Bristol Motor Speedway
Notes: Curley ready for first big Lowe's weekend
From track, series and staff reports
CONCORD, N.C. — Seamus Curley has been involved in short-track racing for years, but he'll have his coming out party for Dirt Late Model fans during the Outlaws World Finals on Halloween weekend. The short-track manager at Lowe's Motor Speedway will be on point for his first major races at the Dirt Track at Lowe's as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series wraps up its season in a special event that sees the WoO sprint cars in action, too.
Curley, the 2005 recipient of the Ken Squier Award, recognizing excellence in commitment and service to the racing community, joined the Lowe's Motor Speedway staff in April with more than a dozen years of experience in short-track racing operations under his belt. He replaces former dirt track manager Roger Slack.
Curley, a native of Essex Junction, Vt., began learning the promotional ropes at an early age from his father, Tom Curley. The elder Curley is a legendary motorsports promoter and former recipient of the Racing Promotion Monthly Promoter of the Year award. Curley spent years working with his father at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and on the American-Canadian Tour. He did a little bit of everything, from serving as property manager to working as an official.
"Being involved in racing from the get-go ingrained a deep passion for short-track racing in me," said the 33-year-old Curley. "I can remember watching my dad when I was 4 or 5 years old. He was always very hands on and paid attention to the details. I learned a lot from working with him over the years.
"I started out during high school as seasonal help and worked on different projects. I got really involved in my mid-20s and worked as the property manager. I also served as a race official and worked my way up to eventually directing races at Thunder Road in 2005. In all my years working at the track I always had a headset on, so I'd absorbed a lot from listening to my dad over the years and was able to apply a lot of that knowledge."
In addition to his experience with track operations, Curley has also taken a turn as a competitor. He previously raced in the street stock division and was the 2003 Junk Yard Warriors track champion at Thunder Road Speedbowl.
"I had a short racing career," Curley said. "I think that gives me a better understanding of the competitor's perspective when I'm up in the tower calling races." — Scott Cooper
CEDAR LAKE MOVES 2009 USA NATIONALS UP ONE WEEK: A schedule shuffle among dirt tracks hosting major Dirt Late Model events resulted in Cedar Lake Speedway moving up its 22nd annual USA Nationals a week earlier than initially announced. The event is scheduled for July 30-Aug. 1 at the New Richmond, Wis., track and any fans who have purchased tickets or reserved camping spots don't have to make any changes if they still with to attend the $50,000-to-win event, originally scheduled for the following weekend. A change in the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule rippled down to dirt track racing schedules and forced the change to the event wouldn't conflict with the North-South 100 at Florence (Ky.) Speedway, said Cedar Lake's Bob Kaufman. — From track reports
GREEN VALLEY SCHEDULES NOVEMBER SPECIAL: Green Valley Speedway in Glencoe, Ala., has scheduled a pair of $2,500-to-win Super Late Model events for Nov. 21-22. The inaugural Super Late Model Series Championship guarantees provisional starting spots in each of the 29-car feature events for one driver from each of these series: O'Reilly Southern All Stars, Mississippi State Championship Challenge, Southern Regional Racing Series, Arkansas Motorsports Professionals, Advanced Auto Parts Thunder Series, Carolina Clash and O'Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass. Any Super Late Model driver, whether series competitors or not, are welcome at the event, which carries a $30,000 purse for the weekend. Two other Late Model divisions, Crates and Limiteds, will also be in action. — From track reports
MORAN LOOKING FOR RIDE: Hall of Famer and four-time World 100 winner Donnie Moran of Dresden, Ohio, plans to sell his racing team and seek a new ride for the 2009 season. "I am not quitting or retiring," said the 46-year-old Moran, who is wrapping up his 30th year of racing. "I still have the desire to compete and win and I would like to do it driving for someone else." Moran, a long-time regular on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series before dropping off the tour because of high fuel costs, would like to rejoin the series if possible. Moran won three special events in 2008, including a $10,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory on July 26 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio. — James Essex
LEE COUNTY EXPANDS LATE MODEL SCHEDULE FOR 2009: Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, plans to expand its Late Model schedule in 2009 with 11 races for IMCA Late Models in 2009. The Friday-night track plans to run $1,000-to-win features and an additional $1,000 to the track champion. The Terry Hoenig-promoted track has also instituted the "Drive for Five" bonus for its September event for the IMCA-sanctioned Deery Brothers Summer Series. Any Lee County driver that competes in at least 10 weekly Late Model events and can win the $2,000-to-win Deery Brothers feature will earn a $3,000 bonus. — Jake Croxton
ODDS AND ENDS: Thunderhill Raceway's $10,000-to-win Super Late Model race scheduled for Oct. 24-25 was rained out. No makeup date has been announced. ... Pike County Speedway in Magnolia, Miss., has scaled back its Jambalaya 100 to a $3,000-to-win event for Super Late Models, down from $30,000 last year. ... Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., has scheduled the Georgia State Outlaw Championship for Nov. 8, featuring a $2,500-to-win feature for Super Late Models. ... See DirtonDirt.com's November schedule of other special events.
