The sun is shining, temperatures will be in the 70's and there is no rain in sight for the entire weekend! What a change from what race fans in our area have endured the last two weeks. The fact that we are now in the third weekend in April also means that there are several more events to choose from so take a peek at our Specials Calendar or the weekly show menu and pick out your destination for one, two or even three nights of racing this weekend! One item to note is that the race night listed for Saturday April 16th at the Bloomfield Speedway has been moved to next Saturday the 23rd due to some construction work that is being completed at the track.
I will be headed for the Davenport Speedway tonight for the Midwest Sanction Showdown featuring the MARS and Cornbelt Clash Late Models along with the Modifieds and Street Stocks all racing on the historic half-mile. Yes, I would prefer to see the open Late Models on the quarter-mile but I will get that chance in just a few short weeks when the MLRA comes to Davenport on Friday May 6th. The big track at Davenport will serve as a nice contrast though for my Saturday stop when the Late Models go to 34 Raceway near Burlington for the 8th Annual Slocum 50, an event that honors the late Brent Slocum. Last year's event is remembered for the final lap pass that Ryan Unzicker made on Billy Moyer to take the win, but forgotten is the fact that threatening weather throughout the night somehow, for some reason, missed 34 Raceway. With this year's weather forecast, someone from above can just sit back, relax and enjoy the action.
Brad Stevens, Jessi Mynatt and all of their High Five Racing friends do an astounding job of lining up sponsors and promoting the Slocum 50 plus they have a great working relationship with the promotional team at 34 Raceway. There is no doubt that this event just keeps getting bigger every year and you can bet that they will always be looking for new ways to continue the growth. After all, that was the spirit that their good friend Brent Slocum showed both at and away from the race track.
Big debate going on right now on the Iowastockcars forum on whether or not Ricky Thornton Jr. is running a Crate motor during his recent win streak and even though you will see a post from me it was just to show one of Barry's pictures of Thornton's car from Wednesday night at Osky. Obviously this means a lot to some people, but I could really care less.
With Thornton flying the colors for Victory chassis it looks like we might have a four way battle for the 2016 All Iowa Points Modified title between drivers who are either directly engaged, or closely aligned with a chassis manufacturer. Kyle Brown (Harris) is the early leader and finished third in last year's standings, Kelly Shryock (Skyrocket) currently ranks second and was the runner-up in the final 2015 points and two-time defending champion Chris Abelson (Razor) has yet to come out of the blocks for 2016. It will be interesting to see if any driver who doesn't have "the keys to the shop" can break into the top four this year.
Originally I was trying to make a decision as to where I would go this Sunday between a couple of matinee's that would include at least a three hour road trip. The Annual Spring Classic at the Rockford Speedway featuring the Big 8 Late Model series would have been a good way to continue my renewed interest in pavement racing, but I found that it was losing out to the MLRA Late Model and ASCS Warrior Region doubleheader at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. Both are afternoon shows and despite the long drive I would have been home at a decent hour. However, due to the fact that my lovely niece is having her first communion at the eleven o'clock mass on Sunday her Godfather will have to take a pass on both. Instead I think that I will head on up to the season opener at the Dubuque Speedway where four divisions will take to the entertaining high-banked oval.
Have to take advantage of the great weather and pull off the triple dip as there will be several weekends this season where I will not get to see even one night of racing due to other commitments.
The updated National Late Model Points follow. Enjoy your racing weekend!
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