6/2/2019
Flooding, saturated grounds force I-30 Speedway postponement of USMTS show
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--The USMTS last competed at the I-30 Speedway on June 10, 2009. Unfortunately, the hiatus will reach its 10th anniversary as officials have been forced to postpone the event scheduled for this Friday, May 31, due to continued rainfall and historic flooding in Little Rock and surrounding areas of Arkansas.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson increased emergency funding yesterday in response to the flooding along the Arkansas River.
"This is a flood of historic magnitude. It surpasses all Arkansas River flooding in our recorded history," he said. "That should be enough to get everybody's attention."
While the track surface would likely be suitable for racing, getting to the racetrack and then getting haulers in and out of the pit area would likely be a daunting task. Rising water from the Arkansas River has already shut down a road in western Pulaski County.
I-30 Speedway promoter Tracey Clay and USMTS promoter Todd Staley said plans are to reschedule for a later date, likely some time in September or October.
This weekend's tripleheader now becomes a doubleheader June 1-2 that begins at the Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla., on Saturday before returning to the Creek County Speedway in Kellyville, Okla., on Sunday.
Power in Pocola: On Saturday, June 1, the USMTS tackles the Tri-State Speedway in Pocola, Okla., where Eddie Martin was the winner when the series made their maiden voyage to the facility. In the next three visits, Jason Hughes was the main event winner while last year's return was one of the season's most memorable as Zack VanderBeek passed Rodney Sanders just a few feet from the finish line to take the win.
The pits open at 4 p.m. and grandstand gates will swing open at 5. Hot laps begin at 6:30 and racing will commence at 7. Factory Stocks and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods will join the USMTS Modifieds on the card presented by Champ Pans. Sponsors include JRT Trucking, Inc., and Sonny Davis, Inc.
General admission spectator tickets are $20 and seniors 65 and older are just $17. Meanwhile, past and present members of the military get in free. Youth ages 6-12 get in for $10. Kids under 6 are free. Pit passes are $35.
Race fans can get coupons good for $2 off adult spectator admission on race day at Casey's General Stores locations in Pocola, Poteau, Sallisaw and Spiro. In Arkansas, coupons are available at Barling, Charleston, Fort Smith, Greenwood, Lavaca, Mansfield and Van Buren stores.
The Tri-State Speedway is a high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval located 1.6 miles west of the Arkansas-Oklahoma State line on US 271, then 0.3 mile north (3435 1705 W, Race Track Rd, Pocola, OK 74902). For more information, call (918) 575-1369 or check out tri-statespeedway.com online.
Big Daddy's big show: Sunday, June 2, marks the return of the USMTS to the Creek County Speedway for the 2nd annual Bullring Badass presented by Bravado Wireless, AmeriFlex Hose & Accessories, Pizza Express and Duvall Electric.
In last year's inaugural event, fans were treated to a caution-free 40-lap barnburner that demanded a return during the 2019 season. Once again, several special features will highlight the show including laps sponsors ($100 each), a Front Row Challenge presented by Grady Smith and Smith All-Fab ($2,500) and, of course, trophy girls.
Fast Shafts will also be presenting a carbon fiber driveshaft to the hard charger of the event (you must be using a Fast Shafts driveshaft and have Fast shafts stickers on both sides of the car to be eligible).
Gates will open 5 p.m., hot laps hit the dirt at 6 and the first green flag gets unfurled at 7. The event will also feature the Lucas Oil National Open Wheel 600 Series.
General admission spectator tickets are $20, kids ages 8-14 are $10 and children under 8 get in for free. Pit passes are $35. Fans can get $2 discount coupons on race day at Casey's General Stores locations in Broken Arrow, Claremore, Collinsville, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso and Skiatook.
The Creek County Speedway was built in 1986 and the bullring has been delivering high-octane excitement to fans in the Tulsa, Okla., area ever since. The track is a 1/4-mile dirt oval located southwest of Tulsa on I-44 to exit 211, then 0.3 mile south on SR 33, then 1.0 mile west on SR 66 (18450 OK-66, Kellyville, OK 74039). For more information, call (918) 693-7223 and see creekcountyspeedway.co on the World Wide Web.
Rodney Sanders remains atop the Casey's General Stores USMTS National Championship points battle and thus retains the fluorescent yellow Wrisco spoiler heading into the next event. Zack VanderBeek trails by 79 points (1013 to 934) followed by Hunter Marriott (907), Ryan Gustin (896) and Dereck Ramirez (855).
All three events will award national points as well as the MSD Performance USMTS Mid-American Series.
For those unable to be there in person, every lap of every race in every division every night will be broadcast live on RacinDirt.com.
Saturday's show at the Tri-State Speedway kicks off a grueling swing of seven shows in eight days. After Sunday's show at the Creek County Speedway, teams get a 24-hour rest prior to a five-race excursion through the Lone Star State and the Summit USMTS Southern Series powered by MSD.
To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, visit USMTS.com on call (515) 832-7944. You can also like the USMTS on Facebook, visit us on Instagram, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn and watch us on YouTube. Keep up to speed with everything USMTS and subscribe to the USMTS e-Newsletter.
Article Credit: Jeff Nunn