CHILLICOTHE, OH --- Southern Ohio is about to be invaded by the national dirt Late Model superstars of dirt track racing when the Xtreme Dirt Car Series rolls into KC Raceway on Friday July 11 for the grand finale of the Ohio Late Model Speedweek as KC Raceway owner Jim Nier will host the MOPAR XTREME HEAT 50 that will also be featured on SPEED Channel, a national cable network. The extravaganza kicked off on Thursday July 3 at the Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, OH and was followed by a July 4 holiday show at Raceway 7 in Conneaut, OH. The next event will be held on Tuesday July 8 at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, OH with Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH picking up the Wednesday July 9 date. The series will finish off at KC Raceway in Chillicothe, OH on Friday July 11 with Saturday July 12 reserved as a rain date. The winner each night will receive $10,000 and the races will pay $700 to just start the main event.
“I am very excited about this race coming up and how could you not get excited about the biggest names in dirt Late Model racing coming to southern Ohio?” stated Jim Nier, a former Sprint Car star who purchased KC Raceway early last year. “There will be no more chances this year to see these guys. You read the papers and see them on TV and to know they are coming to the fastest track around it’s going to be sheer greatness.”
In addition, Nier’s KC Raceway will also get the national spotlight via SPEED Channel as the grand finale will be filmed and televised. Nier jumped at the chance when approached by Xtreme Dirt Car Series president Doug Bland.
“I was ecstatic,” said Nier. “When I was approached about getting it two weeks ago I jumped on the chance and I was fortunate to land Mopar as a sponsor for it and they came on board with both feet so we’ll really make it an event for them.”
Nier also realizes what an impact the SPEED Channel broadcast can have on Ohio dirt track racing.
“It legitimizes what we do,” explained Nier. “And that’s the media we need. That’s a page from NASCAR’s book. You get the national attention by putting it in front of them and to legitimize this deal we have to be on television. And it’s not just good for KC but it’s good for dirt track racing as well. "To get this television coverage suggests the impact this race will have on our immediate economy. This the only time any thing like this will happen this year. Its the only time all the national stars will have the chance to race against each other. Drivers from all the major dirt track sanctions will be here. Fans won't want to miss it."
So what can race fans expect Friday evening at KC Raceway?
“I’ll tell you, they should expect non-stop, door-to-door excitement,” offered Nier. “With the track prep the way it has been we have the best surface in the country. It’s super-smooth. Racy all night long and for the people who haven’t been to Chillicothe it’s a whole new experience for them. At KC they are always passing someone whether it’s lapping cars or going for position.”
Dirt Late Model teams from across the country will be in attendance, including top Xtreme teams like defending and two-time series champion Rick Eckert of York, PA, 1999 series champion Dale McDowell of Rossville, GA, four-time series champion Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN, Steve Francis of Ashland, KY, Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH, Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA, Jimmy Mars of Elk Mound,WI, Dan Schlieper of Pewaukee, WI, and Lucas Oil Rookie of the Year point leader Matt Miller of Waterville, OH.
"It's been a while since anything like this has been held for dirt Late Models and despite the current economic climate we felt we needed to give the fans what they have been asking for," stated Jim Nier, owner and promoter of KC Raceway. "We think this concept is viable and will be successful and we are already thinking ahead to next year. This year will be a year to get started and hopefully we can make this an annual special week and have seven tracks in seven nights. That's the ultimate goal. So we'll use this year as a barometer of sorts."
The series’ finale at KC Raceway on Friday July 11 will have tickets available at $30 for reserved seats (credit card orders welcomed) and $25 for adult general admission with children age 6-12 $5 and 5 and under free. Pits will be $35. Fans purchasing reserved tickets in advance are to call: 740-289-4114. The pits will open at 3:30 PM, grandstands at 4:30 PM with racing at 7:30 PM. Jim Nier’s KC Raceway is located at 2535 Blain Highway in Huntington Township in Waverly, OH near Chillicothe, OH. For information call 740.663-4141 (track) or 740-663-4143. Email the track at: kcraceway@hotmail.com The KC Raceway website is at: http://www.kc-raceway.com
