33rd Annual Red Clay Classic Results
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ABC Raceway to Host 33rd Red Clay Classic
by Nick Gima
Ashland, WI -- The ABC Raceway will proudly host its 33rd annual Red Clay Classic on Friday and Saturday, September 26-27.
One of the region’s longest-running and most prestigious end-of-season dirt-track stock car racing events will feature WISSOTA-sanctioned late models, modifieds and super stocks in a complete two-day event. As many as 200 competitors are expected to vie for a total cash purse in excess of $70,000.
As WISSOTA’s premier division, the late models bring the highest speeds and some of the Midwest’s most talented drivers to the three-eighths-mile northern Wisconsin red-clay oval for the second time this season. Upwards of 50 drivers could make the trip to Ashland for their chance at one of the most coveted victories in all of WISSOTA, which will pay $4,000 to win and $350 to start.
In addition, the top two finishers in each of the late model heat races will be invited to compete in a “pole dash,” from which the finishing order will determine the first few rows of the starting line-up for the headline 50-lap A-feature. The pole dash will pay $500 to win and $100 to start.
All non-qualifiers in the late model division will be paid a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $300, based on their efforts in the B-features.
Rick Hanestad of Boyceville took the lead with 12 laps remaining and captured last year’s victory.
The modified portion of the Classic will once again be the basis for the championship round of the Como Oil & Propane Modified Series. Over 60 drivers from WISSOTA’s high-powered open-wheeled ranks are expected to compete for a shot at the $3,000-to-win, $275-to-start 35-lap A-main.
The Como Series, nearing the completion of its third season, will also pay out $30,000 to the top 15 in the final points standings after the seventh and final event is held in Ashland, including a first-place check of $7,500, in addition to several thousand dollars worth of contingency prizes.
Four-time ABC Raceway mod champ Al Uotinen of Superior will lead a heated Series points battle heading into Red Clay Classic weekend.
A $200-to-win pole dash will also be run for the mods to determine the line-up of the front rows of their feature. The number of pole dash competitors will be contingent on the total car count and number of heat races run.
Modified non-qualifiers will take home checks from $90 to $225 after the B-features have been run.
A very emotional Jody Bellefeuille of Duluth, MN, won only his second modified feature to that time - and certainly the biggest of his career - a year ago.
WISSOTA super stocks generally number the highest at the Classic, with car counts reaching upwards of 80-90 on a regular basis in years past. A 30-lap feature paying $1,500 to win and $200 to start should once again draw a stout contingent.
Those drivers that are unfortunate enough to miss out on the big-money show will still be rewarded with checks ranging from $75 to $175 for their finishes in the B-mains.
Curt Myers of Cameron, who is vying for this year’s WISSOTA super stock national championship, fought early and often before holding on for his first RCC win in 2007.
In addition to the normal payouts, a $150 bonus will be paid to the driver who posts the fastest timed lap in each of the three features, based on the electronic scoring and timing system that will be used for the main events.
Fans will appreciate that the grandstand admission prices have not changed from recent years. Adult tickets remain at $15 for Friday’s show and $20 for Saturday, with two-day passes available for just $30. Younger fans ages 6-12 can get in to the main grandstand for just $8 per day, or for $15 on a two-day pass.
A limited number of reserved grandstand seats are still available and include full race-weekend access for just $10 more than the price of a regular two-day pass, for either adults or kids. For more information on these, please call (715) 682-2672 on Monday-Friday from 6-9 pm, or send an e-mail to abctickets06@yahoo.com.
Also available are a limited number of reserved primative campsites on the Raceway grounds, at a price of just $25 for the weekend. Fans can call the same number for campsites as for reserved tickets.
Racers wishing to reserve pit spots are invited to call (715) 682-5409 Monday-Friday from 6-8 pm. Pit passes are $25 per day, and the driver entry fee is $30 for mods and $25 for supers. Late model driver entry fee and pit pass is sponsored, so late model drivers get in FREE. Racers also must compete in Friday’s heats in order to be eligible for Saturday’s semi-feature and feature action.
All fans and racers are asked to show respect for the Raceway’s long-standing policy by not bringing nor operating four-wheelers and other ATVs onto the Raceway property.
On Friday, the track grounds and pit area will open at 1 pm, the grandstands will open at 3:30, hot laps start at 6 and green-flag action will begin at 7 pm, featuring all heat races and the late model pole dash.
On Saturday the track will host its annual four-person-scramble golf tournament at the Chequamegon Bay Golf Course beginning at 9:30 am. At the track, the pits and grounds will open at noon, the grandstands will open at 2:30 pm, and the racing action will commence at 5, with all semi-features and the three big A-mains.
The modified pole dash will be run on Friday if time permits; otherwise it will take place on Saturday.
Pre-race radio coverage will provide up-to-date track news and weather information on both nights. On Friday “Race Night” will air on WBSZ, 93.3 FM, from 4-5:30 pm, and on Saturday the show airs on WJJH, 96.7 FM, from 3:30-4:30 pm.
A rain date of Sunday, September 28, will be used if needed. In the event of inclement weather the racers will run for a percentage of the gate.
The ABC Raceway is located 3-1/2 miles south of Ashland on State Highway 13 and one mile west on Butterworth Road. For raceday information call (715) 682-4990. | 