MERIDIAN, Idaho — Many of the biggest names in Treasure Valley motorsports and beyond will be out to have some fun and win a load of cash during Saturday night’s Smoke, Steam & Cash Enduro 250 at ASA-sanctioned Meridian Speedway.
"Winner is guaranteed ,000, and the entire purse is set at ,500."
Nearly 50 racers have entered Hornets for the 250-lap race on the paved quarter-mile oval. The winner is guaranteed $2,000, and the entire purse is set at $4,500.
In addition to the thrilling marathon for the four-cylinders, the Thunder Dogs will run another wacky race to decide the series championship. The Catfish, driven by John Pinkston of Meridian, Idaho, leads the points chase, but several spinout bonus races down the stretch tightened up the standings. The Sledgehammer (Dave Jolley of Nampa, Idaho) is 337 points back, and IP Freely (Bryan Duvall of Kuna, Idaho) made a big jump, gaining three spots to third place in the waning weeks of the season.
The gates open at 4 p.m. with racing at 6:30 p.m.
Admission is $6, and children 6 and younger get in free.
Fans can buy tickets online at www.meridianspeedway.com, print them off at home and avoid the long lines on race night.
For more information, visit www.meridianspeedway.com or call (208) 888-2813.
The Smoke, Steam & Cash Enduro 250 entry list looks like a who’s-who not only of Hornets racing but pretty much any division that raced at Meridian in 2011. Several drivers from Twin Falls also are scheduled to make the tow.
Current and former Meridian Speedway champions are on the entry list, including Art Heath of Nampa, Colton Nelson and Johnny Giesler of Meridian, Idaho, and Josh Parkkila, Larry Hull III, and Joe Ransom of Boise, Idaho.
A former NASCAR regional standout, Eddie McKean of Jerome, Idaho, and Carbon X Rocky Mountain Challenge Series driver John Newhouse of Twin Falls, Idaho, will lead a strong Magic Valley contingent into the race.
While the season for pavement cars may end Saturday, Meridian Speedway’s dirt season continues Oct. 21-22 with the first installment of Al Russell’s Dirty Cup. The two-day race will feature outlaw karts on a high-banked dirt oval. For more information, visit www.meridianspeedway.com or call the track.
Meridian Speedway
2011 points standings
Championship to be decided Saturday
Thunder Dogs — 1. The Catfish (John Pinkston, Meridian, Idaho), 1,920 points; 2. The Sledgehammer (Dave Jolley, Nampa, Idaho), 1,563 points; 3. IP Freely (Bryan Duvall, Kuna, Idaho), 1,358; 4. Big Tuna (Stan Irons, Boise, Idaho), 1,307; 5. IP Freely Too (Nick Forsea, Kuna, Idaho), 926; 6. Buzz Kill (John Wortendyke and Jimmy Miller), 886; 7. Screaming Keegan (Cory Keegan, Meridian, Idaho; Chris Carlson, Boise, Idaho), 881; 8. Twisted Metal (Richard Scott, Meridian), 752; 9. Fare Lady (Kennon Irons, Boise, Idaho), 687; 10. Bucket List (Rob Bean, Kuna, Idaho), 465
