoped the ground hog’s prediction was accurate. With beautiful blooming flowers, greener lawns, and flowering trees the dreams of the lazy days of summer starts looking like a reality.
For many in the Illinois Valley it is another outdoor pleasure that quickly comes to mind with the anticipation of spring – it is show time at La Salle Speedway.
That show officially begins with a season opener on Saturday, April 28th. Every Saturday night from then through September, the dirt will fly and engines will roar as the weekend warriors go to battle.
The stage is set with a twenty-one event schedule stacked for racing fanatics. It seems as though each year the promoters try to bring more to the plate with a bigger show, a televised race or just something new and unique.
During a recent interview with the speedway’s promoter, Kerrianne Izzo, she talked about what’s topping their venue for 2007 and it is a lot.
“We have the four weekly divisions - Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks and UMP Four Cylinders for our regular programs, Izzo said”
“This season is going to be exciting for our fans. I am really excited to have our Lucas Oil shows back and all of the specials we have planned for each of our classes. We’ve also teamed up with Track Enterprises who will promote a Nascar Night along with the World of Outlaws Fall Nationals.”
Thanks to the new alliance, racing enthusiasts in the area will have a great opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the stars of both dirt and Nascar without traveling too far from home.
With the Chicagoland Speedway Nextel Cup Series event scheduled just minutes up the road in Joliet it seems only befitting to host a night for those professional drivers who still like to test their dirt driving abilities. On Thursday, July 12th, the clay speed arena will become a playground for dirt and asphalt pros alike when they compete for $6,000 in the coveted UMP Summernationals Nascar Night, promoted by Track Enterprises. Local talent will have the opportunity to strut their stuff with their own icons.
The track promoter confirmed that Nascar drivers Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace are scheduled to compete. As the popular series gears up so close to La Salle, the list may continue to expand with drivers that have become household names looking for some fun in the dirt world.
As exciting as it is to have stars shine, it is the weekly racers who keep the season’s momentum going week in and week out.
“We also have a new way to honor our “Hometown Heroes” created for those who finished within the top three in the 2006 points standings for our four divisions. We have drivers who give us so much we wanted to give something back to them and their supporters.”
Izzo went on to explain the program a little further. “For example, July 14th is Mike Glynn night. As the reigning Late Model Champ, he will be honored while his hometown fans from La Salle and Peru will receive $2.00 off their general admission ticket.”
“We will have some nights where we combine several drivers from one town. There will be a night to honor the father and son team of Gary and Scott Schmitt along with Eric Dauber, all three from Tonica. It is just a way to show our appreciation.”
On May 19th, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Spring Shootout starts the big money paydays when the Late Models compete in the first of two $10,000 races. The weekly Late Models, Modifieds and Street Stocks will be their support classes. The second Lucas event is scheduled for the August 6th.
One of the events may be televised but according to Izzo that will be determined at a later date.
Mixed throughout the season each division will have specials to look forward to. The ever popular Miller Lite Triple Crown Series, for the weekly Late Models, begins on June 2nd with the first of two 75 lap specials. The Triple Crown finale will be a 100 lapper around the high banks.
The Illinois Valley Cellular Street Stock Series is a combined effort between LaSalle and Bureau County Speedways. The two tracks have worked together to create excitement for the Street Stocks drivers who create a buzz all season long. Each track will host two nights of specials each while the final race at La Salle is on August 18th.
New this year is the 16th Annual World of Outlaws Late Model Fall Nationals paying $10,000 to the victor. This event was synonymous with Springfield’s famed one mile track for fifteen years but will be promoted by Track Enterprises as the season finale on Sunday, September 16th in La Salle.
The UMP Modifieds will compete for $2,000 on May 26th as well as other special events throughout the season.
Between Fan Appreciation Nights, the Hometown Heroes, Summernationals/Nascar Night, World of Outlaw Late Models, and the Lucas Oil Dirt Car Series the Illinois Valley’s largest outdoor entertainment complex is the hottest ticket in town.
Saturday night qualifying begins at 6:30 pm with racing at 7:30 pm.
La Salle, IL – After a long cold winter, the prospect of warmer days is a welcome relief for those of us who had hoped the ground hog’s prediction was accurate. With beautiful blooming flowers, greener lawns, and flowering trees the dreams of the lazy days of summer starts looking like a reality.
For many in the Illinois Valley it is another outdoor pleasure that quickly comes to mind with the anticipation of spring – it is show time at La Salle Speedway.
That show officially begins with a season opener on Saturday, April 28th. Every Saturday night from then through September, the dirt will fly and engines will roar as the weekend warriors go to battle.
The stage is set with a twenty-one event schedule stacked for racing fanatics. It seems as though each year the promoters try to bring more to the plate with a bigger show, a televised race or just something new and unique.
During a recent interview with the speedway’s promoter, Kerrianne Izzo, she talked about what’s topping their venue for 2007 and it is a lot.
“We have the four weekly divisions - Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks and UMP Four Cylinders for our regular programs, Izzo said”
“This season is going to be exciting for our fans. I am really excited to have our Lucas Oil shows back and all of the specials we have planned for each of our classes. We’ve also teamed up with Track Enterprises who will promote a Nascar Night along with the World of Outlaws Fall Nationals.”
Thanks to the new alliance, racing enthusiasts in the area will have a great opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the stars of both dirt and Nascar without traveling too far from home.
With the Chicagoland Speedway Nextel Cup Series event scheduled just minutes up the road in Joliet it seems only befitting to host a night for those professional drivers who still like to test their dirt driving abilities. On Thursday, July 12th, the clay speed arena will become a playground for dirt and asphalt pros alike when they compete for $6,000 in the coveted UMP Summernationals Nascar Night, promoted by Track Enterprises. Local talent will have the opportunity to strut their stuff with their own icons.
The track promoter confirmed that Nascar drivers Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace are scheduled to compete. As the popular series gears up so close to La Salle, the list may continue to expand with drivers that have become household names looking for some fun in the dirt world.
As exciting as it is to have stars shine, it is the weekly racers who keep the season’s momentum going week in and week out.
“We also have a new way to honor our “Hometown Heroes” created for those who finished within the top three in the 2006 points standings for our four divisions. We have drivers who give us so much we wanted to give something back to them and their supporters.”
Izzo went on to explain the program a little further. “For example, July 14th is Mike Glynn night. As the reigning Late Model Champ, he will be honored while his hometown fans from La Salle and Peru will receive $2.00 off their general admission ticket.”
“We will have some nights where we combine several drivers from one town. There will be a night to honor the father and son team of Gary and Scott Schmitt along with Eric Dauber, all three from Tonica. It is just a way to show our appreciation.”
On May 19th, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Spring Shootout starts the big money paydays when the Late Models compete in the first of two $10,000 races. The weekly Late Models, Modifieds and Street Stocks will be their support classes. The second Lucas event is scheduled for the August 6th.
One of the events may be televised but according to Izzo that will be determined at a later date.
Mixed throughout the season each division will have specials to look forward to. The ever popular Miller Lite Triple Crown Series, for the weekly Late Models, begins on June 2nd with the first of two 75 lap specials. The Triple Crown finale will be a 100 lapper around the high banks.
The Illinois Valley Cellular Street Stock Series is a combined effort between LaSalle and Bureau County Speedways. The two tracks have worked together to create excitement for the Street Stocks drivers who create a buzz all season long. Each track will host two nights of specials each while the final race at La Salle is on August 18th.
New this year is the 16th Annual World of Outlaws Late Model Fall Nationals paying $10,000 to the victor. This event was synonymous with Springfield’s famed one mile track for fifteen years but will be promoted by Track Enterprises as the season finale on Sunday, September 16th in La Salle.
The UMP Modifieds will compete for $2,000 on May 26th as well as other special events throughout the season.
Between Fan Appreciation Nights, the Hometown Heroes, Summernationals/Nascar Night, World of Outlaw Late Models, and the Lucas Oil Dirt Car Series the Illinois Valley’s largest outdoor entertainment complex is the hottest ticket in town.
Saturday night qualifying begins at 6:30 pm with racing at 7:30 pm.
