BATESVILLE, Ark. (Sept. 26) – Practice and time trials get underway tonight (Tuesday) before IMCA Modified drivers from across the United States and Canada get down to the business of qualifying for the inaugural Race For Hope 74 at Batesville Motor Speedway.
The Sept. 26-30 Mark and Arlene Martin Hope For Arkansas Foundation Race For Hope 74 calls attention to the needs of others while paying the biggest main event purse in division history. The winner of Saturday’s main event earn a $20,000 share of the $150,000 main event purse.
Pre-entered drivers now include:
Chad Andersen, Fort Calhoun, Neb.; Drew Armstrong, Alexander; Robby Arnold, Paragould; Chadd Avey, Judsonia; Jason Beaulieu, Campbell River, B.C.; Mikey Bell, Quitman; Wayne Brooks, Bald Knob; Aaron Carr, Judsonia; Chris Carter, Redfield; Timmy Culp, Prattsville; Robert Davis, Searcy; Myron DeYoung, Stanton, Mich.; Travis Dickson, Gallipolis, Ohio; Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, Calif.; Tyler Droste, Waterloo, Iowa; and Tommy Fain, Abilene, Texas.
Casey Findley, Bryant; Scott Fitzpatrick, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Neal Flowers, Hobbs, N.M.; Kelsie Foley, Tucson, Ariz.; Bill Frye, Greenbrier; Joey Gee, Judsonia; Dennie Gieber, Frankston, Texas; Ryan Gilmore, Republic, Mo.; J.T. Goodson, Bryant; William Gould, Calera, Okla.; Jordan Grabouski, Beatrice, Neb.; Heath Grizzle, Drasco; and John Hansen, Brush, Colo.
Brint Hartwick, Quitman; Chris Hawkins, Neosho, Mo.; Terry Henson, Benton; Shelby Holderfield, Denison, Texas; Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas; Kris Jackson, Lebanon, Mo.; Greg Jenkins, Hobbs, N.M.; Justin Jurgens, Cortland, Neb.; Justin Kay, Wheatland, Iowa; Kurt Kile, Nichols, Iowa; Gavin Landers, Batesville; Cody Laney, Torrance, Calif.; and Cody Leonard, Sinton, Texas.
Kris Lloyd, Paragould; Justin McCoy, Waxahachie, Texas; Mike McKinney, Alexander; Kayden Menasco, Muldrow, Okla.; Richard Michael Jr., Ischua, N.Y.; Brian Mullen, Seymour, Wis.; Mike Mullen, Suamico, Wis.; Jacob Murray, Hartford, Iowa; Tyler Newcom, Jonesboro; Jamie Newton, Carlsbad, N.M.; Clay Norris, Searcy; Mark Norris, Searcy; and Nick O’Neil, Tucson, Ariz.
John Parmeley, Phoenix, Ariz.; Eric Perry, Ward; Mike Petersilie, Hoisington, Kan.; Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.; Bill Pittaway, Corpus Christi, Texas; Will Poston, Midland, Texas; Chett Reeves, Bakersfield, Calif.; Jesse Richter, Great Bend, Kan.; Chuck Sanders, Mabelvale; Troy Schaberg, Amity; Aaron Scroggins, Neosho, Mo.; Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa; and Scott Sluka, Fairbanks, Alaska.
Ricky Stephan, South Sioux City, Neb.; Tyler Stevens, Jacksonville; Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, N.C.; Kevin Sustaire, Emory, Texas; Regan Tafoya, Farmington, N.M.; Jeff Taylor, Cave City; Peyton Taylor, Desha; Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.; Richie Tosh, Salado; Jordan Turner, Batesville; Wendell Wallace, Batesville; Shawn Walsh, Ash Flat; Billy Ward, Cobleskill, N.Y.; Will Ward, Cobleskill, N.Y.; Jason Wilkey, Batesville; and Burl Woods, Republic, Mo.
Fifteen heat races will be held each night with the top eight drivers from each qualifying feature transferring to the big show on Saturday. Non-transfers get $1,500 for ninth down to $200 for 30th.
Both the Race of States, featuring the fastest car from each state that does not qualify for the main event, and the Manufacturers’ race, featuring the fastest non-qualifying car built by each manufacturer represented, pay $1,000 to win and a minimum of $200 to start on Saturday.
The 74-lap main event is a qualifier for the 2018 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. The race will be halted for a fuel stop on lap 40.
Twenty-seven cars will comprise the main event and a minimum of $2,000 will be paid to start.
Presenting sponsor is Sweet Manufacturing. All IMCA rules will apply and IMCA officials are in charge of tech inspection.
Pit gates open at 3 p.m. each day, grandstands open at 5:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m.
Spectator admission is free tonight, $20 Wednesday through Friday and $25 on Saturday. Pit passes are $20 tonight, $30 Wednesday through Friday and $40 on Saturday. A weekly pit pass is $125.
Pit gates open at 3 p.m. each day, grandstands open at 5:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m.
Spectator admission is free tonight, $20 Wednesday through Friday and $25 on Saturday. Pit passes are $20 tonight, $30 Wednesday through Friday and $40 on Saturday. A weekly pit pass is $125.
Mission of the Mark and Arlene Martin Hope for Arkansas Foundation is to improve the quality of life for children and families across the state with an emphasis on Batesville and Independence County.
This year, the foundation will provide financial assistance to the Community Enrichment Organization as it works to provide shelter and rehabilitation to the homeless in the area.
The event will be broadcast by IMCATV.