WICHITA, Kan. (June 14) – Sometimes when fate closes a door, it also opens a window. Such was the case two weeks ago for the United States Modified Touring Series.
When the Great American Dirt Track in Jetmore, Kan., was forced to cancel the remainder of the 2013 season recently, it left a void in the USMTS Casey’s Cup Series schedule on Thursday, June 20—the first of four straight nights of racing in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma.
Enter promoter C. Ray Hall and the 81 Speedway, where the USMTS Modifieds last visited in 2008.
“We put in calls to about three or four tracks regarding the June 20 date, but there aren’t too many promoters who have the resources to plug in a new date on their schedule at the last minute,” said USMTS President Todd Staley. “81 Speedway is different though. C. Ray has been in the business a long time and understands what it takes to put on a good show. He’s got an established track and a loyal fan base, so we’re both confident the fans and drivers will come out and support this show just like last time.”
When the USMTS last visited the 81 Speedway on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, the largest crowd ever for a one-day USMTS event was on hand to watch Jason Hughes of Watts, Okla., pull off the win against a field of 59 competitors.
Although he led every lap of the 35-lapper, Hughes was shadowed throughout the event by Zack VanderBeek, then by five-time NCRA Modified Series champ Brian Franz, and then again by VanderBeek in the closing laps.
Built in 1954 on the outskirts of Wichita, the racetrack opened as Robbins Speedway and was a half-mile dirt oval. The speedway was sold in 1958 to Wichita businessman O.L. Douglas who changed the name to 81 Speedway.
Douglas kept the half-mile oval operating on Sunday nights for five years, then sold the speedway to Bill Hall. In 1971, he turned the daily operation of the speedway over to his son, Charles Ray Hall, known to most people as C. Ray.
C. Ray Hall is enjoying his 42nd year as the head man in charge of daily operations, and also manages the day-to-day happenings for his National Championship Racing Association (NCRA).
On Thursday, June 20, fans can expect to see the hottest open-wheel dirt Modified drivers in the nation circling the semi-banked 3/8-mile clay oval, including defending event winner Hughes and current USMTS Arbor Masters Central Region points leader Jeremy Payne of Springfield, Mo.
Other USMTS drivers expected for this event include twin brothers Stormy Scott and Johnny Scott of Las Cruces, N.M.; two-time defending USMTS national champion Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa; nine-time USMTS national champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa; Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon, Iowa; Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas; Dereck Ramirez of Woodward, Okla.; 14-year-old rookie sensation Trevor Hunt of Kearney, Mo.; Canadian teammates Joey Galloway and Masen Big Eagle; Sooner State speedsters Thomas Tillison Jr. and Joe Duvall; area legend Rick Beebe of Shawnee and many more.
A tough contingent of local and regional aces will also have their eye on the $2,000 top prize, including current track and NCRA Modified Series points leader Marc Hurd, Dan Powers, Jason McGehee, Josh Lanterman, Kirby Robe, Tyler Davis, Joe Adams, Don Hodge, Brandon Miller and multi-time NCRA Modified Series champ Brian Franz
Gates will open at 5:30 with hot laps slated for 6:30 and racing at 7:30. Tickets are just $15 for spectators ages 11 and up, $5 for kids ages 6-10 and free for children under 6 years of age. Pit passes are $30.
The 81 Speedway is located north of Wichita on I-135 to exit 16, then 0.7 mile west on 77th St., and features Musco Sports Lighting and free camping (no hook-ups). For race day information, call the track hotline at (316) 755-1781 or visit www.81speedway.org online.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit www.usmts.com online or call 515-832-7944. You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usmts, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/usmts or check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/USMTSTV.
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