Turn on the Lights…Racing is Back this Friday Night

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Turn on the Lights…It’s Back to Friday Nights

By John Wells

It’s back to Friday nights so turn on the lights at Madison International Speedway when the racing season begins on May 23rd.  The action on Fridays will run all summer long culminating with Season Championship night on August 29th.

After moving to a special event schedule on Sunday afternoons last year, MIS officials realized that the “Friday Night Tradition” had to return.  “We’re a Friday night track and that’s what our fans are used to and what they want,” said MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg.

Highlighting the weekly racing action will be the Super Late Models who will be taking on Wisconsin’s Fastest Half-Mile.  “This is what our fans have been asking for and it’s what racing at Madison is best known for over the years,” added Grueneberg.  A quick glance at the past champions at Madison proves this to be true as Matt Kenseth won a title in 1994 and legendary stars such as Dick Trickle, Joe Shear, and Rich Bickle Jr. won multiple championships.

The Super Late Models will be in action on nine nights that also include the three events of the Triple Crown Challenge. The Triple Crown Challenge events will include a 100 lap feature and will pay the winner $2500.  Casey Johnson was the Triple Crown Challenge winner in 2013.

When the Super Late Models are not in action the Limited Late Models / Late Models will be in action for three events plus the Big 8 Late Model race on June 27th that will include our Salute to America fireworks extravaganza.

The American Ethanol Super Trucks and Dave’s White Rock Sportsman will also be racing on the half-mile in 2014.  Both divisions are expected to be highly competitive with close racing action guaranteed.  Jerry Wood is the defending champion in the Super Trucks while the Sportsman did not race in 2013.

 

Two divisions will be in action on the ¼ mile infield track this year with the Roto Rooter Legends and Pellitteri Waste Systems Bandits taking on one of the Midwest’s most challenging ovals.  Defending champion in the Legends division is Cory Talaska while the Bandits did not race in 2013.

This year’s weekly format will include qualifying, heat races, and features.  Qualifying results will determine heat race lineups while heat race results will determine the feature starting positions.  Feature lengths (depending on car count) will include 25 laps for the Bandits and Legends, 20 laps for the Sportsman, 30 laps for the Trucks, and 40 laps for the Super Late Models.

Friday nights will also include a variety of special events for the kids as the Quest Industrial Turn 4  Kids’ Club returns in 2014.  Plus, the family-friendly environment at MIS means kids eleven and under are free, and how many sports venues can offer that to families?

Pit gates for Friday night racing open at 3:30 with practice set for 4:45, qualifying at 6:00, opening ceremonies at 7:15, and racing at 7:30. 

Adult admission is $12.00 with Students (12-17) and Senior Citizens (60+) at $10.00, and kids eleven and under free.  

Special event pricing for the Triple Crown Challenge Nights and Salute to America Night are $15.00 for adults, $13.00 for Students and Seniors, and free for kids eleven and under.

Madison International Speedway

Friday, May 23, 2014

3:30            Pit Gates Open

4:45            Practice

6:00            Qualifying- 2 laps (all divisions)

            Bandits

            Legends

            Sportsman

            Trucks

            Super Late Models

7:15            Opening Ceremonies

7:30            Racing*

            Bandit Heats (8 Laps)

            Legends Heats (8 Laps)

            Sportsman Heats (6 Laps)

            Truck Heats (8 Laps)

            Super Late Model Heats (8 Laps)

            Bandit Feature (25 Laps)

            Legends Feature (25 Laps)

            Sportsman Feature (20 Laps)

            Truck Feature (30 Laps)

            Super Late Model Feature (40 Laps)

 

* Feature laps may be reduced due to low car count