Kansas City, Mo (05/20/2020) Like most racing series, 2020 isn’t starting off very well. The Covid-19 pandemic has put a stranglehold on all of racing. But we are finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. State by state, the restrictions are being lifted. Missouri is one of the few states that has allowed racing to resume. The POWRi Midwest Lightning Sprints season opener is scheduled for May 30th at the 3/8 mile I-35 Speedway in Winston, Mo. We have lost 4 point races and also the National Event scheduled at Belle Clair, Illinios. That leaves 17 races, as of now, on our schedule with a couple of non winged point races to be possibly added in the near future.
Along with the season opener we have 9 other races scheduled at I-35 Speedway, our home track. We lost 2 races in the early part of the schedule to coronavirus. We unfortunately lost 2 races at Lake Ozark Speedway also but still have 3 on the schedule. No word yet if the lost races will be rescheduled. We have a July 11th date at Valley Speedway with the POWRi National Midgets that should be a barn burner. August 1st sees us making a return visit to Neveda Speedway after a few years hiatus. Labor Day weekend sees us with a 2 race day special at the always racy Central Missouri Speedway.
The POWRi Midwest Lightning Sprints experienced a growth spurt in the last few years. And it looks like that momentum is continuing on in 2020 with the addition of some new drivers. The Rookie of the Year race once again looks to be a crowded field of talented drivers. Returning after competing in a few races at the end of last season is Emma Martin, Chase Fischer, Chasity Younger, and Patrick Enright. Newcomers this year will include Darin Woodward, Dustin Layne, Freddie Rowland, and Briar McGee. There is a good possibility that more will be added to this list.
With more competitors racing the Championship battle should be a good one. Bobby Layne is coming off back to back championships and is looking for a 3 peat. Beau Heavelow was the last to pull that off in 2009. Chasing Bobby will be a host of fast drivers who all have a shot at dethroning him. Jeff Bard and Kenny Bowers were nipping at his heels last year and are going to be fierce. 2016 Champion Mark Billings is always fast and can add another notch in his gun belt. First time winners last season Tyler Johnson, Stan Kreisel, and Tyler Murry are looking to add to their trophy collection and give chase for the big trophy at season’s end. Ken Billings, Jarron Falke, and Mike Tindel will also be giving chase hoping to be named Champion of 2020.
Dave Hammons is a former racer with MLS who has found his way back after purchasing a car in the off season. We hope to see Lincoln, Nebraska’s Tom Brown a few more times this year also. Former California Lightning Sprints competitors Dan and Nick Hillberg have relocated to Oklahoma and plan to race with us whenever they have time to make the haul north. There are a few other cars locally still that we hope will make it back out to a track with us too.
Article Credit: Chris Schofield