The end!

The end is near…no, not the end of this blog-one week from today I’ll have completed my college career. Now comes the real world, and the search for full time employment. Yikes! Right now, I’m not real sure where I’ll end up. I have a few things in the works, but nothing definite. So I’m going to forge ahead and figure out ways to improve Oval Operations for the 2008 season.

I feel like I’ve been a stranger to the local race scene the past few months, but with school out of the way, I’ll be ready to get the updates running again.

Speaking of which, here are a few, regarding ’08 schedules and other things.

-Knoxville Raceway was the first track that I saw to release their 2008 slate. With most of the area coated in ice, it warms me up to think ahead of balmy nights at the track next summer.

Knoxville’s practice night is Saturday, April 12th, with the first of 17 Championship Cup events the following Saturday, April 19th.

Special events in 2008 include the World of Outlaws on April 26th, the Masters Classic on May 30th, World of Outlaws on June 6-7, USAC Nationals Midgets June 20-21, 360 Nationals July 31-Aug. 2, the 48th Annual Knoxville Nationals August 6-9, and the 305 Sprint Championships September 25-27.

For more information, visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com.

-Eagle Raceway has released their 2008 schedule. The weekly program will remain the same. The open house and Icebreaker challenge will begin on Thursday, March 28 and run through the Saturday the 30th.

The regular 17 night weekly series begins on Saturday, April 19th. Special events include the Back Row Challenge, June 13th. The Eagle Nationals featuring the World of Outlaws, June 14th, ASCS North South Sprint Shootout on July 19th, and the season finale Nebraska Cup on September 7th.

Sadly, it looks as though there will be no monthly non-wing series.

For the complete schedule of events, visit www.eagleraceway.com.

-It’s being reported that Jay Jordan will be back behind the wheel in 2008. Jordan missed the latter part of the ’07 season after suffering injuries in a nasty non-wing crash at Eagle.

-Keeping with the schedule talk, if you’re a big World of Outlaw fan like me, you’ll have plenty of chances to see them around this area in 2008.

4/25-Huset’s Speedway
4/26-Knoxville Raceway
5/2-US 36 Raceway in Osborn, MO
6/3-Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia
6/6-6/7-Knoxville Raceway
6/13-Huset’s Speedway
6/14-Eagle Raceway
9/12-Clay County Fairgrounds, Spencer, IA
9/13-Heartland Park in Topeka

You can also see the Outlaws at the 48th Annual Knoxville Nationals, August 6-9.

For the entire 2008 World of Outlaws tour, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

-In other Outlaw news, Advance Auto Parts will be the title sponsor for the series in 2008. Now if the IRL could find a title sponsor…

-It’s getting closer to January, and that means one thing: Tulsa! The 22nd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals runs from January 8-12. Hopefully we’ll enjoy warmer weather this year. Stay tuned…

As of today, there are already 234 team pre-entered, with more to come. It’s already a stellar line-up, including four previous winners, Sammy Swindell, Tracy Hines, Cory Kruseman, and Tony Stewart.

Local drivers include Don Droud Jr., Ryan Durst, and Tadd Holliman. Look for possible entries from Jack and Trish Dover as well.

If you can’t make it to Tulsa this year, you can order the event on PPV.

For the updates on the pre-entry list and other information check out www.chilibowl.com.

-Speaking of Jack and Trish Dover, there are rumors that Team Dover may run more 360 shows in 2008, including the ASCS National tour. Information about their team can be found at www.teamdover.com.

-For you old school fans, Paul McMahan will drive a car owned by hall of fame driver Rick Ferkel. The car will carry Ferkel’s famous orange 0 for a number, and run with the All Stars and other 410 events.

-In USAC news, there are rumblings changes in the silver crown series. Several teams fielding the new generation pavement cars have put their equipment up for sale. USAC is under new leadership, and a change could be in the works.

One version of the story is perhaps they’ll scrap the new generation cars altogether and run the old formula. The second theory consist a mix of old and new. The “old” silver crowns on dirt and paved tracks one mile and smaller, and the new cars on paved tracks 1.5 miles and larger.

-Preparations have begun for the 7th Annual Midwest Racers Autograph Day. The event will be held in Lincoln on April 5th. Hopefully we’ll enjoy warmer temps this year! More details on this event to follow.

And Finally...

It's good to be back!