By: Betty Glynn
The La Salle Speedway is ready.
Words that race fans and teams in Central Illinois want to hear this time of year. With the colder temps hanging around far too long, racing enthusiasts are ready for action. The only thunder they are interested in hearing is the rumble of horsepower echoing from the speed plants that were expected to be in La Salle on April 1st and April 2nd. Instead, the Illinois Valley’s largest outdoor sports arena will remain vacant a little longer.
The World of Outlaws Dirt Late Model Series, Tru-Speed Enterprises and the La Salle Speedway teamed up to open the speedway’s twentieth anniversary season in a big way. The 4th Annual Illini 100 was moved to La Salle after three years at Farmer City. The opener was slated to be one of the biggest dirt late model events the track has ever hosted. The two day outing paid $20,000 to the victor with a combined purse of over $100,000. With such a big venue topper, the Izzo family has been diligently working to get ready for the epic show on dirt. Colder temperatures haven’t stalled their progress.
The fencing has been modified and repaired, a wall moved, track lighting added, the clay and dirt oval surface worked, victory lane redone, concessions are stocked, employees are ready to clock in and the show will not go on. At least, not yet. Unfortunately, everything has been put on hold due to an unpleasant forecast that could be seen on internet weather sites Tuesday morning. The potential for inclement weather prompted the World of Outlaws director Tim Christman to postpone the historic event.
According to a press release issued by the WoO PR Director, Kevin Kovac, the unfavorable weather forecast prompted the early cancellation.
The speedway management found out via unhappy callers wanting to verify that the Twitter and Facebook posts that were spreading quickly was in fact a reality. At first, track officials weren’t able to answer with conviction but later confirmed the decision to pull the plug was in fact true.
“We are just really upset that the show will not go on for our racers and fans. Well, at least not yet anyway,” track owner Kerry Izzo explained during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. “We are ready to go racing.”
“There were discussions about possibly having to postpone based on the potential weather for Friday but we were hoping to hold out another day or two to make sure the forecast didn’t change.”
“We are so saddened to have this event postponed as we truly are ready for the drivers, campers, race teams, employees, sponsors, and fans. I do understand the concerns but I want the public to know we were ready to ride it out a little longer and wish Mother Nature would have given us a better chance.”
With advance tickets sales and campsites being made public in recent months, it didn’t take long for the enthusiastic racing community to schedule their weekend.
“We had over forty camp sites sold in advance. People are calling upset because they took vacation time and had their weekend plans ruined now. I hope we can reschedule the event we really want to bring this spectacular show to our track. We want the Illini at La Salle – we are as excited as our loyal supporters to have the WoO here.”
Mother Nature’s mood swings are in full gear which is still evident when checked on Thursday afternoon via www.weather.com. The forecast for Friday predicts a 70% chance of precipitation in the morning along with a day time high of 52°F while the low dips to 33°F. Saturday on the other hand is expected to provide plenty of sunshine producing a high of 56°F.
Fans who bought the advanced tickets should have received an email with the pertinent information and instructions on obtaining their options for reimbursement.