Schrader's return highlights local weekend

St. Louis-area NASCAR racer Ken Schrader will headline a pair of events at Southeast Missouri dirt tracks this weekend.

With the Winston Cup Series off for the weekend, Schrader will compete in his own dirt late model Friday in a stop by the touring Mid America Racing Series at Malden (Mo.) Speedway, then go to I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., for a regularly scheduled weekly program Saturday.

Schrader, who often makes appearances at dirt tracks across the United States in-between Winston Cup dates, could be among 30 to 40 late models for Friday's $3,000-to-win event. Drivers from Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma reguarly follow the tour, and the Malden stop often attracts a collection of area racers from neighboring states.

Saturday's event at I-55 -- sanctioned by the United Midwestern Promoters -- is another chance for drivers to pick up season points in a chase for the group's year-end $100,000 first-place prize.

Mack's rookie chase

Among the entries expected for Friday's MARS stop at Malden is Joey Mack of Benton, Mo., among one of five racers who plan to compete for the series' Kuntz & Co. Rookie of the Year title. Mack leads Dewaine Hottinger of Russellville, Ark., by two points after four MARS events. That award pays its winner $3,000 at the end of the year.

Finally a break

Auto Tire and Parts Racepark near Benton, Mo., completed its second night of oval-track racing Saturday after two straight weeks of rain. Daron Clayton of Sikeston, Mo., won the feature race in the sprint class. Jonathan Hall of Blodgett, Mo., won in modifieds and Cline Myers Jr. of Scott City, Mo.

At St. Francois County Raceway near Farmington, Mo., Tim Montgomery (sprints), Brett Anderson (multis), Robert Powers (modifieds) and Chuck Adams (hobby stocks) won feature events; Tommy Worley Jr. (sprints), Tony Roney (multis) and Billy Smith (modifieds) won events postponed from April 13.

A day earlier at Malden Speedway, Cary Conway of Jonesboro, Ark., led a season-high field of 17 late models (Allen Rettig of Sikeston, Mo., was second, Billy James of Sikeston, Mo., third, Todd Hall of Charleston, Mo., sixth). Nathan Rettig of Sikeston won in pure streets and was second in the feature postponed from April 12. Larry Hull of Old Appleton, Mo., was fourth in modifieds with Greg King of Sikeston seventh; Arkansas' Jerry Buck won.

Here and there

Billy James of Sikeston, Mo., finished sixth in Saturday's late model feature at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway near Calvert City, Ky.

Todd Hall of Charleston, Mo., was fourth in Saturday's late model feature at Poinsett County Raceway near Harrisburg, Ark.

Mike Meyer of Sikeston was sixth in the four-cylinder class at Poinsett County on Saturday.

Terry James of Jackson, Mo., competed in Mount Vernon (Ill.) Speedway's late model class Saturday and finished outside the top 10.

What's ahead

SEMO Motor Speedway near Sikeston, Mo., will host the new RAMS mini stock group on Saturday, along with the Southern Missouri Dwarf Car Association class and micro sprints. The track hosts the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association and its high-speed mowers May 18.

Fredericktown (Mo.) Raceway's Spring Spectacular featuring UMP late models and modifieds was nixed Wednesday because of rain. Track officials will try again next Wednesday, this time putting the event head-to-head with a scheduled UMP-sanctioned event at Paducah (Ky.) Raceway.

A winner's check for $12,000 is up for grabs May 19 at the DuQuoin (Ill.) Magic Mile on the fairgrounds. The 30-lap event for UMP-sanctioned late models is expected to draw some of the nation's best competitors despite a $500 entry fee. The night event is the first for the UMP class under the mile track's new lights. Schrader will be among those competing. Modifieds will race for $2,000 to win.

Among Memorial Day Weekend events in the region: multis and the Winged Outlaw Warriors at SFCR on May 24; the Show Me 100 late model event at West Plains (Mo.) Motor Speedway on May 25; micro sprints May 26 at SEMO Motor Speedway; micro sprints and modifieds at ATPR May 27.

Jamie Hall is the sports editor of the Southeast Missourian.