“Everything Dirt Racing 20” Pays $2,000 To Winner

By Jay Hardin
Track Enterprises Staff

Springfield, IL (September 12, 2019)-The postponement of the USAC Bettenhausen 100 in August to September 22 generated a bonus event for those returning to the Springfield Mile as the UMP DirtCar Modifieds will be joining the card for a Sunday afternoon doubleheader.  Modifieds competed at the Illinois State Fairgrounds as far back as 1992.  The first event as part of the Illinois State Fair lineup was in 2011 and coined the “Illini Dash”.  The Dash returns for edition number 3 on September 22.

Shelby Miles of Bloomington, Indiana captured the first Illini Dash on August 20, 2011 in a Saturday doubleheader with the Silver Crown machines.  Miles bested fellow Hoosier Joey Kramer (a multi-time winner of the Indyana Classic on the Hoosier mile), Jesse Snyder, Jeff Leka and Bobby Regot leading all 20 miles in the process.

Veteran Terry Messenger captured the second running in August of 2012 with Kramer again playing bridesmaid after leading the first 11 laps.  Snyder again was third with Ken Schrader fourth and fellow NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace fifth.  Schrader also set a one-lap track record in qualifications of nearly 115 miles an hour.

Schrader, Leka and Messenger are past winners of modified events on the Springfield Mile held in conjunction with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and as part of the Illinois Fall Nationals.

The mighty Modifieds return Sunday September 22 with a 20-mile feature on tap.  Practice for the Silver Crown Bettenhausen 100 begins at 10 a.m., with DIRTcar Modified practice following.  The 20-mile Illini Dash is slated immediately prior to the Bettenhausen 100.  The event will pay $2,000 to the winner and $200 to start.

“Everything Dirt Racing” a racing group on Facebook, has gathered lap sponsorships for the event at $25 each.  Each lap leader of the 20-lap affair will receive cash bonuses that could add up to $500.

Modified car pre-entry is available at no cost.  Any Modified that enters after the deadline will cost $75.

Entry forms and more information on the event are available at www.trackenterprises.com.