(Bill W) May 9, 2011 – It would be hard to envision a better story than the opener for the Monster Energy™ Sprint Series at the 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. The new 410 sprint series is ready to try to top it in “Round 2” on Friday, May 13 at the Jacksonville Speedway on the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Jacksonville, Illinois! And now, the winner will be paid a total of $2,500!
Promoter Bobby Hawks has upped his ante by guaranteeing $2,000 to the feature winner on Friday, and Advance Glass in Springfield, Illinois has posted a $500 bonus for the winner! Coz’s Pizza of Springfield is the presenting sponsor, and will also be contributing to an increased purse! Drivers have responded to the increase, and the result is another star-studded field of sprinters ready to tame the banked ¼ mile bullring in Jacksonville!
Four-time Indy 500 participant Donnie Beechler, and two-time Badger Midget series champion, Mike Hess, will make their initial appearances with the series and add instant credibility to the roster. Veteran Jim Moughan Jr. and defending Jacksonville Speedway track champion, AJ Bruns, have already tamed the high banks this season for wins, and both will be tough to beat.
“Showtime” Kaley Gharst lived up to his moniker at 34 Raceway in the series’ opener by charging from 18th to 2nd to bring the crowd to its feet! He is always exciting at Jacksonville as well. Former Jacksonville Speedway champions like Robbie Standridge and Korey Weyant, and two-time Sprint Invaders champion, Ryan Jamison, will add depth to the roster, as will young guns like Joey Moughan and defending St. Francois Count Raceway champion, Jimmy Hurley. The tentative driver roster is expected to grow, and will be updated as the week progresses, so check back often!
Pit gates open at 4:45 p.m., with Grandstands opening at 5:00 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with racing to follow. Pit Passes are $25, with Grandstand Admission $13. Children 12 and under are admitted FREE of charge.
To check out more information on the Rules and Procedures, Drivers, Schedules, Updates and More for the Monster Energy Sprint Car Series, visit the series’ website at www.MidwestOpenWheel.com!
Videos from Jacksonville Speedway and the Opener at 34 Raceway to Pump You Up for Friday!
The links…
http://www.youtube.com/user/rosswece?feature=chclk#p/u/3/HW-ZmvFWd-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cahLSTAPR_A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbN_xEAQ-vQ&feature=player_embedded
Tentative Jacksonville Driver Roster for May 13!
1m, Jim Moughan Jr., Springfield, IL
2K, Ryan Kempin, House Springs, MO
5, Tiffany Wyzard, Williamsville, IL
6, Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX
6R, Ryan Bunton, Morton, IL
10s, Jeremy Standridge, Springfield, IL
14, Donnie Beechler, Springfield, IL
14P, Kaley Gharst, Decatur, IL
21x, Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
22, Bret Tripplett, Mason City, IL
23, Robbie Standridge, Springfield, IL
28, Justin Springer, Pekin, IL
35, Jimmy Hurley, Springfield, IL
42, Cory Bruns, Lincoln, IL
44, AJ Bruns, Lincoln, IL
47, Brett Samonds, Springfield, IL
51, Mike Hess, Springfield, IL
51J, Ryan Jamison, Mediapolis, IA
52F, Logan Faucon, Elkhart, IL
53H, Matt Harms, Lacon, IL
65, Jordan Goldesberry, Springfield, IL
77u, Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL
83, Korey Weyant, Springfield, IL
84, Ben Wagoner, Emden, IL
95, Tommy Rockwell, Towanda, IL
96, Nathan Charron, Lincoln, IL
99, Jimmy Davies, Oquawka, IL
- Bill Wright on May 09, 2011
- Article Date: 5/9/2011 by Bill Wright