(Lincoln, IL) Super Late Model drivers from at least 18 different states and one from Australia are set to converge on Lincoln Speedway this coming Thursday, May 12, to race in the biggest event in the track’s 19-year history. The event, which now has 50 different names on the expected entry list, will pay $22,022 to win, shattering the record for the highest paying event ever at the track.
The DIRTcar Modified class will also race for a strong payout of $2,000 to win.
The inaugural FloRacing Illinois Speedweek kicks off on Wednesday night at Spoon River Speedway before heading to Lincoln Speedway on Thursday night, followed by Farmer City and Fairbury to end the week. $89,000+ is on the line in first place money, while the total payout for the week is $248,000. The Spoon River Speedway and Lincoln Speedway events are part of the Castrol FloRacing Night In America season-long series. Graue Chevrolet, a longtime supporter of Lincoln Speedway, has stepped up again this year and will be the presenting sponsor of Thursday night’s event.
The list of drivers committed to racing at the ¼-mile Lincoln track is a who’s-who in Super Late Model racing. Multi-time World Of Outlaws Late Model champion, Brandon Sheppard, from New Berlin, IL leads the list of those heading for Central Illinois. Some of the top challengers include Tyler Erb, Brian Shirley, Devin Moran, Gordy Gundaker, Shannon Babb, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Billy Moyer, Jr., Ryan Unzicker, Jason Feger, Dennis Erb, Jr., Bobby Pierce, Earl Pearson, Jr., Tony Jackson, Jr., Hudson O’Neal, and Rusty Schlenk.
Some of the local favorites expected to compete with the headliners are Lincoln, IL’s Myles Moos, Bob Gardner, Tommy Sheppard, Jr., Kevin Weaver, Jeffrey Ledford, Roben Huffman, Jake Little, McKay Wenger, Kyle Hammer, and others.
Adding to Thursday night’s fun will be the DIRTcar Modifieds, racing for $2,000 to win and $150 to start. The class puts on great racing during all of the weekly shows so this one should be even better. Kenny Wallace currently leads the point standings by just two markers over Brandon Roberts. Jared Thomas, Ray Bollinger, and Dave Wietholder complete the top five. Mike Harrison, arguably the best in Modified racing, won the most recent event on April 22.
Pit gate sales officially are set to open at 3:00 PM on Thursday, though sales will likely begin a little earlier to help avoid long lines. Grandstand sales are scheduled to begin at 4:00, while hotlaps begin at 6:00, and racing will take the green at 7:00 PM.
Grandstand admission will be $40 at the gate on raceday, while kids 11 and under are $10. Advance sale discounted general admission tickets and more detailed race info are available online at lincolnspeedwayil.com.
Joe Putnam Photo
About Lincoln Speedway:
For more information on the track, follow Lincoln Speedway online at www.lincolnspeedwayil.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/LincolnILSpeedway), and Twitter (@LincolnILSpdwy). Updates are also available by calling the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.
Lincoln Speedway is located at the Logan County Fairgrounds, in Lincoln, IL. The physical address is 1408 Short 11th St., Lincoln, IL 62656. Lincoln Speedway races a number of DIRTcar UMP classes as well as specials on a near bi-weekly schedule of Friday and Sunday evenings. The track is also home to the DIRTcar Fall Nationals.
Lincoln Speedway is a proud member of the Contingency Connection's $100,000 Racer Rewards Program.
