READY TO ROCK; RACETRACK AT BENTON HOSTS SPEEDWAGON

BENTON -- The upcoming REO Speedwagon concert at the International Racepark in Benton will be the first of several major concerts the park will sponsor this year and next, according to co-owner Keith Simpson.

"We've been wanting to have a concert, and we feel like we've got the perfect place for an outdoor concert," said Simpson.

REO will perform with Head East at the racepark Aug. 2. Gates open at 4 p.m. and music starts at 6 p.m. Kevin Lee and the Lonesome City Kings will be the opening act.

Simpson, his brother and father opened the racepark in May 1991. This is the first concert they've held. They said they were lucky to get such a well-known band.

"REO Speedwagon was available, and we decided they would be perfect for our first concert. Then we were lucky enough to get Head East," he said.

A stage will be erected in the arena of the racepark. Grandstand seating will be available for about 5,000. Festival-style standing will be available for about 1,000 more, he said.

Simpson said he plans to hold several more concerts at the racepark next year, "if everything goes well with the REO concert."

He said ticket sales are going well.

"We've gotten calls from Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee," he said. "This is the major event of the summer for us."

He said upcoming concerts will feature mostly rock and roll and country rock bands.

"The Show Me Center does quite a few country concerts, but I really feel that people want to see rock and roll concerts as well. Down here it's outdoors so people are free to do what they want."

Both REO and Head East have been successful in the Midwest. REO's roots are in Champaign, Ill., and recently the band performed at the VP Fair in St. Louis.

Head East got its start even closer to Southeast Missouri. One of the band members is from Sparta, Ill.

"Both the bands usually draw a large crowd," Simpson said. "We're really excited."

Tickets are $17. They are available at Disc Jockey Records and Fun Flicks. Tickets can be charged by phone at 545-4242.

Mike Ford of Ford Entertainment said he worked for about a month to secure REO Speedwagon for the racepark.

He said the performance is a major event for the area.

"It's a first for Benton, no doubt," he said.