New racing season gets ready to launch at ATPR in Benton

The Auto Tire and Parts NAPA Race Park will be under new management for the 2004 season, which begins today.

Dirt Track Promotions, operated by Stan Myers, reached a lease agreement in January with Doug Friese, the president of the dirt track located in Benton.

"We've been working down there since January," said Jerry Myers, Stan's son and a spokesman for Dirt Track. "We've raced for several years but this is our first time being track promoters. We've been getting quite a bit of advice from the guys who run the tracks in Farmington and Pevely."

On top of gathering advice, the Myerses have been at work, upgrading the bleachers and facilities and putting a new surface on the track.

It will be ready for the tuning and testing play day today. The event begins at 1 p.m. Admission to the grand stand is free; pit passes may be purchased.

Mud trucks will take over the track 1 p.m. Sunday for the inaugural Mud Sling in the Spring.

The regular racing season begins March 27. Racing begins 4:30 p.m. that day and will be regularly scheduled for Saturdays at 7 p.m.

"Malden has racing on Friday nights, and they've been a big help to us,too," Myers said.

The Race Park will host some midweek and special events such as a Demolition Derby on April 9, the Xtreme Dirtcar Series on April 30 and the Oklahoma Sprint Bandits on May 12. By the time Dirt Track Promotions reached the lease agreement in January, the World of Outlaws sprint car series was unavailable, but Myers said the late model series will make a stop July 20.

The track, located on Highway 505 south of Highway 77, also hopes to maintain the relationship with NASCAR drivers such as Michael Waltrip and Kenny Schrader -- both of whom made appearances at the track in recent years.

Myers said Dirt Track Promotions has a six-year lease agreement with the Race Park.

ATPR 2004 schedule

Races start at 7 p.m. unless noted.

March 20 -- Play day, 1 p.m.

March 21 -- Mud Sling in the Spring. Race starts at 1 p.m.

March 27 -- First regular race. Race starts at 4:30 p.m.

April 3 -- Regular race. First points night.

April 9 -- Demolition derby.

April 10 -- Regular race.

April 24 -- Regular race and Rams mini-stocks.

April 30 -- Xtreme Dirtcar Series.

May 1 -- Regular race.

May 8 -- Regular race.

May 12 -- Wednesday night race. Oklahoma Sprint Bandits Thunder Power 55 Screaming Sprints.

May 15 -- Regular race.

May 22 -- Southern Missouri Dwarf Cars.

May 29 -- NCRA Sprints, street stock, modified, late model.

June 5 -- Regular race. Elvis at intermission. Monster trucks. Show begins at 6 p.m.

June 12 -- Regular race.

June 19 -- Regular race. Street Stock Shoot Out, 40 laps, $600 to win.

June 26 -- Regular race. Cruiser 20-lap feature, $200 to win.

July 3 -- Regular race.

July 10 -- Inaugural Heartland Bikers Rally. No racing.