The Official Site of Area Auto Racing News and Len Sammons Productions Area Auto Racing News
CHILLICOTHE OH – Borrowing from the All Stars Ohio Sprint Speed Week and the equally successful Appalachian Mountain Late Model Speedweek, Brad McCown has launched a new venture, Ohio Late Model Dirt Week. The new mini-series will compete at seven tracks in nine days. Healthy payouts and a ten-position point fund will be available.
McCown is making a name for himself with the new effort. He was the owner and promoter at Jackson County Speedway for three years before he acquired and rebranded Atomic Speedway, midway through the 2013 season. Since taking the reins at Atomic, McCown has brought some big events to south central Ohio, and it is understandable that his track features prominently in the new adventure.
The racing will start on Friday, June 12, at Moler Raceway Park. Racers will swing north and east, to Wayne County Speedway for Saturday’s event. A trip back to the west will see the cars and stars at Millstream Speedway for a Sunday night program. Monday and Tuesday are currently open on the docket, but efforts are still underway to find a venue to host a race on Monday evening.
After a brief respite, the racers will be back at it Wednesday night, June 17, at Skyline Speedway, located near Athens, Ohio. A short trek up the road to the next stop, Crooksville’s Midway Speedway, will lead into the final two events. Friday, June 19 belongs to Brushcreek Motorsports Complex, the sprawling, highbanked track in Peebles. Another short run will take the racers to Atomic, just south of Chillicothe, for the finale on June 20.
Each race will pay a minimum of $3,000 to win and $300 to start. Wayne County and Millstream will pay $4,000 to win and $350 to start. The winner of the last leg at Atomic will bank $5,000, and each starter will earn at least $400. Total purse for the $3,000 to win events will be $13,960. The $4,000 to win shows will pay out $16,650. The finale will top out at nearly $20,000. Tow money of $100 will be paid to each car in the Bmains.
The point fund will pay more than $12,000 to the top ten drivers for the week-plus of competition. The winner will receive $3,000, fifth will get $1,000, and each position thereafter will drop by $100.
The weekly norms that prevail in the region. So, the top regional racers are likely to follow the circuit. Won’t it be fun to see top regional talents like Jackie Boggs, Andy Bond, George “the General” Lee, Chris Garnes, Flyin Ryan Markham, and John Henry do battle together? It is still a long ways away, but look for veteran Ohio traveler Hot Rod Conley to be in the thick of things when the green flag drops. It will be interesting to see whether a Pennsylvania ace like Gregg Satterlee will head west to enter these events. He has had experience competing in the Pennsylvania version of a Late Model Speed Week for several seasons and has been venturing away from home for select events.
The new series is not sanctioned by any organization. The rules will be flexible and should approximate the prevailing rules
for the touring series. Tire rules will be up to each track to determine, but competitors must use 1300 or harder Hoosiers or 44 or harder American Racers. Both companies will be sponsoring the series.
This promises to be an exciting event for racers and race fans in the Ohio region. If it takes hold, perhaps the week can be extended, as there are several other notable tracks that offer full-fendered action on a regular basis. Conspicuously absent are Oakshade Speedway and Attica Raceway Park.
