Dargan
10-26-2007, 02:36 PM
Sumter Speedway October 26, 2007 From Dargan Watts
SUMTER, S. C. -- It was learned via a racing message board that Sumter Speedway co-promoters Priscilla Baker and Wanda Duke have decided to forego the weekly racing programs for the remainder of 2007 and will devote all their energy toward the annual After Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout, which will officially close the season for the 3/8-mile dirt oval on November 24th.
According to Duke, many of the drivers have asked for some time away from the Saturday night action to give them ample time to make needed repairs on their cars so they will be in top notch shape mechanically for the special event.
As of today, there will be racing in the ladies Bomber 4 and Bomber 6 classes,plus the men and ladies will compete in separate Bomber 4 and Bomber 6 events. Also, competition is scheduled for Stock 4, Street Stock, Ridge Runner/Renegades, Open Wheel Modified, Crate Late Model and Super Late Model classes. Unless at least ten entries are received, there will be no Limited Late Model competition.
The event is being billed as the 32nd annual, but actually, the first Thanksgiving week program was run in 1956 at the old Bethel Speedway. The following year, Wade Shugart staged a two-day event at the new Gamecock Raceway before the name was changed to Sumter Speedway years later. The 1957 event decided the season points championship as Charlton McLeod won the race and also surpassed Bobby Lee, who had led in points going into the final race of the season.
Back then, there was only one class of drivers and cars and the total purse was $500. The payout for this year is 25 times that amount.
The four Bomber classes have been the hit all season as a few veteran "BomberWhacker" drivers have competed against pure "rookies" who have taken to the track for the first time. The "rookies" held their own against some drivers who have been racing for decades.
The Stock 4 class was dominated by Cody McAllister with 12 wins and Jody Truett while Brian Welch was the driver to beat in the Ridge Runner events, recording 11 wins. Mark Bartlette, with eight victories and Matt Holland with six led the Street Stock brigade.
The Open Wheel Modified drivers have competed twice at Sumter this season and more than 20 competitors from the Carolinas and Georgia are expected for this affair. The powerful Super Late Models will be seen for the first time since last Thanksgiving and a fine field is expected from the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida for this race. Manning's Ed Gibbons was the winner last year, while Jeff Smith, from Dallas, N. C. was the winner the year before. Local driver Terry Caples took the lead from Yulee, Fla. resident Bodine Massengill on the third lap to record the win three years ago.
Presently, it looks as though the gates will open at 9:30 a.m. and the first race will follow at 1 p.m. Gate admission is $20 for adults and the cost will be $5 for children 11 years of age and under. Pits admission will be $30 for adults while children 11 and under will be $10.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/dargan_2007/CodyMcAllister061607.jpg
Cody McAllister recorded 12 wins on his way to the track championship in the Stock
4 competition this year at Sumter Speedway. McAllister is expected to have many
challengers during the annual After Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout at the 3/8-mile dirt
oval on November 24th.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/dargan_2007/BWelch060907.jpg
Brian Welch proved that a crate engine had plenty of power for Sumter Speedway as he
recorded 11 wins this season in the Ridge Runner competition. Several "Renegades" are
expected from out of town for the After Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout on Saturday, November
24.
SUMTER, S. C. -- It was learned via a racing message board that Sumter Speedway co-promoters Priscilla Baker and Wanda Duke have decided to forego the weekly racing programs for the remainder of 2007 and will devote all their energy toward the annual After Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout, which will officially close the season for the 3/8-mile dirt oval on November 24th.
According to Duke, many of the drivers have asked for some time away from the Saturday night action to give them ample time to make needed repairs on their cars so they will be in top notch shape mechanically for the special event.
As of today, there will be racing in the ladies Bomber 4 and Bomber 6 classes,plus the men and ladies will compete in separate Bomber 4 and Bomber 6 events. Also, competition is scheduled for Stock 4, Street Stock, Ridge Runner/Renegades, Open Wheel Modified, Crate Late Model and Super Late Model classes. Unless at least ten entries are received, there will be no Limited Late Model competition.
The event is being billed as the 32nd annual, but actually, the first Thanksgiving week program was run in 1956 at the old Bethel Speedway. The following year, Wade Shugart staged a two-day event at the new Gamecock Raceway before the name was changed to Sumter Speedway years later. The 1957 event decided the season points championship as Charlton McLeod won the race and also surpassed Bobby Lee, who had led in points going into the final race of the season.
Back then, there was only one class of drivers and cars and the total purse was $500. The payout for this year is 25 times that amount.
The four Bomber classes have been the hit all season as a few veteran "BomberWhacker" drivers have competed against pure "rookies" who have taken to the track for the first time. The "rookies" held their own against some drivers who have been racing for decades.
The Stock 4 class was dominated by Cody McAllister with 12 wins and Jody Truett while Brian Welch was the driver to beat in the Ridge Runner events, recording 11 wins. Mark Bartlette, with eight victories and Matt Holland with six led the Street Stock brigade.
The Open Wheel Modified drivers have competed twice at Sumter this season and more than 20 competitors from the Carolinas and Georgia are expected for this affair. The powerful Super Late Models will be seen for the first time since last Thanksgiving and a fine field is expected from the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida for this race. Manning's Ed Gibbons was the winner last year, while Jeff Smith, from Dallas, N. C. was the winner the year before. Local driver Terry Caples took the lead from Yulee, Fla. resident Bodine Massengill on the third lap to record the win three years ago.
Presently, it looks as though the gates will open at 9:30 a.m. and the first race will follow at 1 p.m. Gate admission is $20 for adults and the cost will be $5 for children 11 years of age and under. Pits admission will be $30 for adults while children 11 and under will be $10.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/dargan_2007/CodyMcAllister061607.jpg
Cody McAllister recorded 12 wins on his way to the track championship in the Stock
4 competition this year at Sumter Speedway. McAllister is expected to have many
challengers during the annual After Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout at the 3/8-mile dirt
oval on November 24th.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/dargan_2007/BWelch060907.jpg
Brian Welch proved that a crate engine had plenty of power for Sumter Speedway as he
recorded 11 wins this season in the Ridge Runner competition. Several "Renegades" are
expected from out of town for the After Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout on Saturday, November
24.