HUGOTON, Kansas — Ten dates are on the tentative schedule next season at Dirtona Raceway, for IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.
Opening night is slated for May 1 at Hugoton. Final point races for both newly-sanctioned classes at the southwest Kansas speedplant will be Aug. 28.
“All the tracks around here are already IMCA, so we’re kind of out here by ourselves,” said promoter Millie Heger, also president and treasurer of the Stevens County Racing Association, which oversees events at the 3/8-mile dirt venue. “We felt if we went with IMCA we could get more drivers who are racing for points.”
The complete schedule will be announced after Heger meets with Ed Beckley, promoter at Liberal Fairgrounds Speedway and Dodge City Raceway Park.
Dirtona will be part of the ButlerBuilt Central Region for Modifieds and the Jet Racing Northern Region for Stock Cars.
“Dirtona is a good addition to both regions,” noted IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root. “It partners well with both Liberal and Dodge City.”
Eight race programs were held at Hugoton this year. Modified rules were already nearly identical to IMCA’s; factory stock drivers will have a single-season transition period to comply with sanctioned Stock Car rules.
Construction of a new pit shack and new bathrooms in the pit area have top priority before the start of the new season. Painting, the addition of a beer garden and activities for young race fans are also planned.
“There’s always something that needs to be done,” Heger said.
