Bloomington May 9th preview

Indiana Dirt Late Model Speed Week is back

BLOOMINGTON, IN (May 4, 2003) - On May 9, Indiana Dirt Late Model Speed Week will revisit the red clay of Bloomington Speedway. Last season's Indiana Dirt Late Model Speed Week proved what many race fans already knew - like Indiana Sprint Week, a premier series like Indiana Dirt Late Model Speed Week fills both the pits and the grandstands. The dirt late models are campaigned all over the state; and they have their own crowd of loyal fans. However, many of them have never seen them run on a good heavy track like the one that they will find at Bloomington Speedway; but they certainly won't forget their first visit. Those who have seen the late models run on the tacky red clay will certainly be back to see them this time. Come early to get a good spot from which to witness this tremendous show.

Each feature event in the series will pay $2,000 to win and $225 to start. In addition, there is a $4,100 series point fund. Like with sprint week, winning this series is something special; because the competition is among drivers who have already developed their own rivalries as well as the visiting stars trying to pick up a fast buck. One driver who will certainly be in competition is Don "The Real Deal" O'Neal. O'Neal is a major threat to win wherever he unloads; and many very good racers judge their program by how they ran against O'Neal. Just to make things a little more interesting, O'Neal won the speed week race at Bloomington Speedway last year; and he wants to repeat the victory at least as much as his rivals wish to stop him.

Another driver to watch at the Bloomington Speedway chapter of Indiana Dirt Late Model Speed Week is Jason Setser. Setser doesn't have as much late model experience as most of his rivals; but he may well have more experience on a heavy track like the one that he is likely to find on May 9 at Bloomington Speedway. Last year he started sixth and drove to a fourth place finish.

The top ten at last year's Indiana Dirt Late Model Speed Week race at Bloomington Speedway were Don O'Neal, Kevin Claycomb, Steve Barnett, Jason Setser, Doug McCammon, Brad Barrow, Rodney Melvin, Steve Casebolt, Jr., Steve Prince, and Doug Ault.

Just to throw a little more suspence into the equation, it is possible that some of our O'Neal Wood Products modified, Tire & Wheel Center super stock, or even our sprint car drivers will line up a late model ride in an effort to use their knowledge of the red clay oval to gain an advantage over the traveling late model racers.

In addition, the O'Neal Wood Products modifieds and the Tire & Wheel Center super stocks will be in competition

Other Indiana Dirt Late Model Speed Week events are scheduled for Twin Cities Raceway Park (May 7), Paragon Speedway (May 8), Brownstown Speedway (May 10), and Tri State Speedway (May 11). Plan to see them all.

Pit gates will open at 4:30 PM, the grandstand gates will open at 5:30 PM, hot laps will start at 6:30 PM, and racing will begin at 7:30 PM. General admission is $15 for this special event; and pit admission is $20. Children are admitted free to the grandstand when accompanied by a paying adult. Overnight camping is permitted. Coolers are allowed; but no glass containers please.

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