Sunday will be the 10th running of the Alphabet Soup Race at I-80 Speedway, and this year there is a new ingredient in the Soup.
In addition to Soup regulars — the Midwest Late Model Racing Association and the National Championship Racing Association — promoter Ed Kosiski has added the Corn Belt Clash.
The Corn Belt Clash evolved to replace the World Dirt Racing League, CBC founder Cam Granger said.
“The fans in Iowa wanted to continue to see super late model racing,” Granger said. “I started the CBC to have a series that allows everyone to race together — the IMCA, Wissota, open late models, with some body and weight alterations. With the crate and spec late models catching on like they did, we approached our sponsors to help move this to a super late model-type series.”
What started in 2009 as a series with just five races in northeast Iowa has grown into a series with more than 20 races on its 2011 schedule that will take place in four states. The 2010 CBC series champion was Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa. Simpson is no stranger to the I-80 Speedway, having nearly pulled off a win in the exciting Soup race of 2009.
Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan., a seven-time MLRA champion and two-time NCRA champion, is the points leader once again in both series. A-Mods and NASCAR Hornets will also race Sunday at I-80. For more information, go to www.neracewaypark.com.
Enduro in Hastings
There will be action Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Motorsport Park Hastings on the east edge of Hastings, Neb. The National Auto Sports Association will be in town for high-performance driving events on Saturday and Sunday, and Memorial Day is the big six-hour enduro starting at 8 a.m. and going until 2 p.m.
Drivers in the enduro race must pay close attention to detail. Teams can take only five gallons of fuel, change one tire and change drivers during pit stops that last at least seven minutes. If drivers leave too soon, they get a penalty. If they leave the track for any reason, they get a stop-and-go penalty.
“It’s not as much about speed as it is gas mileage, very consistent laps and saving the brakes and tires,” said George Anderson, the track’s general manager.
The event pays $1,000 to win and is free to the public. For more information, go to www.racemph.com.
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