Columbus’ Tony Stewart ventured to Columbus, Mississippi, and dominated the United Sprint Car Series (USCS) portion of the Frostbuster 150 on March 3 at Magnolia Motor Speedway.
Stewart went from eighth to first in his heat race, which earned him the pole for the 30-lap main event later in the evening. He proceeded to lead every lap of the feature to collect his first sprint-car triumph of the year.
Stewart also raced March 2 at Hattiesburg Speedway in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he finished 15th in the USCS-sanctioned event.
Stewart’s next scheduled sprint-car start will be April 6 and 7 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. He will participate both nights with the USCS 360 sprints.
Florence opener postponed
Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky, was scheduled to open their 2018 racing season tonight, but due to wet grounds and cool conditions, the 42nd running of the Spring 50 paying $5,000 to win for super late models has been rescheduled for March 31. Also competing will be the crate late models and modifieds. For more information, visit florencespeedway.com.
Brownstown opener next weekend
Brownstown Speedway will kick off it’s 66th season of racing next weekend. On the race docket Friday will be opening night weekend, with four divisions of racing scheduled. The super late models, Indiana Pro late models, pure stocks and hornets will kick off an extensive 2018 season schedule.
On March 17 will be the 21st annual Indiana Icebreaker featuring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series with a feature purse of $12,000 to win. Also racing will be modifieds and super stocks.
As weather permits today, the track will conduct an open practice session from 3 to 6 p.m. for all divisions of racing. For more info, visit brownstownspeedway.com
Twin Cities honors top drivers
Twin Cities Raceway Park in Vernon conducted its annual awards banquet Feb. 24 at the Amvets in North Vernon. The track managed by Tom and Gina Wetherald of Columbus and promoted by Tim and Farrah Keithley of Brownstown will resume its Saturday Night schedule of racing this year April 14.
The top 10 2017 drivers in each division were honored at the banquet, along with the top rookies in each class.
Champions recognized were Brad Erwin of Crothersville (crate late models), Jeremy Owens of North Vernon (modifieds), Troy Clark of North Vernon (pure stocks), Cody Perry of North Vernon (hornets) and Danny Hupp of Scipio (super stocks).
Season pass discounts available
Bloomington Speedway is offering a season pass discount for all its events scheduled this year. A 2018 season pass can be purchased in advance for just $250, a significant savings to all racing fans. That will get fans into the stands for every night of racing.
Fans can purchase the season pass by mailing a check to the track office, calling the track and leaving a message, dropping off a check when someone is at the track (generally weekday mornings), or you may purchase them at the gate on practice night, April 6. Please note that there will be no refunds for inclement weather.
With 18 races on the schedule for the coming season, it will cost only $300 for a general admission ticket to every race, if fans were to buy them at the gate. This includes USAC’S Midget Week and the Sheldon Kinser Memorial Indiana Sprint Week events, the April USAC sprint car race and the MARS super late model event. It includes several big programs on the schedule like the Josh Burton Memorial with the MSCS sprint car series, the JB Robinson with the American Modified Series, and Bloomington’s tribute to Bob Kinser. It also includes the gala Independence Day Fireworks and 10 more exciting nights of racing.
The track is continuing to renew reserved seat boxes and reserved parking. Many have already renewed, and they are attempting to contact those who haven’t. There will be several openings in both the reserved parking and seating, and the track is taking the names of those who would like to reserve a spot.
The price is $125 for either box or parking, for the season. That does not include admission to the races. The reserved boxes are on the asphalt just behind the top row of bleachers, with room for several chairs and perfect for those with elderly or handicapped Speedway fans. The parking is along the cement blocks inside the top gate and a short walk to the grandstand and concessions. Both parking and seating will be clearly marked.
Bloomington Speedway has proposed two HARF Nights to the Hoosier Auto Racing Fans organization for this season — on April 20, and June 15. Mark these dates down as the track looks forward to welcoming HARF members for half-price general admission when they present a valid HARF membership card at the gate. As always, kids 12 and under will be admitted free with an adult.
The best way to contact the track is by email at [email protected], by phone at 812-824- 7400, or the mailing address is 5185 S. Fairfax Rd., Bloomington, IN 47401. The website address is bloomingtonspeedway.com.
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to [email protected].
