National notebook
Notes: Late Models see improvements at Leesville
Robbie Stuart visits victory lane May 14 at 171 Speedway in Leesville, La. (Iles Photography)
LEESVILLE, La. — While 171 Speedway drew only a handful of Late Models to its May 14 event, feature winner Robbie Stuart of nearby DeRidder, La., is among those who hopes the recently reopened track thrives and has an opportunity to run more events for the full-fendered cars.
Enjoying the "class people and a nice facility" at Leesville, Stuart outdueled Rob Litton early and then cruised to a $1,000 victory at the track that had been shuttered in 2004 before bring reopened in April by owners Rupert and Debbie White. John Higginbotham serves as general manager at the 3/8-mile track that has seen several improvements.
Red clay was added to the racing surface and the banking was built up in turns three and four. Metal grandstands were added along with a small chairback section, and a tram service was instituted to shuttle fans from the parking area to the gate.
"We hope to be here for the long haul. In a time when the economy isn't the best, I understand we need everyone's support to make this happen," Rupert White said. "Sure, it is a business, but I am like all the others, I am a racing fan and that is what drives me to make this a reality.
"It is like a long-standing dream and the early support by the fans, the staff, the racers and everyone involved has been great. I can't thank them enough. I would like to see the Late Models here and that is one thing that drivers, first and foremost, will not have to worry about at this track, and that is their payout, no matter what."
Stuart saw improvement in track speeds as he turned 16.9-second practice laps when it first reopened, then 16.1-second laps at Saturday's event.
"This track has some 'go' to it," Stuart said. "It surprised me how much gear you have, although it doesn't have a lot of banking. It might need a little more banking, but they are trying to it to where it has two lanes of racing.
"We won't know until we have a good group of Late Models out here. The track owner listens to what any driver has to say or have to input and is open to many things. He has already implemented some changes on suggestions that myself and other racers have made to improve the on-track conditions."
The track, which hosted five other divisions including modifieds at Saturday's event, only added Late Models a week prior to the event advertised on local radio. Five Late Model drivers showed up in a state with no weekly tracks for Super Late Models.
The only sanctioned Late Model event on record at Leesville came in 1997 when David Ashley won an O'Reilly Southern United Professional Racing event. — Bryan Wimberley
SCHAEFFER OIL TO SPONSOR SOUTHERN NATIONALS: The Southern Nationals Series has signed Schaeffer Specialized Lubricants to a a three-year title sponsorship deal, the series announced Tuesday. The Ray Cook-promoted tour will be known as the Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals Series when it launches its seventh season on July 11 at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Va. "Despite these hard economic times, Schaeffer's has stepped up and seen the value in the sport of Dirt Late Model racing," Cook said. The tour has 10 events schedule at 10 tracks in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee from July 11-23. A series-high six events pay $5,300 to the winner. — Ryan Delph
THREE-DIVISION SPECIAL SET FOR MAY 21 AT CEDAR LAKE: Fans who like Late Models and sprint cars don't have to choose Saturday night at Cedar Lake Speedway. The New Richmond, Wis., oval is hosting a Triple Crown event May 21 with NASCAR Late Models, Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprints and Midwest Modifieds on the card. Late Models and sprints will battle for $3,000-to-win, $300-to-start purses. In addition, the first 3,000 fans receive a free event T-shirt. Drivers wanting to tune up for the event can hit the track during a practice 6-9 p.m. Thursday, May 19. — From track reports
SERIES SCHEDULE CHANGES: The first-year STARS Midwest Dirt Racing League has added three events, including two at Southern Ohio Speedway in Wheelersburg. Southern Ohio, scheduled to reopen in June, will host July 3 and Aug. 5 events while Mountain Motor Speedway in Isom, Ky., will host a July 2 race. ... Millstream Speedway's May 15 event on the O'Reilly All Star and Sunoco American Late Model Series circuits was postponed; no makeup date has been announced. ... The purse for the June 22 NLRA event at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D., has been boosted to $4,000-to-win on Tony Stewart night. — From series reports
ODDS AND ENDS: Curtis Cook of Vilonia, Ark., earned a $200 bonus from GRT Race Cars for winning May 14's Comp Cams Super Dirt Series event at Drew County Speedway in Monticello, Ark. ... Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., plans its first-ever topless Late Model event on May 20, when the track hosts Cancer Awareness Night. ... Australian dirt racer Craig Vosbergen plans another summer trip to the United States with 10 events from June 30-July 16 on three different tours. Vosbergen, who recently wrapped up a championship on the R2C Pro Dirt Series and captured the West Australia Championship, will be traveling with Ohio driver Doug Drown to events in West Virginia, Ohio and Illinois. ... Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, Ky., has increased the purse of May 20's 16th annual Pete Abell Memorial to $2,000-to-win, $200-to-start.
