MARS, ULMS postpone opening events
The MARS Racing Series and Zimmer's United Late Model Series have postponed their season-opening weekends as most dirt racing events continue to heed warnings of limited large gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
New MARS owner Tony Izzo didn't immediately announce a makeup date for the ninth annual Thaw Brawl at Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. The March 27-28 event was highlighted by a $12,000-to-win feature.
ULMS planned to open the season March 20-22 with an event at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., followed by a doubleheader at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway. All three events were postponed but no makeup dates were announced.
“We understand these are trying times and we want to do our part in ensuring our fellow Pennsylvanians remain healthy and safe and look forward to returning to racing when we can,” Port Royal officials posted in a news release.
Among other schedule announcements regarding the pandemic:
Springfield Raceway: The Missouri oval, citing the outbreak and weather, postponed Saturday’s seventh annual March Madness, which included a $4,000-to-win event for unsanctioned Super Late Models. No makeup date was announced.
Lancaster Motor Speedway: Citing state requirements, the South Carolina oval scratched March 21 action.
East Lincoln Motor Speedway: The $1,200-to-win opener on the Blue Ridge Outlaw Late Model Series was postponed; no makeup date was announced. The series plans to shift its season opener to April 4 at Lake View (S.C.) Motor Speedway.
Viginia Motor Speedway: The Saluda, Va., track, scheduled to open April 4, has indefinitely postponed the start of the season.
East Bay Raceway Park: The Gibsonton, Fla., track cancelled its March 20 banquet along with March 21 and 28 racing programs. The track will tentatively reopend April 4 with the $2,500-to-win Donnie Tanner Memorial for Crate Late Models.
Canyon Speedway Park: The Peoria, Ariz., track cancelled events for the remainder of March, including March 21's Southwest Dirt Racing Association event; no makeup date was announced and the track plans to reopen April 11.
Hattiesburg Speedway: The Mississippi track cancelled March 20's program, which includes Newsome Crate Late Models.
