BATESVILLE SPEEDWAY
Thursday through Saturday September 29-October 1
LOCUST GROVE AR. The Batesville Speedway will hold the finales for both the Salute to Six Modified Series and it’s racing season September 29-30, and October 1. Originally, the season was to have continued on to October 15, but track owner and promoter Mooney Starr has made the decision to end the season early due to a couple of circumstances.
“For one thing, we’re out of water,” stated Starr. “It’s been so dry this summer, that our ponds have gone dry, and we’re having to buy water from the city to prepare the track. That’s not something you can really do for every long. Also the fuel prices have just played havoc with everybody‘s budget. There’s been other tracks in the area that usually race later into the fall, but fuel prices have shut them down too, and it’s doing the same thing here.”
Starr has canceled the weekly show slated for September 23, will race on Thursday night, September 29 with a special NASCAR flavored event, then conclude the Salute to Six series on Friday and Saturday, September 30 and October 1.
His weekly show scheduled for Friday, October 7, and the Salute to Six event scheduled for October 14-15 have also been canceled.
“I hate to do it,” said Starr. “I had scheduled six of these (Salute to Six) races, but it’s just not feasible to keep going. I know the fans would like to see it, but high fuel prices have them cutting back. They can’t quit paying their bills or buying groceries, so entertainment is someplace they can cut back, and are doing it. The racers are still going to race, but they’ll stay closer to home and not tow a long ways off to race. I’ve got to come out on these races to keep the track open, so it’s just best for everybody and everything to shut it down after Saturday, October 1.”
Starr has added a special Thursday night show to the weekend. This Modified only race will serve as an extra opportunity for the drivers to get some laps on the track, as well as feature NASCAR Superstars racing with the regular competitors in the Salute to Six series. The feature race will pay $1,000 to win that night and the Modifieds will will be the only class competing. So far Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace have committed to be on hand, and Starr is working on adding other Nextel Cup drivers to the line-up for September 29.
On Friday, September 30, qualifying heat events will be held for the Modifieds along with the Economy Modifieds and Front Wheel Drive cars as support classes. Finally, on Saturday October 1, the last chance qualifying events and the big feature event for the Salute to Six Modified series will be held, and will pay $6,000 to win, and $600 to start. Once again, the Economy Modifieds and Front Wheel Drive cars will be on hand in a support role.
Jeff Taylor and Jeremy Payne are tied for the series points lead, and this event will decide the championship. Jared Landers, Wayne Brooks, Walt Butler, Brandon Smith, Kevin Salter, Michael Murphree, John Whittington, and Shawn Walsh are top ten drivers expected to be on hand. Jeff Taylor, Terry Phillips, Tim Crawly, and Bill Frye each have a Salute to Six Series win.
Thursday through Saturday September 29-October 1
LOCUST GROVE AR. The Batesville Speedway will hold the finales for both the Salute to Six Modified Series and it’s racing season September 29-30, and October 1. Originally, the season was to have continued on to October 15, but track owner and promoter Mooney Starr has made the decision to end the season early due to a couple of circumstances.
“For one thing, we’re out of water,” stated Starr. “It’s been so dry this summer, that our ponds have gone dry, and we’re having to buy water from the city to prepare the track. That’s not something you can really do for every long. Also the fuel prices have just played havoc with everybody‘s budget. There’s been other tracks in the area that usually race later into the fall, but fuel prices have shut them down too, and it’s doing the same thing here.”
Starr has canceled the weekly show slated for September 23, will race on Thursday night, September 29 with a special NASCAR flavored event, then conclude the Salute to Six series on Friday and Saturday, September 30 and October 1.
His weekly show scheduled for Friday, October 7, and the Salute to Six event scheduled for October 14-15 have also been canceled.
“I hate to do it,” said Starr. “I had scheduled six of these (Salute to Six) races, but it’s just not feasible to keep going. I know the fans would like to see it, but high fuel prices have them cutting back. They can’t quit paying their bills or buying groceries, so entertainment is someplace they can cut back, and are doing it. The racers are still going to race, but they’ll stay closer to home and not tow a long ways off to race. I’ve got to come out on these races to keep the track open, so it’s just best for everybody and everything to shut it down after Saturday, October 1.”
Starr has added a special Thursday night show to the weekend. This Modified only race will serve as an extra opportunity for the drivers to get some laps on the track, as well as feature NASCAR Superstars racing with the regular competitors in the Salute to Six series. The feature race will pay $1,000 to win that night and the Modifieds will will be the only class competing. So far Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace have committed to be on hand, and Starr is working on adding other Nextel Cup drivers to the line-up for September 29.
On Friday, September 30, qualifying heat events will be held for the Modifieds along with the Economy Modifieds and Front Wheel Drive cars as support classes. Finally, on Saturday October 1, the last chance qualifying events and the big feature event for the Salute to Six Modified series will be held, and will pay $6,000 to win, and $600 to start. Once again, the Economy Modifieds and Front Wheel Drive cars will be on hand in a support role.
Jeff Taylor and Jeremy Payne are tied for the series points lead, and this event will decide the championship. Jared Landers, Wayne Brooks, Walt Butler, Brandon Smith, Kevin Salter, Michael Murphree, John Whittington, and Shawn Walsh are top ten drivers expected to be on hand. Jeff Taylor, Terry Phillips, Tim Crawly, and Bill Frye each have a Salute to Six Series win.
