By: Betty Glynn
The LaSalle Speedway season opener is slated for Saturday night, May 3rd, with one of its most popular events returning topping the venue after a two year absence.
The Jeff’s EngineMasters Spring Shootout was last on the schedule during the 2001 season but Mother Nature soaked any hopes for a new King to be crowned. In 2002, the event was replaced with the Renegade Dirt Car Series, but due to the popularity of previous Shootouts the promoters decided it belonged back at the Speedway for opening day.
“I think that starting the season off with the Jeff’s EngineMasters Shootout is a great way for our regular fans and drivers to kick off the year,” according to track promoter Kerrianne Izzo. “The race has always been a fan and driver favorite and this year will certainly be no different.”
In hopes of staking claim to the $4,000 payday in the forty lap main event, the UMP Late Model drivers are sure to be in top form on opening day. With a title that has long resided between brothers Joe and Tony Izzo Jr. de-throwning the family may be a taller feat then expected as Tony will be in attendance to defend the title.
The newly released schedule boasts a long list of other favorites starting with the three Midwestern Late Model 75 lap specials spaced throughout the season with the first leg scheduled the twenty fourth of May. Three Fan Appreciation $5 Nights have also been spread throughout beginning on June21st. Specials for the Sportsman and Street Stock divisions have been planned from beginning to end on the schedule keeping the excitement alive for the weekly shows as well.
One of the highlighted races of the season is the much anticipated return of the UMP Summer Nationals on June 25th. When the Summer Nationals rolls thru, the drivers from across the country will be competing for not only the nights top pay of $6,000 but in hopes of adding to their points as the final points champion earns the prestige and windfall of cash the Nationals title holder claims.
On the first Saturday of August, a single competitor will drive his way to a winning check of $10,000 for the first ever XTreme Dirt Car Series, formerly UDTRA, race. The XTreme series is now under new ownership and sweeping across the country allowing the talents of professional drivers to take on some of the best local competition the state has to offer.
With its debut the newly revamped series hits close to home as the owner, Doug Bland, has local family ties to the Marseilles area. Since the beginning of the year southern states have gotten a glimpse into the competition and it appears to be making waves in the racing circles.
Entering Victory Circle is never an easy task as the LaSalle Speedway has become one of the most competitive places that a dirt car enthusiast can showcase their talents. Whether it is a weekly program, a division special or a show with some of the hottest names in dirt the ¼ mile clay oval is a challenge to tame and the competition is even tougher. Like most other years, new drivers are preparing to curb a lifelong yearning to strap on a helmet and hit the high banks.
One new, but familiar, face stepping into a firesuit is Oglesby resident Tina Soberri who will be trying her hand in a Sporstman car after years of wondering what it would be like. Tina’s father, brothers and friends have worked on and raced cars for as long as Tina could remember so the feelings were more then likely just a natural curiosity after years of exposure to the sport. Her father Bill Weistart raced before she was even born and her brother Billy Jr. is now a competitor in the UMP class.
Her Saturday night introduction might have made the average newcomer nervous but this young mother of two is ready to give it a shot.
“Everyone keeps asking me if I am nervous?” Soberri explained. “To be honest the only time I was nervous was when I was strapping on the belts and started to back out of my pit spot at practice, once I was on the track it was a lot of fun.” “I have wanted to do this for fifteen years so my kids and I are just really excited that I am finally getting the chance to do it.”
In other division news, the ever competitive Midwestern Late Model division has lost the top two points finishers from last season to the UMP Late Model class. Last seasons champ Tom Markham and runner up Dan Bardell of Ladd have both moved into the big dog arena leaving the field wide open to a new champion.
Saturday’s qualifying begins at 6:30pm with racing at 7:30pm. Adult admission for this event is $15.00 with kids eleven and under free. During the weekly programs adult admission will remain at $8 and children eleven and under are free.
The LaSalle Speedway season opener is slated for Saturday night, May 3rd, with one of its most popular events returning topping the venue after a two year absence.
The Jeff’s EngineMasters Spring Shootout was last on the schedule during the 2001 season but Mother Nature soaked any hopes for a new King to be crowned. In 2002, the event was replaced with the Renegade Dirt Car Series, but due to the popularity of previous Shootouts the promoters decided it belonged back at the Speedway for opening day.
“I think that starting the season off with the Jeff’s EngineMasters Shootout is a great way for our regular fans and drivers to kick off the year,” according to track promoter Kerrianne Izzo. “The race has always been a fan and driver favorite and this year will certainly be no different.”
In hopes of staking claim to the $4,000 payday in the forty lap main event, the UMP Late Model drivers are sure to be in top form on opening day. With a title that has long resided between brothers Joe and Tony Izzo Jr. de-throwning the family may be a taller feat then expected as Tony will be in attendance to defend the title.
The newly released schedule boasts a long list of other favorites starting with the three Midwestern Late Model 75 lap specials spaced throughout the season with the first leg scheduled the twenty fourth of May. Three Fan Appreciation $5 Nights have also been spread throughout beginning on June21st. Specials for the Sportsman and Street Stock divisions have been planned from beginning to end on the schedule keeping the excitement alive for the weekly shows as well.
One of the highlighted races of the season is the much anticipated return of the UMP Summer Nationals on June 25th. When the Summer Nationals rolls thru, the drivers from across the country will be competing for not only the nights top pay of $6,000 but in hopes of adding to their points as the final points champion earns the prestige and windfall of cash the Nationals title holder claims.
On the first Saturday of August, a single competitor will drive his way to a winning check of $10,000 for the first ever XTreme Dirt Car Series, formerly UDTRA, race. The XTreme series is now under new ownership and sweeping across the country allowing the talents of professional drivers to take on some of the best local competition the state has to offer.
With its debut the newly revamped series hits close to home as the owner, Doug Bland, has local family ties to the Marseilles area. Since the beginning of the year southern states have gotten a glimpse into the competition and it appears to be making waves in the racing circles.
Entering Victory Circle is never an easy task as the LaSalle Speedway has become one of the most competitive places that a dirt car enthusiast can showcase their talents. Whether it is a weekly program, a division special or a show with some of the hottest names in dirt the ¼ mile clay oval is a challenge to tame and the competition is even tougher. Like most other years, new drivers are preparing to curb a lifelong yearning to strap on a helmet and hit the high banks.
One new, but familiar, face stepping into a firesuit is Oglesby resident Tina Soberri who will be trying her hand in a Sporstman car after years of wondering what it would be like. Tina’s father, brothers and friends have worked on and raced cars for as long as Tina could remember so the feelings were more then likely just a natural curiosity after years of exposure to the sport. Her father Bill Weistart raced before she was even born and her brother Billy Jr. is now a competitor in the UMP class.
Her Saturday night introduction might have made the average newcomer nervous but this young mother of two is ready to give it a shot.
“Everyone keeps asking me if I am nervous?” Soberri explained. “To be honest the only time I was nervous was when I was strapping on the belts and started to back out of my pit spot at practice, once I was on the track it was a lot of fun.” “I have wanted to do this for fifteen years so my kids and I are just really excited that I am finally getting the chance to do it.”
In other division news, the ever competitive Midwestern Late Model division has lost the top two points finishers from last season to the UMP Late Model class. Last seasons champ Tom Markham and runner up Dan Bardell of Ladd have both moved into the big dog arena leaving the field wide open to a new champion.
Saturday’s qualifying begins at 6:30pm with racing at 7:30pm. Adult admission for this event is $15.00 with kids eleven and under free. During the weekly programs adult admission will remain at $8 and children eleven and under are free.
