The Willow Springs Speedway will present the last of their Sunday afternoon winter racing schedule, March 7th, and they're going to do it in very grand fashion with the Hooper 100 late model race. The weekend will also feature action from the legend, factory four, mini stock, street stock, hobby/pure stock, sport compact and figure eight divisions. Another big aspect to this special weekend will be the racer swap which will be held on Saturday. This exciting weekend is being presented by BWS, Beyond Willow Speedway, Promotions. The quarter mile paved oval is a integral part of the mammoth Willow Springs International Motorsports Park located in Rosamond-California.
The Hooper 100 late model race features a $1000 winner's check and that has generated a lot of interest and pre entries. The $1000 winner's share of the purse was based on a minimum 18 entries according to BWS officials who in recent days were happy to announce that they had already received 26 pre race entries with the possibility of more coming in this weekend.
That means Sunday's qualifying session is going to become a very intense affair because the race is limited to 22 starters. It also means that the B main will likely become an automotive slug fest for drivers wanting to clinch those final starting berths.
There's also some bonus money involved in the Hooper 100 outside of the race purse. The fast time qualifying award is being presented by A To Z Custom Graphics plus there's a $100 bonus for the driver who sets that time sponsored by Fred and Glo Gormley. There's also an additional $150 bonus for any late model driver who breaks the late model division track record during qualifying. Additionally, the fastest group of qualifiers will be racing in the trophy dash for a $100 bonus sponsored by Hooper's Rear Ends.
But the bonus program that has generated the most excitement for the Hooper 100 is the posted lap money. Approximately 38 sponsors, many of them racing families, have put up $10 per lap and that has added an additional $1,000 to an already lucrative late model purse.
But there's another, highly personal, reason why the late model car count is so healthy for Sunday's race. It's Richard Hooper. Everyone wants to play some role in this event to show their respect for the man. When it comes to stock car racing in the southwestern United States, Hooper remains a genuine icon. His on track feats, and the stats that came with them, is also legendary.
There was a world of difference between Richard Hooper on the track and off the track. In the midst of a race, Hooper would fight you tooth and nail to pass you for position. He was the personification of the term hard racing and anyone who competed against him quickly learned that fact.
Off the track there was a totally different image. Richard Hooper was a true friend to every racer he met in life. Whether it was advice to the sport's newcomers or helping an established team with parts and sponsorship programs, Hooper truly cared about his fellow racers. It's not surprising at all that a special race held in his honor has generated so much interest.
The Willow Springs Speedway weekend begins on Saturday morning with the racer's swap meet. It's an excellent source for race car parts for those who are getting prepared for the upcoming spring racing season. It's also an opportunity for fans to visit with drivers. There's also a test and tune session for the drivers and teams on Saturday from 10am to 4 pm. Sunday race day is filled with final practice, qualifying and of course the racing action from eight different racing divisions which gets underway at 12 noon.
For complete details dial up www.beyondwillowspeedway.com or contact Jon at 805 503 9985 or Ralph at 760 977 0791. You can also email officials at bws@winning.com
