UMP Late Models dropped at Fredericktown Raceway

Millsey

Millsey

New Member
FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- (Sept. 15, 2003) Due to economic reasons the UMP Late Model program at the Fredericktown Raceway has been dropped effective immediately.
"We've tried everything in the world to try and keep the late models here, but it's just not economically feasible," said Terry Flanagan, track manager. "We tried all kinds of things to avoid this, but there is no other alternative. In order for the track to survive this was just a move we had to make."
Immediate plans are to make the Modifieds and the Sportsmen/Hobby Stock classes the feature classes with the Pure Street class and the RAMS Mini Stock class remaining as support classes. It is also possible another class will be added to the weekly lineup for the 2004 racing season with one of the leading candidates to fill that spot being the 600cc Multis.
"We are a small local track," Flanagan said. "We're had good success so far in working with the Modifieds and the Sportsmen/Hobby Stocks and we feel like if we give those racers better pay and improve the conditions here at the track we might just come up with a winning combination."
Plans are to hold weekly races at the Fredericktown Raceway this fall through the end of October, with the annual Fredericktown Raceway Awards Banquet being held on Saturday, Oct. 25th.
"We've got a big show featuring the Modifieds and the Sportsmen/Hobby Stocks this weekend (Sept 19th with raindate of Sept. 21) and we're hoping the racers and fans will come out and support us," Flanagan said.
Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday with racing at 7:30 p.m. For more information on the Fredericktown Raceway contact Flanagan at (573) 783-3901
 
If I read this correctly, then eastern MO will not have a LM track to race at next year. That means Belle Clair and Godfrey could benefit in the LM car count.
Sorry that this will be the case, but you are right about the dollars and cents side of things. Hope the rest of the programs work out.
 
As far as I know, the track at Malden, Mo., will still run late models on Fridays next year. They'd draw a car or two from the Farmington area on Fridays once in a great while before Fredericktown picked up that class last year.

Malden could be in a good spot on Fridays now that Fredericktown has dropped the LM class and Paducah (Ky). has switched to Saturdays. Malden drew 22 LMs last week, with a few from Illinois and Kentucky.
 
all of the cars are at montgomery already except 2 or 3. I think this is a ****ty deal the owner said he needed more cars, he gets 16 lm's the week before then shuts down, I like terry but that is crap!!!
 
Class Released

This is another classic example of the current economic times in the Southeast Missouri Region. I know it has been very tough in this area this past summer. We have several people out of jobs and the consumers are very tight with every penny they have. Don't blame the promoter on this one, he had to make the move like I did on the Sprint weekly shows ATPR was having. We didn't want to do it but it had to be done in order to survive. We replaced the Sprints with the Late Models but in the same time saved appoximately $2,500.00 per week. Nobody enjoys budget cuts, but it is just the sign of the times right now and it will remain that way until things get better in the region. You got to remember the Fredericktown track is like ATPR were both located out here in the back forty and we don't enjoy the population that the Metro tracks have each weekend, so therefore we must make adjustments. Times will get better but it will not happen until the late spring of 2004 around here at least. Terry as a fellow Promoter I support your decision and as they tell me each day "Hang in there".

Jerry Wolsey
Promoter
Auto Tire and Parts NAPA Racepark
Benton, Missouri
 
Its too bad that Fredericktown is forced to do this. They have been a class act all year and have treated the LM drivers like gold.

Racers and fans need to support them in doing whatever is necessary to keep the track running.
 
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