LIMA — Racing fans are in for another treat Friday night. The United States Speed Association (USSA) Midgets are coming to town for Family Fun Night – Presented by St. Rita’s Health Partners at Limaland Motorsports Park. The pit gate opens at 4:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
This will be the first time that the Midget series competes at Limaland.
Vice President and Competition Director Eric Bunn is excited to bring the Midgets to town.
“I’m actually from Lima,” Bunn said. “As our series has grown, we wanted to branch out into Ohio. We were working on our schedule this past fall and we were trying to expand our dirt tracks. We talked to the folks at Limaland and we were able to make it happen.”
Based out of Lebanon, Indiana, the Midget series will compete in a total of 19 races this season.
“We are a series for SPEC cars with SPEC engines,” Bunn said. “It’s an affordable form of racing. Our drivers have a motorcycle engine. It’s very entertaining and we should put on a good show at Limaland and put two or three cars wide.”
The Midget Series drivers also have the opportunity to work directly with Mel and Don Brooks. Mel Brooks won more than 380 Midget feature wins during his career. He also won seven National Midget championships with eight runners-up as well. He was top five in point finishes in 21 out of the 27 seasons between 1966 and 1988.
“Our drivers have an amazing opportunity working with Mel and Don,” Bunn said. “They are literally the best in the business.”
The Midgets also do something else that other racing divisions don’t do.
“This can also be a challenge because we’re the only Midget series to compete on pavement and also on dirt,” Bunn said. “Our drivers have fun with it. Chase Jones swept the dirt races last year and he’ll be on hand (Friday night). We have a good field overall.”
Overall, the Midget series has simple goals each and every week that it travels and competes.
“Our goal is always to put on a show that the fans can enjoy and that the drivers can enjoy,” Bunn said. “We’re very lucky to come to Limaland. The people from Lima are great race fans. The track is operated by good folks. We can count on good people to work with.”
For compete results of Family Fun Night, check out the Sunday edition of The Lima News.
Waynesfield features
Non Wing sprint cars
WAYNESFIELD — The Waynesfield Raceway Park summer season kicks off Saturday headlined by the Quest Federal Credit Union Non Wing sprint cars. The non-wings will be running for a $1,500 payday. The Satellite Connections UMP Modifieds, Performance Powder Coating AMSA Mini Sprints, Block Insurance Tough Trucks, and Indian Lake Outfitter Compacts are also on the program with continuing points battles.
Adult general admission for the summer kickoff event is $12. Those ages 11-15 years old are $6 with everyone under the age of 10 admitted for free. Pit access is available for $25.
Pit side gates swing open at 4 p.m.; grandstands at 5 p.m. Hot laps get under way at 6 p.m. with the first green flag of the night at 7 p.m.
New payout scale
gets introduced
WAYNESFIELD — In recognition of the continued support by the Satellite Connections UMP Modifieds, officials at Waynesfield Raceway Park in Waynesfield have introduced a new a new payout scale. Whenever 30 or more Modifieds sign-in for an event, the payout for the A-main will increase to $800 to win and $100 to start. The new payout structure goes into effect this weekend.
“With the car counts we have seen already this season, every race would have received the new pay scale,” Race Director Danny Kelly said.
The full pay scale is: 1st $800, 2nd $425, 3rd 325, 4th $275, 5th $225, 6th $200, 7th $170, 8th $150, 9th $140, 10th $125, 11th $120, 12th $115, 13th $110, 14th – 20th $100
