As we cross the mid point of January, we can begin to count down the days until racing action comes to life here in the mid west. There has already been plenty of dirt track activity in the south west, as five IMCA classes contested events at Cocopah Speedway in Arizona and the super late models topped the three division card during the Wild West Shootout at Vado Speedway Park in New Mexico, where Jonathon Davenport (3 wins), Bobby Pierce (2), and Mike Marlar (1) led the fifty plus late model car fields.
Now the action will shift to Georgia and Florida, culminating in Speed Weeks action next month.
For more on the early season action, check out One Fan's Travels here at Positively Racing.
Closer to home there is plenty to talk about as we linger through warmer than normal days. The big news of the past weekend concerns the Independence, Iowa Speedway. Until this past weekend, there had been no promoter named for 2023, but it has now been confirmed that a pair of well known names will be at the helm this season. Dana Benning, a former promoter of the fairgrounds track will be joined by Stuart Speedway owner/promoter Mike Van Genderen. MVG has been a highly regarded race director (and driver) with a knack for excellent track prep around the area for several years. His work as a dirt guru at Bristol Motor Speedway along with the Dirt Track at Las Vegas has garnered him national recognition in the last few seasons. Also the promoter of a handful of events at Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. and the Bloomfield, Iowa Speedway, Mike is well known for offering up some unique programs, so it will be interesting to see what the duo has in store for Indee in 2023.
We have counted down to forty days (and forty nights) until the first event on our calendar for the year, and that is the weekend of February 24-25. The 2022 Turkey Bowl was weathered out at Springfield, Mo. Raceway in November, and is now set for those two days of racing, and we hope to make the late model portion of the show, whenever that shall be.
Speaking of Van Genderen, he will bring Scotland County Speedway roaring back to action with a two day show on March 17-18.
The weekend of March 24-25, Ricky and Brenda Kay kick off their season at Davenport Speedway with a pair of super late model headliners.
34 Raceway owner/operators Brad and Jessi will hopefully find Mother
Nature in a better mood this year, as they open the gates on April Fools
Day with the Sprint Invaders ahead of a season chock full of specials
for both open wheel and late model fans.
Adams County, Illinois Speedway in Quincy has released an ambitious schedule under second year operators Jim and Tammy Lieurance, and following a car show weekend March 24-25 at the Quincy Town Center - formerly Quincy Mall - they will drop the first green flag on Sunday, April 2, take off Easter Sunday, April 9, then kick off weekly racing.
The tentative opening weekend for Brian and Marcie Gaylord at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson is set for a two night Spring Hooray April 21-22.
As always, check the track websites for confirmation of these dates and don't forget to keep the Positively Racing weekly events and Specials calendar in your toolbox.
Stay warm and we will see you at the track soon!
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