National notebook
Notes: 12-inch spoilers unwelcome at Columbus
Chris Wall's 12-inch spoiler broke off during last year's Magnolia State 100. (DirtonDirt.com)
Spoiler debates won't spoil this year's Magnolia State 100.
Promoter Dewitt Singleton, making a rule change in conjunction with promoters of other big-purse Mississippi races, will require drivers to use standard 8-inch rear spoilers for the 21st annual Magnolia State 100, scheduled for Sept. 24-25 at Columbus Speedway.
That ends the tradition of allowing competitors using lower-powered spec engines — budget powerplants popularized in the '90s to help keep regional Late Model racing alive in the deep South — to use 12-inch spoilers that's part of an aerodynamic spec-engine package that includes a 100-weight break.
Singleton said several factors were part of the decision, but perhaps foremost is the reputation that open-competition engine drivers had a hard time competing with the best spec-engine because of the extra downforce provided by the taller spoiler.
"We were losing some of the bigger boys, some of the name guys wouldn't come because of it," Singleton said of the $25,000-to-win race that typically draws more than 70 race cars. "Personally, I think it'll be something that helps racing down here as far as drawing cars from other parts of the country. A lot of the other guys from the north, they'd heard about (cars with taller spoilers), and they don't want to run against 'em."
The non-standard body rules have become more controversial in recent years with seven-time race winner Billy Moyer, Clint Smith and Chris Madden among the most outspoken critics. Only twice have spec-engine package cars won the event — Chris Wall of Springfield, La., in both 2005 and '08 — but on a drier racing surface, conventional wisdom says the better downforce is a bigger benefit than more horsepower at the third-mile oval.
"That spoiler on that track makes a world of difference if the track dries a little bit," Singleton said.
Besides drawing big-name competitors, Singleton listed other reasons for the rule change: the escalating prices of spec engines and confusion among fans about why some cars look different.
Drivers using spec engines still receive a 100-pound weight break and must weigh 2,150 pounds at the conclusion of the 100-lap feature (it's 2,250 for open-competition engines).
This weekend's race at Columbus, the state's richest Dirt Late Model event, isn't the only Mississippi race outlawing the 12-inch spoiler. The Oct. 22-23 Fall Classic at Whynot Motorsports Park near Meridian, Miss., promoted by Charles and Jannie Thrash, and the Oct. 29-30 Cotton Pickin' 100 at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, promoted by Johnny Stokes, have also made the change.
Singleton said several drivers have told him their Magnolia State 100 pre-entry was based on the rule change, while he hasn't heard any complaints from spec-engine drivers.
"I don't think it's going to stop anybody from coming," said Singleton, adding there are 84 drivers pre-entered. "Some of them might find out they run faster without the big spoiler, because it's a fast racetrack." — Todd Turner
LONG-TIME STATELINE SPEEDWAY OWNER DIES: Francis "Fritz" Seamens, a former racer who bought Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y., when his division was eliminated and promoted the track 26 seasons, died Sept. 17. The popular promoter, who often started many more than the standard 24 cars in special Late Model events, was 63. The U.S. Army veteran operated Seamens Auto Wrecking and purchased Stateline Speedway in 1984. He also owned and operated Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., for many years, selling it in 2006. Rich Gardner, a long-time racer on the Stateline-Eriez circuit, wrote on an Internet message board that Seamens was a supporter of local racers. "He did a lot to make sure that the guy finishing last even got some decent money," Gardner wrote. "He always had one of the best payouts around and put on some of the best shows for local guys. You may not have always agreed with him, but he did a lot for racing in this area." Seamens is survived by wife Jennifer as well as two daughters and a son. Memorials may be made to the Stateline Speedway Legacy Fund, c/o Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701. — From staff reports
BUD PURKEY MEMORIAL RESCHEDULED: Postponed by poor spring weather, the inaugural Bud Purkey Memorial has been rescheduled for Oct. 21-23 at Mid-America Speedway in South Coffeyville, Okla. The $6,000-to-win event, sponsored by Smiley's Racing Products, will wrap up the season on the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association and be the tour's richest event that's not co-sanctioned. The race is promoted by six-time MLRA champion Al Purkey, the late Bud Purkey's son, and Jim White. For more information, visit www.alpurkeyracing.com. — From staff reports
ODDS AND ENDS: Brent Laursen, former track champion at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., died Sept. 12 in Eau Claire, Wis. He was 59. The track honored Laursen in Sept. 18 action with a four-wide parade lap in missing-man formation. ... Winchester (Tenn.) Speedway is hosting a $3,000-to-win Super Late Model event on Sept. 25. ... The Fastrak Racing Series hired Shane Haynes as a full-time technical inspector. ... Hummingbird Speedway in Reynoldsville, Pa., has scheduled the 11th annual Chili 100 for Oct. 9; the race pays $3,000 to the winner. ... The last of three NDRA Dirt Wars events has been moved up one day to Sept. 24 at I-77 Speedway in Chester, S.C. ... Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway will host the Ray Cook-promoted Tar Heel Classic on Nov. 6, a $5,300-to-win event for Super Late Models.
