Friday, May 2, 2014

Bad Things Come In Threes

I hate using the phrase "they say", but they say that bad things come in threes and in this case I hope that they are right as three tracks in the region announced this week that they are closing down for the remainder of 2014.

Late Model driver Jim Moon surprised us all when he announced that he would be taking on the promotion of Montgomery Motorsports Park in New Florence, Missouri, this season with a season opener originally set for March 1st. The tough winter pushed that opener to a still aggressive March 15th and the track was able to put on five complete programs through April 19th. Last Saturday night the show was cancelled due to some rain after pit passes had been sold and we learned a few days ago that Moon's lease with the owner of the facility had been terminated. The track has had an up and down few years recently only running a few Sprint Car specials in 2013 and many of the comments on the STLracing.com forum board seem to be pointing the finger at the track owner and in favor of the efforts put forth by Moon. I don't know who is more correct, but I do know that I am disappointed that I did not get down there earlier as this is a track that I have really enjoyed on a couple of previous visits. Of course, to add even more to the drama and confusion, a post on another thread hinted that the track may reopen after a couple of weeks so I guess we will have to sit back and watch how this unfolds.

The closure is much more official at the other two facilities. Track owners Mike and Carolyn White have announced that they are ceasing operations at LA Raceway in LaMonte, Missouri, after running just three events in 2014. The track has been shut down early a couple of times in the recent past and this year they were trying something completely new by giving Archie Simpson the opportunity to revive his Winged Outlaw Warrior (WOW) 360 winged sprint car division. The original WOW was sold to ASCS a couple of years ago and now runs as the ASCS Warrior Region with an event scheduled for this Saturday May 3rd at Lucas Oil Speedway not too far south of LA Raceway. It was going to be interesting to see how the drivers chose up sides as two weeks ago at the Warrior Region opener in Springfield only three Missouri-based drivers showed up to compete. The event was also a Sooner region race so there was a total of seventeen cars on hand while LA Raceway drew twenty cars that same night.

While the Whites and Simpson appeared to have the advantage in regard to drawing the cars, obviously the fan count was not enough to support the two division program that also featured the 305 winged sprints and the plug was pulled. Will Simpson try to find another venue for his WOW revival? That remains to be seen.

I saw some rumors floating around this past winter that indicated that Rapid Speedway in the northwest Iowa community of Rock Rapids would not reopen in 2014 and I chalked that up to the rumor mill when the track's website announced a full schedule a couple of weeks ago. This morning though I received an e-mail from my friend Gary Lee that had a link to a press release from the association that announced that the season had been cancelled due to the significantly higher costs of fire and rescue services. I was able to read that link from the track's website on my phone this morning, but when I tried to include it for you here, poof, it no longer exists. I did however find the story from an area television station's website from yesterday morning, so perhaps somebody decided it was not such a good idea to identify fire and rescue costs as the primary reason for closing the track?

That's three tracks in one week and we are only getting to the first weekend in May. Missouri has been especially hard hit over the past few years with the closing of tracks in Adrian, Butler, Lake Ozark, Fredericktown, Malden, Sedalia and West Plains while in Iowa Rock Rapids joins Allison and Audubon as a fairgrounds track that will now sit idle while tracks like Cresco and Eldon run limited schedules instead of weekly. Four privately owned tracks that no longer exist are Mineral City Speedway in Fort Dodge, Echo Valley Speedway in West Union, Blackbird Bend in Onawa and Hawkeye Raceway in Blue Grass.

As I noted in my earlier post this week, car counts are surprisingly low to begin the season so let's hope that this will be the last track closures that we have to discuss in 2014!

Bobby Pierce scored the $12,000 victory as the Lucas Oil Late Model Series went short-tracking at the Macon Speedway last night. Following are the current Back Stretch National Dirt Late Model Points. Enjoy your racing weekend!


National Dirt
Late Model Points Through 5/1
Pos. Driver Hometown Points
1 . Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg TN 75
2 . Jonathan Davenport Blairsville GA 55
3 . Don O'Neal Martinsville IN 52
4 . Billy Moyer Batesville AR 49
5 . Steve Francis Ashland KY 46
6 . Bobby Pierce Oakwood IL 44
7 . Chris Madden Gray Court SC 44
8 . Darrell Lanigan Union KY 44
9 . Brandon Sheppard New Berlin IL 38
10 . John Blankenship Williamson WV 36
11 . Billy Moyer Jr. Batesville AR 29
12 . Mike Marlar Winfield TN 29
13 . Jimmy Owens Newport TN 26
14 . Eddie Carrier Jr. Salt Rock WV 25
15 . Kent Robinson Bloomington IN 25
16 . Brady Smith Solon Springs WI 24
17 . Gregg Satterlee Rochester Mills PA 24
18 . Ryan Gustin Marshalltown IA 23
19 . Shane Clanton Locust Grove GA 20
20 . Dale McDowell Chickamauga GA 19
21 . Rick Eckert York PA 18
22 . Brian Shirley Chatham IL 17
23 . Jason Hiett Lincoln AL 17
24 . Riley Hickman Ooletwah TN 17
25 . Brian Birkhofer Muscatine IA 16
26 . Earl Pearson Jr. Jacksonville FL 16
27 . Eric Wells Hazard KY 16
28 . Jason Feger Bloomington IL 16
29 . Ryan Unzicker El Paso IL 16
30 . Dennis Erb Jr. Carpentersville IL 15
31 . Billy Ogle Jr. Knoxville TN 14
32 . Casey Roberts Toccoa GA 13
33 . Jimmy Mars Elk Mound WI 12
34 . Ivedent Lloyd Jr. Ocala FL 11
35 . Jason Fitzgerald Jacksonville FL 11
36 . Terry Phillips Springfield MO 11
37 . Brandon Overton Appling GA 10
38 . Shannon Babb Mowequa IL 10
39 . Tim McCreadie Watertown NY 10
40 . Mark Whitener Middleburg FL 9
41 . Ray Cook Brasstown NC 9
42 . Vic Hill Mosheim TN 9
43 . Morgan Bagley Longview TX 8
44 . Randy Korte Highland IL 8
45 . William Thomas Phenix City AL 8
46 . Andy Eckrich Cosgrove IA 7
47 . Chris Brown Spring TX 7
48 . Chris Wall Holden LA 7
49 . Dale Hollidge Mechanicsville MD 7
50 . Donald McIntosh Dawsonville GA 7
51 . Jackie Boggs Grayson KY 7
52 . Kevin Weaver Gibson City IL 7
53 . Kyle Bronson Brandon FL 7
54 . R.C. Whitwell Tucson AZ 7
55 . Tim Fuller Watertown NY 7
56 . Clint Smith Senoia GA 6
57 . Davey Johnson Latrobe PA 6
58 . Devin Moran Dresden OH 6
59 . Eric Cooley Fulton MS 6
60 . Michael Kloos Trenton IL 6
61 . Ross Bailes Clover SC 6
62 . Timothy Culp West Monroe LA 6
63 . David Breazeale Four Corners MS 5
64 . Dennis Franklin Gaffney SC 5
65 . Duane Chamberlain Richmond IN 5
66 . J.T. Spence Winchester VA 5
67 . Keith Nosbisch Valrico FL 5
68 . Kenny Pettyjohn Milton DE 5
69 . Ray Moore Shreveport LA 5
70 . Rick Rickman Columbus MS 5
71 . Tim Dohm Cross Lanes WV 5
72 . Tommy Weder Jr. Woodward OK 5
73 . Billy Drake Bloomington IL 4
74 . Brandon Kinzer Allen KY 4
75 . Brett Hamm Newberry SC 4
76 . Chris Garnes Evans WV 4
77 . Clay Daly Watsonville CA 4
78 . Cory Hedgecock Louden TN 4
79 . Dingus Griffin Alexandria AL 4
80 . Garrett Alberson Las Cruces NM 4
81 . Jason Covert York Haven PA 4
82 . Jason Riggs Harrisburg IL 4
83 . Jason Welshan Maryville TN 4
84 . Jeff Aikey Cedar Falls IA 4
85 . Joe Armistead Jr. Senoia GA 4
86 . Justin Kay Wheatland IA 4
87 . Neil Baggett Shannon MS 4
88 . Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga TN 4
89 . Ross Martin Talladega AL 4
90 . Skip Arp Georgetown TN 4
91 . Stevie Long 4
92 . Tanner English Benton KY 4
93 . Terry English Benton KY 4
94 . Tony Toste Arroyo Grande CA 4
95 . A.J. Diemel Navarino WI 3
96 . Austin Kirkpatrick Ocala FL 3
97 . Bobby Hogge IV Salinas CA 3
98 . Brandon Haley Lavonia GA 3
99 . Brent Dixon Elberton GA 3
100 . Chad Simpson Marion IA 3
101 . Chris Wilson Crossville TN 3
102 . Colby Springsteen Morning Sun IA 3
103 . David Brannon Elora TN 3
104 . Dustin Linville Bryantsville KY 3
105 . Forrest Gough 3
106 . Gene Knaub Dover PA 3
107 . Greg Oliver Jackson OH 3
108 . Greg Roberson Waynesboro VA 3
109 . Jake Knowles Tyrone GA 3
110 . Jamie Perry Ringgold GA 3
111 . Jeff Mathews Seffner 3
112 . Jeremy Payne Springfield MO 3
113 . Jesse Stovall Galena MO 3
114 . Jon Mitchell Nash TX 3
115 . Kyle Bridges Moultrie GA 3
116 . Michael Chilton Salvisa KY 3
117 . Russ Frohnapel Columbus OH 3
118 . Rusty Schlenk Jackson MI 3
119 . Steve Drake San Luis Obispo CA 3
120 . Terry Neal Ely IA 3
121 . Tom Maddox Centre AL 3
122 . Vance Wilson Bowling Green MO 3
123 . Zack Dohm Cross Lanes WV 3
124 . Adam Giles Moultrie GA 2
125 . B.J. Robinson Blanchard LA 2
126 . Brandon Cameron Jacksonville FL 2
127 . Brandon Dewitt Movern GA 2
128 . Brian Rickman Columbus MS 2
129 . Brian Ruhlman Clarklake MI 2
130 . Caleb Ashby Cunningham TN 2
131 . Cecil Eunice Jacksonville FL 2
132 . Cody Martin 2
133 . Daryn Klein 2
134 . David McCoy Franklin NC 2
135 . Delmas Conley Wheelersburg WV 2
136 . Derek Doll Greenwood WV 2
137 . Don Shaw Ham Lake MN 2
138 . Dona Marcoullier Houghton Lake MI 2
139 . Doug Drown Wooster OH 2
140 . Doug Horton Bruceton Mills WV 2
141 . Dusty Jones 2
142 . Dylan Yoder Selinsgrove PA 2
143 . Frank Heckenast Jr. Orland Park IL 2
144 . G.R. Smith 2
145 . Jack Nosbisch Jr. Riverview 2
146 . Jeff Decker Morgan Hill CA 2
147 . Jeff Rine Danville PA 2
148 . Jeff Smith Villanow GA 2
149 . Jimmy Sharpe 2
150 . Joey Leavell Waynesboro VA 2
151 . Johnny Cloer Jr. 2
152 . Josh Henry Newport TN 2
153 . Keith Barbara South Park PA 2
154 . Kenny Moreland Waldorf MD 2
155 . Kyle Berck Marquette NE 2
156 . Kyle Pierce Statesville NC 2
157 . Lavon Sparks Phenix City 2
158 . Mark Douglas Knoxville TN 2
159 . Mason Ziegler Chalk Hill PA 2
160 . Matt Furman Columbus OH 2
161 . Mike Hynes 2
162 . Montana Dudley 2
163 . Richard Frost 2
164 . Ricky Elliott Seaford DE 2
165 . Rodney Sanders Happy TX 2
166 . Russell Erwin Beaverdam VA 2
167 . Ryan Little Springfield IL 2
168 . Ryan Markham Ashland OH 2
169 . Ryan McDaniel Yuba City AZ 2
170 . Scott Schmitt Tonica IL 2
171 . Sean Merkel 2
172 . Shan Smith Dade City FL 2
173 . Shane Essary Galena MO 2
174 . Steve Sheppard Jr. New Berlin 2
175 . Steven Roberts Jesup GA 2
176 . Tim Roszell Anniston AL 2
177 . Timbo Mangum Lancaster SC 2
178 . Tod Darda 2
179 . Todd Morrow East Ridge TN 2
180 . Tony Jackson Jr. Lebanon MO 2
181 . Travis Carter Valdosta GA 2
182 . Tyler Carpenter Parkersburg WV 2
183 . Tyler Crowder 2
184 . Tyler Ivey Tallahassee FL 2
185 . Wendell Wallace  Batesville AR 2
186 . Zack Mitchell Enoree SC 2
187 . Aaron Ridley Chatsworth GA 1
188 . Adam Hensel Barron WI 1
189 . Adam Martin Talladega AL 1
190 . Alex Ferree Saxonburg PA 1
191 . Alex Humphrey Giltner 1
192 . Andrew Yoder 1
193 . Andy Bond Coolville OH 1
194 . Andy Picklesimer 1
195 . Ashley Newman Ripley TN 1
196 . Ben Faircloth Swainsboro GA 1
197 . Billy Flanagan Jr. 1
198 . Billy Hicks Mount Airy NC 1
199 . Billy Rushton Hodges SC 1
200 . Bob Adams Jr. 1
201 . Brad Looney Republic MO 1
202 . Brad Rachels 1
203 . Brad Skinner Spring Hill TN 1
204 . Brandon Morton Coweta OK 1
205 . Brandon Thirlby Traverse City MI 1
206 . Brett Ashley 1
207 . Brett Schadel 1
208 . Brian Jackson 1
209 . Brian Parker 1
210 . Butch McGill West Union 1
211 . Charley Hess Bartonville IL 1
212 . Chase Junghans Manhattan KS 1
213 . Chase Washington Greenville MS 1
214 . Chris Blackwell Grays Creek NC 1
215 . Chris Marcus 1
216 . Chris Simpson Marion IA 1
217 . Chris Smith Brewton AL 1
218 . Christian Joyner 1
219 . Chub Frank Sugar Grove PA 1
220 . Chuck Harper Beverley WV 1
221 . Chuck Schultz 1
222 . Clayton Miller Elkton KY 1
223 . Corey Conley Wellsburg WV 1
224 . Cory Dumpert 1
225 . D.J. Myers Greencastle PA 1
226 . Dalton Ragsdale 1
227 . Darrel DeFrance Marshalltown IA 1
228 . Delbert Smith Wichita 1
229 . Dennis Hale 1
230 . Denny Woodworth Mendon IL 1
231 . Derek Chandler Pontiac IL 1
232 . Derick York 1
233 . Donnie Chappell Jacksonville FL 1
234 . Drew Kennedy 1
235 . Dustin Mitchell Pine Level NC 1
236 . Dustin Neat Dunville KY 1
237 . Dustin Stutts 1
238 . Dwight Niehoff 1
239 . Evan Becton Valdosta GA 1
240 . Freddie Carpenter Parkersburg WV 1
241 . Fred Miller Avoca IA 1
242 . G.W. Hessong Edna TX 1
243 . Greg Estes 1
244 . Greg Johnson Bedford IN 1
245 . Harold Redman Jr. Tyler Mountain WV 1
246 . J.R. Moseley 1
247 . J.R. Rodriguez 1
248 . Jack Sullivan Greenbriar AR 1
249 . Jake Williams 1
250 . Jacob Hawkins Fairmount WV 1
251 . James Walker 1
252 . Jared Landers Batesville AR 1
253 . Jared Miley South Park PA 1
254 . Jason Jameson Lawrenceburg IN 1
255 . Jason O'Brien Atlantic IA 1
256 . Jay Morris Watsega 1
257 . Jay Sessoms Stanley NC 1
258 . Jay Stewart Blair NE 1
259 . Jeff Babcock Wayne OH 1
260 . Jeff Moss 1
261 . Jeff Smith Dallas NC 1
262 . Jeremy Hines Seymour IN 1
263 . Jim Johnson Plainview NE 1
264 . Jim Yoder Selinsgrove PA 1
265 . Jimmy Johnson Lavonia GA 1
266 . Joe Janowski Columbus IN 1
267 . Joel Callahan Dubuque IA 1
268 . Joey Tanner 1
269 . John Beck Springfield IL 1
270 . John Gill Mitchell IN 1
271 . John Kellum Jacksonville FL 1
272 . John Mollick 1
273 . Johnny Stokes Columbus MS 1
274 . Josh Leonard Gibbon NE 1
275 . Josh Putnam Killen AL 1
276 . Josh Southerland Adel GA 1
277 . Justin Asplin Birch Tree MO 1
278 . Justin Litchford 1
279 . Justin Williams Shipman VA 1
280 . Keith Craft Arkadelphia AR 1
281 . Kelly Walker 1
282 . Kenny Compton Jr. Bland VA 1
283 . Kevin Migura Victoria TX 1
284 . Kevin Reeve 1
285 . Kyle Beard Trumann AR 1
286 . Kyle Lee 1
287 . L.C. Powers 1
288 . Larry Damitz 1
289 . Larry White 1
290 . Marcus Caswell 1
291 . Marty O'Neal Martinsville IN 1
292 . Matt Bailey Quincy IL 1
293 . Matt Dooley 1
294 . Matt Ryan Davenport IA 1
295 . McKay Wenger Fairbury IL 1
296 . Michael Lloyd 1
297 . Michael Vandereit Jr. Mexico MO 1
298 . Mike Benedum Bristol PA 1
299 . Mike Knight Ripley NY 1
300 . Mike Schulte Summerfield IL 1
301 . Nick Bartels El Segundo CA 1
302 . Nick Dickson Lewiston PA 1
303 . Nick Latham 1
304 . Nick Marolf Moscow IA 1
305 . Oakley Johns 1
306 . Phillip Pittman Vidalia GA 1
307 . R.J. Conley Wheelersburg OH 1
308 . Randy Christine Jr. 1
309 . Randy Stoudt Pottstown PA 1
310 . Ray Guss Jr.  Milan IL 1
311 . Ray Trimble 1
312 . Rhett Carter Blackshear GA 1
313 . Rick Ortega 1
314 . Ricky Weeks Rutherfordton NC 1
315 . Rob Blair Titusville PA 1
316 . Rob Litton Alexandria LA 1
317 . Rob Mayea Medford OR 1
318 . Robbie Emory Milton DE 1
319 . Robbie Starnes Baytown TX 1
320 . Russ King Bristol OH 1
321 . Russell King Bristol OH 1
322 . Ryan Missler Bellevue OH 1
323 . Scott Cook Shelbyville TN 1
324 . Scott Shirey Gaston SC 1
325 . Shane Fulcher 1
326 . Shannon Thornsberry Martin KY 1
327 . Shaun Mayea Bend OR 1
328 . Shawn Chastain Murphy NC 1
329 . Stacy Boles Claxton TN 1
330 . Steve Billet 1
331 . Steve Campbell Danville PA 1
332 . Steve Landrum 1
333 . Stevie Jones 1
334 . Tad Pospisil Norfolk NE 1
335 . Terrance Nowell Phenix City 1
336 . Tim Busha Boaz AL 1
337 . Tim Wilson 1
338 . Todd Cooney Des Moines IA 1
339 . Torin Mettille Cullom IL 1
340 . Travis Ashley Batesville AR 1
341 . Travis Brookover 1
342 . Travis Dickes Madison NE 1
343 . Tyler Erb Magnolia TX 1
344 . Vic Coffey Caledonia NY 1
345 . Wendall Bolden Greenville TX 1
346 . Wesley Bonebrake 1
347 . Will Vaught Crane MO 1
348 . Willie Allen 1
349 . Zac Simmons Fort Scott KS 1

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