DirtonDirt Dispatches
Dispatches: Wildfire smoke cancels race events
Bedford Speedway cancelled Friday because of air quality conditions. (facebook.com/bedfordspeedway)
Among the latest notes and quotes from Dirt Late Model specials in mid-July, including regional special events (look for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series coverage of the Silver Dollar Nationals elsewhere):
Air quality issues
Dirt Late Model fans are used to having rainouts spoil a weekend, but in mid-July it’s air quality issues related to Canadian wildfires that are cancelling events in the Upper Midwest and beyond.
The Structural Buildings WISSOTA Challenge Series lost Friday’s Twin Ports Twin 25s at Gondik Law Speedway in Superior, Wis., among other track cancellations.
"We know how much anticipation surrounded tonight's Twin Ports Twin 25s, and this is certainly not the decision we wanted to make,” track promoter Joe Stariha said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the forecast shows the air quality is not expected to improve to the levels needed to safely conduct the event. We appreciate everyone's understanding and wanted to provide as much notice as possible for those making the trip.”
Bedford (Pa.) Speedway was among other Friday cancellations as tracks often deferred to local health agencies about the safety of being outside with so much smoke in the atmosphere.
Tracks planning to run Saturday put out alerts to check back on a decision about racing, but Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., posted a picture of blue skies ahead of Saturday’s $10,555-to-win Duane Mahder Memorial for Late Models, encourage fans to make plans to attend.
Other Saturday dirt tracks taking a wait-and-see approach were Crystal (Mich.) Motor Speedway and Merritt Speedway in Lake City, Mich., both hopefuly that southwest winds will push the smoke out of the state and improve the air quality.
“We are hopeful that conditions will improve over the next 24 hours, with the smoke clearing and the air quality reaching a safer level,” Merritt owner Mike Blackmer posted in saying the track will make a decision Saturday. “As of right now, the Air Quality Index (AQI) at Merritt Speedway is 256, which is considered very unhealthy. These conditions pose a significant health risk to our fans, drivers, officials, employees, and everyone attending the facility.
“The safety and well-being of our racing community will always be our highest priority. No racing event is worth putting anyone's health at risk." — Staff and track reports
Streaming schedule
Among upcoming Dirt Late Model special and sanctioned events available via live streaming:
Thursday, July 16
• Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Silver Dollar Nationals prelim at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa (FloRacing)
• Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals at Modoc (S.C.) Speedway (FloRacing)
Friday, July 17
• Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Silver Dollar Nationals prelims at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa (FloRacing)
• Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals at Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway (FloRacing)
• Jay’s Automotive United Late Model Series at Path Valley Speedway in Spring Run, Pa. (Dirt Rich TV)
• MARS Championship Series at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway (FloRacing)
• Comp Cams Super Dirt Series at Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove, Ark. (ArrowVision Live)
• Steel Block Nationals Limited Late Models at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Corbin, Ky. (Thunder Mountain Speedway TV)
• Structural Buildings WISSOTA Challenge Series Twin Port Twin 25s at Gondik Law Speedway in Superior, Wis. (Dirt Race Central)
• Nutrien Ag Solutions Revival Super Dirt Series at Hunt County Raceway in Greenville, Texas (RaceON)
• I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash. (Grays Harbor Raceway TV)
Saturday, July 18
• Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Silver Dollar Nationals at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa (FloRacing)
• Duane Mahder Memorial Limited Late Models at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. (DIRTVision)
• Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. (FloRacing)
• Comp Cams Super Dirt Series at Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove, Ark. (ArrowVision Live)
• Jay’s Automotive United Late Model Series at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway (PA Posse TV)
• MARS Championship Series at Charleston (Ill.) Speedway (FloRacing)
• Limited Late Model special at Wartburg (Tenn.) Speedway (Dirt Rich TV)
• Nutrien Ag Solutions Revival Super Dirt Series at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore, Okla. (IMCA TV)
• Red Clay Series at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. (FloRacing)
• Dirt Outlaws Late Model Racing Series at Pine Ridge Speedway in Guntown, Miss. (Crate Racin’ USA TV)
• I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash. (Grays Harbor Raceway TV)
Sunday, July 19
• Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals and Red Clay Series at Toccoa (Ga.) Raceway (FloRacing)
Tuesday, July 21
• FloRacing Night in America Series at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway (FloRacing)
• Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals and Red Clay Series at Senoia (Ga.) Raceway (FloRacing)
