The 5th Annual Josh Burton Memorial takes the green flag at Bloomington Speedway on Friday. This is a night that has earned its reputation for fast, close racing, while paying tribute to a fine young racer and his family. The night is headlined by the Midwest Sprint Car Series, and includes UMP Modifieds, Super Stocks and Bloomington’s Hornets.
While the MSCS feature is advertised as $2,500-to-win, the night’s payoff is expected to exceed that amount, with many bonuses and surprises thrown in as the night goes along. It is known that there will be single car qualifying, with the fastest driver collecting a $1,000 bonus from Eddie Gilstrap Motors in Salem, in memory of Calvin Gilstrap. And if the track record is broken, Bedford’s B&B Auto Brokers is kicking in an additional $500.
The sprint car feature winner will receive a very special Henry rifle, courtesy of Bloomington’s Four Seasons Gun Shop. This is a prize that quite a few racers have been yearning to add to their trophy case for the past four years. Originally patented in 1860 as the first lever action repeating rifle, Henry rifles have been nationally recognized from their use in the Civil War to today’s more modern lever action firearms. From one of the nation’s top five long gun manufacturers, this is truly a unique and special award. Also, if the winning car has a halo bar properly installed, they will receive a $1,000 bonus. Additional prizes will be paid throughout the racing field, as an example, the fourth place finisher will take home a $1,000 bonus, again posted by B&B Auto Brokers.
Bloomington’s event is the first of three in a busy Memorial Day weekend for the MSCS competitors as they travel to Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville on Saturday, and Haubstadt’s Tri-State Speedway for Sunday racing. After three events, Carson Short leads the MSCS points, trailed by Brandon Mattox, Donny Brackett, Aric Gentry and in fifth, Kevin Thomas Jr., who captured two wins already. Stephen Schnapf claimed the third MSCS event win. They will be challenged by Bloomington’s Tom White & Company Realtor Sprint Cars, where Kyle Cummins and Jeff Bland Jr. scored wins, and Dave Darland took the USAC feature in April. Bland is the current point leader, with Jordan Kinser second, followed by defending MSCS champ Brady Short.
The payoff for the AJ Bowlen Realtor with REMAX Acclaimed Properties UMP Modifieds and the Brandeis Machinery Super Stock features have been increased to $1,000 to win, and the Hornets have been boosted to $250 by additional bonuses. In addition to the bonuses that will be paid to the racers, there will also be many souvenirs for the fans as raffles will be conducted throughout the evening. Josh Burton Memorial shirts will be for sale, with all proceeds going back into the Memorial race. There will also be a number of surprises announced during the night.
The grandstand gates will open at 5:30 for the Josh Burton Memorial, with hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7:30. General admission is $20 and kids 12 and under are free with an adult. The pit gate will open at 4:30 and pit passes are $30.
- Mike O'Leary on May 22, 2018
- Article Date: 5/22/2018