Season begins for tracks today with new names, faces

A season that should provide plenty of options for area fans and a new level of competition among race tracks begins in earnest today.

Oval tracks near Benton, Fredericktown, Farmington, Malden and Pevely -- many of them featuring either similar or identical weekly classes -- are scheduled to kick off the season today and Saturday.

In Scott County near Benton, Mo., a new track manager -- Jerry Wolsey -- takes over a familiar facility with a new class of cars, new rules and a slightly adjusted name.

First, the name: Auto Tire and Parts NAPA Racepark --the NAPA is new -- reflects the new partnership of the Auto Tire and Parts chain and NAPA.

Second, the classes: Sprints, modifieds, street stocks and cruisers return from last season. Wolsey said he expects an influx of new faces in the street stock class because of rules that are more in line with other area tracks. Late models, dropped from the weekly schedule in May 2002 because of low participation, are back with sanctioning by the United Midwestern Promoters. Which leads to ...

Third, the new sanctioning group: Because of the track's affiliation with UMP in the late model and modified classes, UMP-member drivers from across the United States can compete each week at ATPR for points that apply toward a year-end championship. Last year's UMP late model championship was worth $100,000, which has Wolsey optimistic that both local racers and those from surrounding states might make ATPR a weekly stop.

Events at the ATPR oval track in April and May will help benefit the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston. With each paid general admission, $1 will be donated to the center.

Other tracks around the area also are headed into the season:

The ATPR 1/8-mile drag strip's Fast Friday Nights series kicks into high gear today and Sunday after the opener was called off because of weather last week. Today's events include heads-up drag racing for street cars starting at 6 p.m. Then on Sunday it's 9.0, 8.5, 8.0, 7.5, 7.0 and 6.5 index racing at 1 p.m. Info: (573) 344-2623 or 888-3644, or go online to www.fastfriday nights.com.

UMP-sanctioned late models return when Fredericktown (Mo.) Raceway begins the season at 7:30 p.m. today. IMCA-style modifieds join the weekly lineup and replace the pro street class. In case of rain today, events will move to Sunday. Info: (573) 697-5459.

At Blodgett, Mo., SEMO Raceway hosts the U.S. Army Spring Shootout today and Saturday for multis, the A-class and restrictor class. Practice is from 4 to 10 p.m. today followed by qualifying at 12:30 p.m. Saturday and racing at 2. Info: (573) 472-2555 or 471-8701.

New Poplar Bluff facility on track for April opener

Those involved with a new dirt oval track in Poplar Bluff, Mo., said this week the project is still scheduled to be finished sometime this month.

Work on the new 3/8-mile track on the northern edge of the city was delayed by a wet winter, but the plan still is set to include late models and modifieds among the weekly Saturday night classes for an opening date this month. Rules are at www.poplarbluff speedway.com.

Hills wins at Sikeston

Linden Hills of Freemont, Mo., won in the super pro class Saturday at the SikestonDrag Strip with a 5.27 dial and 5.3 ET (130.81 mph). Royce Thomason of Malden, Mo., was second.

In the pro class, BlakeJones of Caledonia, Mo., won with a 6.44 dial and 6.457 ET(104.11 mph). Donnie Drew of Vanduser, Mo., was second.

Floyd Foreman ofSikeston won the ETclass (8.67 dial, 8.704 ET) in 74.85 mph. Second was Stanley Byrd of Bertrand, Mo.