Kart crowd races to local track this weekend

Officials at SEMO Motor Speedway expect a big turnout for the K-103 Kart Spring Showdown at the one-fifth mile dirt oval north of Sikeston, Mo.

Track manager Jerry Wolsey said this week that entries have come in from from as far away as Texas and West Virginia for the one-day program that features a purse of more than $14,000. It's the first of many big events scheduled this year at the track Wolsey helped purchase in December.

Among the entries is Kevin Swindell, the 12-year-old son of longtime World of Outlaws sprint series competitor Sammy Swindell of Memphis, Tenn. The younger Swindell won the track's season-opening event two weeks ago. The track was idle last week.

Practice is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Friday after gates open at noon. On Saturday, gates will open at 8 a.m. with racing at 1 p.m.

Opening day

The local racing season kicks into high gear this weekend with most area tracks in action.

At Malden (Mo.) Speedway, late models will headline the weekly program beginning Friday. As one of few Friday night options for area late model racers, the opener is expected to draw a big field of entries. Modifieds, pure streets and cruiser cars are also on the program.

At Fredericktown (Mo.) Raceway, late models sanctioned by the United Midwestern Promoters will be joind by pure streets and pro streets each Friday beginning this week. Officials with the UMP series, which sanctions weekly events at dozens of mostly Midwest racetracks, say they hope to award $1 million in prizes for their year-end points fund this season.

At Saint Francois County Raceway near Farmington, Mo., the season will begin with sprints, hobby stocks, modifieds and a multi division Saturday.

Other tracks are scheduled to open in the St. Louis area and in Western Kentucky this weekend, with more opening for weekly events by the end of the month.

It's not full-fledged competition, but a day of practice is set for Sunday at Auto Tire and Parts Racepark near Benton. Gates open at noon. Admission is $10. The track's season begins Saturday, April 13, with sprint, modified, pure stock and cruiser classes.

Over the weekend

Joey Montgomery of Fredericktown, Mo., turned in the best finish among local competitors at the World of Outlaws series event at I-55 Raceway near Pevely, Mo. Montgomery finished 22nd in the A-main.

Jerrod Hull of Sikeston, Mo., was seventh and Steve Zelch Jr. of Perryville, Mo., 15th in the B-main. The top four from that event advanced to the finale.

The modified division event was postponed to Aug. 7 because of poor track conditions.

Jamie Hall is the sports editor of the Southeast Missourian