Rain, Rain, Go Away

  Hoping the forecast was wrong, Friday night we headed to C J Raceway in Columbus Junction, Iowa. On the card was the long awaited Hoker Trucking SLMR east division season opener. The regular Friday night four classes of modifieds, sport mods, stock cars and sport compacts would also be in action in support of the late models.
  Despite the threat of rain, the pits were filling up nicely with something close to ninety cars in the pits including by my count twenty four late models counting at least one waiting outside the gate.
  As it became clear that the rain was imminent, the drivers meeting was called, and shortly thereafter announcer Jerry Mackey made the announcement that the races would not be taking place. Even though not a drop had yet fallen, there was no grumbling from the large crowd assembled. And sure enough, sprinkles began to fall as we waited in line to leave the fairgrounds, and a steady shower greeted us just a few miles to the west.
  Promoter Larry Robertson offered the paying customers a pair of attractive options for ticket use in addition to offering a full refund on site. Mackey also announced that officials would attempt to find a reschedule date in August for what would be the only visit of the traveling late model series to the big 4/10 mile oval.
  Thanks go out to Larry and crew for their hospitality, and we will eagerly await the possible reschedule. In the meantime, we will hope for better weather tomorrow as the SLMR stars head southwest to 34 Raceway in West Burlington for another shot at a season opener and a $3,000 top prize. IMCA modifieds will also be in competition for a $1,000 payday, with stock cars and sport compacts filling out the card. Hope to see you there!