There were a couple of big announcements in the world of sprint car racing this past week, both involving Goodyear tires. First was the official word that the World of Outlaws will run exclusively on Goodyear tires in a multi-year deal that will begin in 2010. “Goodyear is making a significant investment in Sprint Car racing through this partnership with the World of Outlaws,” said World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. “Goodyear is committed to providing teams with world class tires that will produce the best possible racing, while also adding major promotional support through various marketing initiatives.” The additional promotional support will include appearances by the Goodyear blimp at key Outlaw events, a certificate program that will allow drivers to earn free tires and a nice $55,000 mid-season point fund that will be distributed in July.
Following on the heels of the Outlaws announcement came the news that Goodyear will partner with the Knoxville Raceway for the next three years to provide title sponsorship for the Knoxville Nationals. And of course the “cherry” for this deal is the fact that the first “Goodyear Knoxville Nationals presented by Lucas Oil” will be the 50th annual edition of the event running August 11th through the 14th in 2010. A $1,000,000 cash purse will be up for grabs making this event the richest ever in sprint car racing and 410 c.i. Sprint Car drivers competing in Knoxville will be required to race Goodyear tires on both the left and right rear wheels. “Over the past 49 years we have had many great partners for our showcase event,” stated Race Director Ralph Capitani. “We see Goodyear marking a new era in the sport for both Knoxville and open wheel dirt track racing. Their foresight and ingenuity will help the teams focus on the importance of building the fan base for sprint car racing while keeping the costs reasonable.”
Gary Crawford and Mike Borders head up our local Goodyear store, Mt. Pleasant Tire & Service, and with both of them being big race fans they are very excited with this news. If you are ever in the Mt. Pleasant area and need mechanical help or some work on your tires, make sure that you give them a call.
While snow wiped out the racing in Iowa on Saturday night it was still nice enough in other areas to get some racing in this weekend. Scott Bloomquist wrapped up the Lucas Oil Late Model Series point championship with a victory in Rome, Georgia, on Sunday night. Jimmy Owens wound up second in points while perennial Lucas Oil series champion Earl Pearson Jr. had to settle for third this year. Despite five inches of rain on Thursday the Springfield Raceway in southwest Missouri was able to run their “Octoberfast” show as a one night event on Saturday night with Terry Phillips taking the win in the Modified headliner. Colt Cheevers topped the Sport Mod contingent at Springfield. If you thought it was cold here this weekend, what do you suppose it was like up in La Crosse, Wisconsin? Race fans bundled up and filled the stands for another exciting edition of Octoberfest at the 5/8-mile paved oval that pretty much runs everything on the schedule despite the weather. It is one of three events that I have been at over the years where I sat through snow flurries to watch the races. And finally, congratulations to Andy Eckrich of Cosgrove, Iowa, who made the four hour plus pull over to the Kankakee Speedway in northeast Illinois this weekend for their Fall Harvest event. Running with the UMP Late Models Eckrich finished fourth in the main event behind 2009 UMP Late Model National Champion Jason Feger, Frank Heckenast Jr. and Kevin Weaver.
Special events coming up this weekend include two-day shows, Friday and Saturday, at Webster City IA, Dubuque IA, Memphis MO and Pevely MO, while single-day events will be run Saturday night at East Moline IL, Nevada MO and at 34 Raceway in Burlington. Hopefully the weather will be a little closer to normal for this weekend’s action!!
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