The UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour is just about to start its grueling 2015 campaign. The highly popular series runs 28 different events over the course of just 32 days. It all begins on Wednesday, June 10 at Brownstown (IN) Speedway and ends on Saturday, July 11 at Oakshade (OH) Raceway. For fans in Northern Kentucky and Southern Illinois, they mark Friday, June 26 on their calendars, as their opportunity to see the cars and stars at Paducah International Raceway, in Paducah, KY.
The Summer Nationals began back in 1986 with John Gill claiming the first championship. Scott Bloomquist, Billy Moyer, Bob Pierce, Rick Aukland, Don O’Neal, and Shannon Babb have all claimed championships. In fact, Babb has claimed four of the last ten championships, including last years. The all-time win leader on the tour is Moyer with 89, while Babb has 87, O’Neal 39, Bloomquist 28, and Aukland 23.
Last year’s event at Paducah was canceled due to rain. With the tight schedule, it was not made up during the course of the Summer National season, though a big Late Model race was rescheduled for later in the year. Billy Moyer was the most recent tour winner at Paducah, claiming the top prize back in 2013. Looking at other winners the last few years at Paducah, Brian Birkhofer(2012), Ray Cook(2011), Billy Moyer(2010), and Billy Moyer(2009) have claimed victories.
The Friday, June 26 event at Paducah will pay $10,000 to win, while the series champion will receive $25,000. The night’s action will also be highlighted by a Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals race, paying $1,000 to the winner.
Pits open on June 26 at 2:00, grandstands at 3:00, and racing action will start at 7:30. Grandstand admission is $25 for adults, while children 11 and under are $5.
For more information on upcoming events at PIR, visit paducahracing.com or visit them on FaceBook at facebook.com/paducahracing. For upcoming special events promoted by Track Enterprises, visit trackenterprises.com.