Track-by-track details of upcoming Speedweeks
February 1, 2011, 2:37 pm
From staff reportsGeorgia-Florida Speedweeks
Date, track, location, winning purse (sanction)
Feb. 3, Screven Motor Speedway, Sylvania, Ga., $10,000 (unsanctioned)
Feb. 4, Golden Isles Speedway, Brunswick, Ga., $10,000 (unsanctioned)
Feb. 5, Golden Isles Speedway, Brunswick, Ga., $10,000 (unsanctioned)
Feb. 7, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $5,000 (Lucas Oil)
Feb. 8, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $5,000 (Lucas Oil)
Feb. 9, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $5,000 (Lucas Oil)
Feb. 10, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $10,000 (Lucas Oil)
Feb. 11, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $10,000 (Lucas Oil)
Feb. 12, East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton, Fla., $12,000 (Lucas Oil)
Feb. 13, Ocala Speedway, Ocala, Fla., $8,000 (UMP/O'Reilly All Stars)
Feb. 14, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $7,000 (UMP)
Feb. 15, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $7,000 (UMP)
Feb. 16, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $7,000 (UMP)
Feb. 17, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $10,000 (World of Outlaws)
Feb. 18, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $10,000 (UMP)
Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $10,000 (World of Outlaws)
Feb. 18, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $10,000 (UMP)
Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla., $10,000 (World of Outlaws)
Screven Motor Speedway
Event: Inaugural Winter Freeze
Date: Thursday, Feb. 3
Times: Gates open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6 and racing at 7:30
Tickets: Adult general admission $25 (12-and-under free); pit pass $35 (12-and-under $20)
Track size: 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval
Promoter: James "Redd" Griffin
Location: State Route 21 between Sylvania and Newington, Ga.
Sanction: None
Purse: $35,000 total with $10,000 to the winner ($1,500 for fifth, $1,000 for 10th and at least $500 to every starter)
Practice date: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2
Late Model track record: 13.906 seconds set by Dennis Franklin on April 3, 2009
Other division in action: O'Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions sprint cars ($10,000-to-win event).
Track history: Screven, on the same property of Savannah River Dragway, began operations in 1997 and evolved from a flatter circuit to a smaller, higher-banked track. It first began hosting sanctioned events in 2005.
Last Speedweeks event: First Speedweeks event
10 years ago: Didn't participate in Speedweeks
Odds and ends: The event is the first at Screven to be part of Georgia-Florida Speedweeks. ... It's the only event with Super Late Models and sprints on the same card. ... The track's name comes from its host county. ... Any Late Model tires will be allowed. ... Winners of major Super Late Models events in 2010 at Screven were Austin Hubbard (World of Outlaws), Chesley Dixon (Southern All Stars) and Casey Roberts (Southern Nationals and Clash South). ... The forecast calls for cool temperatures, but the track plans to keep fans warm with heaters under the bleachers. ... The track is renowned for an impressive variety of food at concession stands, and $5 dinner plates (including two sides and a roll) are highlighted by lasagna, pot roast, spaghetti, fried chicken, grilled pork chops, baby back ribs, fried flounder and more.
Track website: www.screvenmotorspeedway.com
Track phones: (912) 228-5886 or (912) 857-4884
Golden Isles Speedway
Event: Super Bowl of Racing VII
Dates: Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4-5
Times: Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6 and racing at 7
Tickets: Adult general admission $30 ($35 reserved); trackside parking $40 per ticket and $20 per parking spot; pit pass $40.
Track size: 4/10-mile banked clay oval
Promoter: Frankie Lloyd
Location: U.S. 82, 12 miles west of I-95 in Waynesville, Ga.
Sanction: None
Purse: $35,000 total with $10,000 to the winner ($1,500 for fifth, $1,000 for 10th and at least $500 to every starter)
Practice date: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3
Late Model track record: 15.059 seconds set by Ronny Lee Hollingsworth on Jan. 31, 2009
Other division in action: Limited Sportsman
Track history: Built by S.O. Jenkins and first opened in 1970, the track was originally a 5/8-mile oval and prepared as oil-packed clay for many years. The surface was changed to conventional clay in 2005, then shortened to its 4/10-mile configuration before 2008 under Lloyd's ownership.
Last Speedweeks event: In 2010, weekend winners were Scott Bloomquist, Josh Richards and Austin Hubbard, who did his best Ricky Bobby impersonation in victory lane.
10 years ago: After going winless on the UDTRA tour in 2000, Hall of Famer Freddy Smith opened the season with a Feb. 3, 2001, victory at Golden Isles, outrunning Duke Whiseant and Donnie Moran. The weekend's other feature was rained out.
Odds and ends: The Limited Late Models of the National Late Model Series have been at Golden Isles in recent seasons, but they're off this year's scheduled. ... Every Speedweeks event except won has been won by a Bloomquist Race Car or Rocket Chassis since the track was shortened to 4/10-mile before 2008. Earl Pearson Jr. won in a MasterSbilt on Jan. 28, 2008. ... The event is unsanctioned after being sanctioned by the Southern All Stars in previous years, but former SAS race director Kelley Carlton's crew is officiating.
Track website: www.goldenislesspeedway.com
Track phone: (912) 778-3767
East Bay Raceway Park
Event: 35th annual Dart Winternationals presented by Magnaflow Performance Products
Dates: Monday-Saturday, Feb. 7-12
Times: Hot laps at 5 p.m. nightly
Tickets: Adult general and reserved admission $35 (Monday-Wednesday) and $40 (Thursday-Saturday); pit pass $40 (Monday-Wednesday) and $45 (Thursday-Saturday)
Track size: Third-mile banked clay oval
Promoters: Al Varnadore and Todd Hutto
Location: Off Old U.S. 41 south of Tampa, Fla. near Gibsonton
Sanction: Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Purses: $5,000-to-win first three nights ($1,000 for fifth, $600 for 10th and $500 to start); $10,000-to-win on Thursday and Friday ($2,000 for fifth, $1,100 for 10th and $700 to start); and $12,000-to-win on Saturday ($2,000 for fifth, $1,100 for 10th and $1,000 to start)
Practice date: 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6
Late Model track record: 14.022 seconds set by Chris Wall on Feb. 6, 2010
Other divisions in action: None
Track history: Opening in 1977, East Bay has established itself has a Speedweeks regular with 35 years of Winternationals action, including Super Late Models.
Last Speedweeks events: In 2010, two-time Lucas Oil champ Scott Bloomquist won two features while Don O'Neal captured the week's finale. Other winners: Mike Marlar, Billy Moyer and Earl Pearson Jr.
10 years ago: O'Neal won the first two of six nights, while Steve Shaver captured the finale. Other winners: Moyer, Davey Johnson and Jackie Boggs
Odds and ends: The first three nights are non-points events while the final three events are combined to be worth a single points night of regular-season event. ... Billy Moyer is the all-time winningest Winternationals driver with 20 victories, but he's tentatively scheduled to enter only the final three events. ... Dennis Erb Jr. is a two-time and reigning Winternationals champion. ... For the second year in a row, drivers must use the same four tires in time trials and their heat race. ... The 2011 season marks the first full year the Lucas Oil Series requires drivers to wear head-and-neck restraints.
Track website: www.eastbayracewaypark.com
Track phone: (877) 457-5611 or (813) 677-7223
Ocala Speedway
Event: Battle Between the Coasts
Date: Sunday, Feb. 13
Time: Gates open 4 p.m. with racing at 7
Tickets: Adult general admission $25 ($12 for children 5-16; 4-and-under free); pit pass $35
Track size: 3/8-mile D-shaped clay circuit
Promoter: Billy Ausburn
Location: Six miles northwest of Ocala on County Route 25-A.
Sanction: UMP DIRTcar Racing and O'Reilly All Star Late Models
Purse: $8,000-to win ($1,500 for fifth, $1,000 for 10th and $400 to start)
Practice date: None for Late Models, but the track is open for sprint car practice Feb. 3
Late Model track record: 15.399 seconds set by Ivedent Lloyd Jr. on March 19, 2010 (unofficial)
Other division in action: V-8 thunderstocks
Track history: The oldest racetrack in Florida, it began operations in 1952 and has run under several names, including Lightning Speedway. After 45 years of dirt the track was paved for 10 seasons before returning to dirt in 2008.
Last Speedweeks event: In 1993, Ocala hosted a Hav-A-Tampa/Southern All Stars event captured by Ronnie Johnson.
10 years ago: No Speedweeks event
Odds and ends: Ocala faces the challenge of attracting drivers to compete on what's traditionally been a Sunday off between racing at East Bay and Volusia. ... The promoter, Billy Ausburn, is the race director at Ocala and flagged at Volusia for 13 seasons. ... Many World of Outlaws Late Model Series drivers will likely want to get laps on a track that the tour visits March 25.
Track website: www.ocalaspeedway.com
Track phone: (352) 622-9400
Volusia Speedway Park
Event: 40th annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH
Dates: Monday-Saturday, Feb. 14-19
Times: Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6 and racing at 7:30
Tickets: Adult general admission $35 and children 11-15 for $18 (Monday-Wednesday); adult general admission $39 and children 11-15 for $20 (Thursday-Saturday); reserved seats are $2 day of show; pit pass $35 nightly
Track size: Half-mile D-shaped clay circuit
Promoter: World Racing Group
Location: 15 miles west of I-95 on State Route 40 near Barberville, Fla.
Sanction: UMP DIRTcar Racing (Monday-Wednesday, Friday) and World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Thursday and Saturday)
Purses: $7,000-to-win on Monday through Wednesday ($1,200 for fifth, $600 for 10th and $500 to start); $10,000-to-win on Friday ($1,500 for fifth, $700 for 10th and $500 to start); $10,000-to-win on Thursday and Saturday ($2,000 for fifth, $1,100 for 10th and $700 to start)
Practice date: None
Late Model track record: 15.932 seconds set by Josh Richards on Feb. 10, 2009 (unofficial)
Other divisions in action: UMP DIRTcar modifieds (Monday and Tuesday); Super DIRTcar Series big-block modifieds (Wednesday-Saturday)
Track history: Originally built by Benny Corbin in 1968, the winter Late Model racing began in 1972 and has continued on various tracks. The half-mile oval was paved between '89 and '97, and dirt racing was held on the 3/8-mile oval (behind turn four of the big track) from '93-'97. The half-mile returned to dirt in '98.
Last Speedweeks events: Four features were held in 2010 (two were rained out) with Darrell Lanigan, Shannon Babb, Josh Richards and Brady Smith capturing victories.
10 years ago: Rick Eckert won two of six features in 2001; other feature winners were Chub Frank, Donnie Moran, Davey Johnson and Matt Miller, who won the finale for his first career UDTRA-sanctioned victory.
Odds and ends: Josh Richards will try to win his fifth straight WoO season opener. ... Volusia has added the Bulrush Dash at the conclusion of each night's racing. The dash will be a 12-lap, 15-car event for the top five drivers from each of three consolation races who failed to make the main event. The $2,300 purse pays $300-to-win and $100-to-start. ... Tonya Moschell, who served as VSP's general manager the past three seasons, left the track last week with plans to continue her education before pursuing a job in health care. ... Gary Risch Jr. of Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., another World Racing Group-owned track, will be among officials overseeing February's racing at Volusia. ... Among WoO rookies expected at Volusia: Brian Reese of Sharpsburg, Ga.; John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y.; and Ron Davies of Warren, Pa. ... Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., who won a Speedweeks event at Volusia's 3/8-mile oval in 1996, is planning to travel to Volusia with fellow Wisconsin driver Jimmy Mars, who is making his first Volusia appearance since '07.
Track website: www.volusiaspeedwaypark.net
Track phone: (386) 985-4402