The biggest week of the year for Super Dirt Late Models takes shape in Illinois next week. 3 big shows at 3 different race tracks with the two biggest sanctioning bodies in country unfold next week at Macon, Quincy, and Fairbury. The biggest names in the sport will be in the area for the first time I can remember in a long time taking on the baddest regional drivers in the country.
Tuesday Macon Speedway will hold a 100 lap feature paying $12,000 to win on the ¼ mile. The event is sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series. Mooresburg, Tennesse driver Scott Bloomquist is the current point leader and will have to take on not only his series regulars which consist of Jonathan Davenport, Jared Landers, Brandon Sheppard, Tim McCreadie, Dennis Erb Jr., Don O’Neal, Darrell Lanigan, Jimmy Owens, and Earl Pearson some of the best in the country but also have to deal with the real heavy weights of Illinois which are Bobby Pierce, Brian Shirley, Jason Feger, and Shannon Babb to name a few. This is the 3rd Annual U-Pic-A-Part sponsored event the first two were won by Bobby Pierce and last year Jimmy Owens took home the honors. Bob Sargent is the promoter, one of the best in the business. You can expect a well prepared race track and just a great show.
Thursday July 28th, The Craftsman World of Outlaws take the stage at Quincy Raceways. The event will feature some of the best late models in the country including Josh Richards, Shane Clanton, Rick Eckert, and Brian Shirley. The 40 lap feature event will pay $8,000 to win and also feature the MOWA Sprint Cars. Ken Dobson and is staff has made a ton of improvements at Quincy and should have a great crowd on hand for the event.
The Weekend July 29-30 is the biggest late model race in Illinois and takes place in Fairbury, Illinois. The Prairie Dirt Classic will be ready to rock and I would not be surprised if campers are already there now. The place not only will be packed full of hot rods but the most passionate race fans in the country. You can expect between 65-70 late models on hand trying to take home the $27,000 check, and the undercard the UMP Modifieds will be battling for a $5,000 to win race plus a $2,000 to win make up modified feature the night before. If you have ever been to the race you are there, and if you have not you need to go. The heat races on Friday night for the Super Late Models some of the most intense racing I have ever seen, plus they also have a special 25 lap feature event called the FALS Showdown paying $5000 to win. Saturday still plenty of preliminary action on hand leading up to the Prairie Dirt Classic Feature. The last two years the features have been the best races I have seen all year, I don’t know how they can top the last two but I am sure Matt Curl and his staff have something up their sleeves. Two years ago Tim McCreadie and Jimmy Owens put on one of the best races I have ever seen, and last year watching Davenport and Erb go at it over the last 5 laps was over the top.