Season Opening Plans

 With all the hysteria surrounding the Covid-19 virus and the resulting confusion, I thought I would reach out to promoters in my area for their early 2020 plans.
  Having been weathered out of a planned trip to Beatrice, Ne.  Speedway for their Spring Nationals, my next planned event is next weekend at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. Promoter Mike Van Genderen has assured me that the Spring Nationals will go on as planned Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21. Friday will feature five classes of racing, with the fledgling East Division of the Malvern Bank/ Hoker Trucking Super Late Model Series added to the Saturday card. Series owner Joe Kosiski purchased the Deery Brothers Summer Series from IMCA over the winter and merged it with his SLMR series, creating an Eastern Division. The race will pay $3,000 to win, with a full field of cars expected. Right now, the weekend looks to be cool with only a slight chance of precip on Friday. Van Genderens' track in Stuart, Iowa will begin its' season the following week with special Friday and Saturday racing before moving to Wednesday night action.          Also scheduled for the last weekend in March is the ninth annual Thaw Brawl, presented for the first time at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. Spokesperson Brian Neal also indicated this highly anticipated show will go on, weather permitting. Fronted by veteran racer/ promoter Tony Izzo Jr., new owner of the MARS Late Model Series, Fridays' events will be capped by twin $2500 to win features, with the finale on Saturday a $12,000 to win main event. Close to thirty super late model drivers have already pre entered for the weekend.
   Saturday, April 4, the 360 Sprint Invaders are set to kick off the 2020 season at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. Track spokesperson Jessi Mynatt confirmed that as of now, all systems are go for this race and an outstanding series of specials throughout the month.
   At this time, I have not received a response from the Drt Trak racing group that promotes specials at the Davenport and West Liberty, Iowa tracks.
   According to Facebook, the I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. will also open as scheduled, with regular racing on Saturday, April 4.
    The situation is considerably murkier in Illinois, as Governor J.B. Pritzker has issued a statement requesting events attracting more than 250 people be postponed or cancelled, and mandating the same for events drawing more than 1000 until at least May 1. This puts promoters on the east side of the Mississippi in a bit of a pickle, as it were. Predictably, the persons I contacted are still assessing the situation. Jason Goble, owner/ operator of Quincy Raceways is still considering his plan of action. QR is slated to open the regular season on Sunday, April 5. A typical early April event in Quincy likely would not top the 1000 mark, but would easily number over 250.
     Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Il. has several high profile specials in April that could easily go over the threshold, including the Lucas Oil late models on April 24. According to Tammy Gundaker, Tri City will not be holding races until May unless the state recalls their decision.
   Again, per their Facebook page, all early events at the Highland, Il. Speedway have been postponed until further notice.
   A message to Jacksonville, Il. promoter Kenny Dobson has not yet been returned, however a Facebook post from the Jacksonville Speedway site stated it is "unlikely" there would be racing in April
"without something major changing", but that there will not be an official announcement"for a bit."

   This morning, I checked in at the Quincy Mall car show for a  peek at some of the 2020 hot rods. The car count at the show appeared to be up this year, led by a solid count of good looking modifieds and sport compacts. The staff from Quincy Raceways was on hand to visit and answer questions, and there was a table representing the Keokuk, Iowa Racers Reunion, coming up on June 20 in the Gate City. One thing that was a bit distressing, however was the lack of drivers on hand. Quite a few individuals and families turned out on a cold, wet Saturday morning to look at the cars, but found few drivers there to answer questions and promote their hobby. While we often hear opinions that track promoters need to work harder, I think many times drivers could do more to help the cause as well.

    Please, everyone, stay safe, take reasonable precautions, and lets go racing, 2020 style. See you at the track!