BATESVILLE, Ark. – A race track promoter by profession, Mooney Starr is also a pretty good meteorologist.
“The weather forecast is looking great for all four days and that’s another plus,” Starr said, ahead of opening night of the $50,000 to win Race for Hope 71 for IMCA Modifieds Sept. 22-25 at his Batesville Motor Speedway. “We’ve got a lot of cars coming from a lot of states, and a lot of fans coming to see who wins all that money.”
Early entries for the fifth annual special were in hand from across the United States and Canada. Home state and Midwestern drivers are well represented in those entries, with considerable complementation from the West Coast and the South.
“We added 85 loads of dirt (to the track surface) in July and the racing has been phenomenal,” said Starr. “This is going to be a great event.”
A portion of proceeds generated by Race For Hope, one of two $50,000 to win specials during Batesville’s 50th anniversary season, go to the Miracle League of Arkansas.
The Saturday, Sept. 25 Race For Hope main event purse is more than $120,000 with a minimum of $1,500 paid to start. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Jet Racing Central Region and KMJ Performance Arkansas State points will be given for the Fast Shafts All-Star qualifier.
Fifteen heat races and qualifying features are on race programs Wednesday through Friday, with the top nine drivers from each qualifier advancing to the main event. “B,” “C” and “D” features will be run each night for points. The main event field will be filled by a final “B” feature on Saturday.
A weekly pit pass is $130, with daily rates $35 Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and $40 on Saturday.
Grandstand admission is $15 on Wednesday and Thursday, and $20 Friday and Saturday. Gates open at 2 p.m. Wednesday and at 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The grandstand opens at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m. each night.
More information is available by calling 870 613-1337.
The $50,000 to win World IMCA Stock Car Championships presented by IMCA.TV is Oct. 13-16 at Batesville.