Paducah, KY- June 22, 2011- Paducah International Raceway is proud to announce that this year’s annual stop for the UMP Summer nationals tour, coming to PIR July 1st, will be the Chris Smith Memorial race. The race paying $12,000 to win is not only the highest paying race on the tour but also the highest paying race in the storied history of the high banked 3/8 mile oval. The UMP Summer nationals tour is a grueling trek through the Midwest of 25 races in 32 days with some of the best drivers in the country following the tour. Jason Fegers was last year’s Summer national Champion and has committed to running the entire schedule this year. Billy Moyer was the Paducah International Raceway winner last year.
Chris Smith was a local car owner for many years. He was car owner for the famed PIR racer Gary Keeling and was also sponsor for many years of the Hall of Fame driver Freddy Smith. Chris was also a great benefactor of the Paducah International Raceway and loved attending races there. Chris was struck down with Leukemia several years ago and lost his battle with the disease in 2009. Chris’ family will be in attendance as well as a large group of friends.
Drivers expected to be in attendance as part of this race are Billy Moyer, Billy Moyer Jr., Tri-State winner at PIR, Brian Shirley, Shannon Babb, Will Vaught, Todd Hall, Jeep Van Wormer, Dennis Erb, Frank Heckenast, Jim Moon, Donny Walden, Bobby Pierce, Brandon Sheppard, Ryan Unzicker, Randy Korte, Kevin Weaver, Ronnie Lee Hollingsworth, Jack Sullivan, Wendall Wallace, Gary Christian, Rodney Melvin, Kent Robinson and many others.They will be battling our superb local contingent of Dylan Thompson, Kevin Cole, Tim Brown, Jason McBride, Jeff Walston Randy Sellars, Terry English, Tanner English, Jarryd Holshouser, Tony Vancil, Chris Shelton, Lee Thomasson, Jason Riggs and others.
Also on the racing card will be the UMP Summit Nationals for the UMP Modifieds. This is a new series run in conjunction with the UMP Summer nationals and will bring many new drivers to PIR trying to win the first ever title of UMP Summit Nationals Champion. The best Modified drivers in the country are expected to be at PIR to try to outrun our very talented local contingent of Justin Houston, Rod Reed, Jeff Elliot, Jeff McGuinns, Ron Wall, Todd Miller, J.R. Mason, Steve Ladd, Dustin Ladd, Randle Sweeney, Clayton Miller, Justin Story, Michael Atkins and many more.
Rounding out the racing card will be the UMP Pro Late Models, and the UMP Street Stocks.
Pit Gates will open at 4:00, Grandstands at 5:00, Hot laps at 6:30, Qualifying at 7:00 Racing at 7:30
Grandstand admission will be $25 for Adults, children 12 and under $5. Pit Passes $35
Another event on the agenda for Friday, July 1st, is the huge fireworks spectacular sponsored by WPSD-TV Local 6 which will cater to all ages.
Other events on the schedule for the month of July include the Feezor Restoration Street Stock Special July 15th, Harrah’s Metropolis Casino Hotel Night July 22nd.
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For more information, please call PIR at 270-898-7469 or the Hotline at 270-898-7490. Visit PIR online at www.paducahracing.com