Oakshade Raceway
UMP Summernationals almanac: Saturday, July 12
By Todd Turner
DirtonDirt.com chief writerSeries: 20th of 26 originally scheduled races
Venue: Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio, a long-time UMP weekly oval that has hosted the Summernationals finale each of the last eight years.
Race details: Besides UMP Late Models running for $10,000 to win, bombers and hornets are also in action. Adult general admission is $12 (and pit passes just $20); races start at 7:45 p.m.
Weather forecast: Showers and thunderstorms likely (70 percent) afternoon, some severe with damaging winds and heavy rain, high near 85; showers and thunderstorms likely overnight, some severe with damaging winds and heavy rain, mostly cloudy with overnight lows around 63.
Who's Hot: Kevin Claycomb, who finished no worse than seventh in his last four series starts (a stretch interrupted by a Florida vacation).
Who's Not: Randy Korte, who hasn't finished better than eighth in his last six starts, with the notable exception of his victory at Quad City Raceway.
Around the Pits: No driver has won three series events at Oakshade, but Billy Moyer and Shannon Babb have two victories apiece. ... Among the title contenders, Dennis Erb Jr. is winless at Oakshade in Summernationals competition while Shirley earned $10,000 for his 2005 victory, his richest career victory at the time. ... Last year's race ran until the wee hours after rain and difficult track conditions delayed the racing. Erb, Mike Marlar and Don O'Neal were among drivers who loaded up and left rather than race until nearly 3 a.m. O'Neal was the only driver who could've overtaken Erb in series points. ... Oakshade's prices are renowned as among the least expensive in the country with its $20 pit pass half what some tracks charges for the Summernationals. In addition, the track is lowering its prices for the race on coffee (50 cents) and popcorn (50 cents).
This Date in History: On July 12, 2003, Brian Birkhofer won the only Summernationals event ever held at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.
Trivia: How many drivers among 28 starters were disqualified for weighing less than the 2,300-pound minimum following the 1996 Summernationals event at the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna, Minn.? As a bonus, who was the highest-finishing driver in that Gopher 50 disqualified, and where did he finish? (Previous answer: In 1997, a record 15 different drivers won the 20 series events).
Coming up: No more points events, but among the Summernationals makeup races later this summer are Aug. 15-16 races at Morgan County Speedway in Jacksonville, Ill., and Macon (Ill.) Speedway.
