Progress on new track nears finish line

He's in jail. He's bankrupt. His property was repossessed.

Keith Adamson said he's heard all the rumors about why his new Poplar Bluff Speedway -- a 3/8-mile dirt oval track originally planned to be open late last fall, then by the end of April -- still isn't ready.

And all the gossip, Adamson says, is hogwash.

"If we knew the city would have their part done, we could have our part done in time to go racing next weekend," Adamson said Wednesday. "The problem has been the holdup getting all the electric and sewer hookups finished by the city. That's the wait."

A high water table from a wet winter kept city and track crews from digging into the ground for much of the spring. The water has lowered enough in the past several days for Adamson's crew to install the track's septic system, but he says it still has to be connected to the city's water system. The local utility company promised Adamson it would have electric service installed by April 5, but it still could be a few days before it's ready.

"Every time we'd dig a trench, the water would seep in," Adamson said. "That's a problem we've had for a while, but we've just about got it whipped."

Concrete is being poured this week on the track's 800 feet of retaining walls. Lights and grandstands continue to be put in place and could be done within three weeks. Final touches are being made on concession areas. The parking areas already have been graded and covered in gravel.

"We're probably looking at about three weeks before everything is completely done and ready to go," Adamson said. "But that's if the weather's on our side. We're not to the point where I want to set a definite date just yet."

As for the rumors, Adamson laughs and shrugs them off. He said one caller a few days ago asked him when he got out jail.

"I haven't heard one rumor yet that's right," he said. "They're some real stories."

Noteworthy

Malden's makeup: Sprints will not compete as part of the May 8 MARS late model event rescheduled from Friday. The rare Thursday program will feature the $3,000-to-win late model event, plus modifieds, pure streets, hobby stocks and cruisers. Winston Cup racer Ken Schrader will compete in the late model event.

In the delta: If you're up for taking in a weekend of casinos and short-track racing, the new Delta Bowl Speedway near Tunica, Miss., will make a big debut Saturday with a $15,000-to-win Xtreme Dirt Car Series late model event. The program also will feature sprints ($2,000 to win) and modifieds ($1,200 to win). The track has teamed with Sam's Town Casino and Hotel for a special hotel package. Details are online at www.deltabowl.com.

If you can't go, Saturday night's program will be taped and aired for the first time on the Speed Channel at 8 p.m. May 29.

Busch goes Gateway: Tickets still are available for the Charter Pipeline 250, a Busch Series event May 10 at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill., near St. Louis.

The Busch Series race kicks off a string of big once-a-month tour events. There's an NHRA Nationals event June 27 to 29, a Craftsman Truck Series event July 18 and 19, and an Indy Racing League event Aug. 9 and 10. Info is at www.gatewayraceway.com.

Ozarks gold: More than two dozen racers already have entered the 11th annual Show-Me 100, a late model event that carries a nearly $200,000 total purse May 22 to 24 at West Plains (Mo.) Speedway. The winner will earn $37,000. More than 100 entries are expected.

Industrial-sized thanks: Saturday's events begin a series of industrial appreciation weeks at Auto Tire andParts Racepark near Benton. First up: Lee-Rowan Co., a Rubbermaid facility in Jackson. Employees will be admitted to Saturday's program for $5.