Late models are in, sprints are out after ATPR changes plan

For the first time since the track opened in 1991, Auto Tire and Parts Racepark has taken the sprint class off its weekly schedule.

Track promoter Jerry Wolsey made the announcement Sunday on the track's Web site and said the decision was financial. The class will be replaced on the Saturday night schedule with United Midwestern Promoters late models starting with events Aug. 30.

Sprints will race Saturday and again Sept. 27 in an event sanctioned by the touring All Star Circuit of Champions. Sprints also will compete Oct. 11 in the final points race of the season.

The change brings an unexpected return of the late model class, which was part of the weekly lineup -- along with sprints, modifieds, pure stocks and cruisers -- when the season began April 5. The late model class was dropped from the weekly schedule after the May 3 events because of a low turnout.

The change in the ATPR sprint division's schedule means points leader Robbie Standridge won't have another chance this year to break the track record for most consecutive sprint feature wins. Standridge won five in a row before finishing fifth Saturday. Eddie Gallagher of Memphis, Tenn., also won five in a row in 1994.

Cline Myers Jr. of Scott City owns the track record for most consecutive wins in any class with seven straight last year in pure stocks.

Hull makes a strong run through Knoxville event

Jerrod Hull of Sikeston, Mo., made one of the strongest runs in years by an area sprint racer during the Knoxville (Iowa)Nationals last week.

With more than 100 sprints signed in to compete for the $145,000 winner's share, Hull advanced through a series of qualifying events. He started 11th and finished second in the B feature on Friday and qualified for Saturday, the final night of racing. He won the D feature on Saturday, then finished 14th in the C and didn't qualify for the B feature.

When and where

St. Francois County Raceway near Farmington, Mo., will host the traveling MARA midget series Saturday along with a full schedule that includes sprints and modifieds. Info: (573) 756-9248.

Karts and micro sprints will have the next three weeks off at SEMO Raceway and will return Sept. 13 for the O'Reilly 100. ATVs and motorcycles will compete Aug. 23 and Sept. 6. Info: (573) 472-2555.

Sprints will compete Friday in that division's monthly event at Malden (Mo.) Speedway. Late models will have the week off. Info:(573)276-6265.

Odds and ends

The Texas-based World of Outlaws sprint tour has been sold by founder Ted Johnson. The group was bought by Boundless Motor Sports Racing Inc., also based in the Dallas area. Aside from its goal of expanded television coverage, the new owners have announced no changes in the series.

Fenton, Mo., native Ken Schrader will stand out in the crowd in this week's Winston Cup event at Bristol. Schrader's team, BAM Racing, announced this week it plans to debut what it says is "one of the most unique paint schemes in NASCAR Winston Cup history" on Schrader's No. 49 car. The paint job will include mandarin on a silver base, along with colors of paint developed by sponsor SEM/Color Horizons. Saturday's race (on TNT) airs at 6:30 p.m.

Rusty Griffaw of Festus, Mo., has found Montgomery County Speedway near New Haven, Mo., to his liking. After winning twice earlier this season at ATPR, Griffaw has won the past three weeks in Montgomery County's modified class. The track will pay $100 to the driver who beats him Saturday.