All Eyes on Oklahoma This Weekend
This weekend presents a different challenge of sorts, as both the Heartland Promotions owned, regional tours square off in a Memorial Day weekend twin bill. Friday, the Heartland Modified Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels and American Racer Modified Series Presented by Day Motorsports put down roots at Arrowhead Speedway in Colcord, OK. Saturday the show heads 40 miles west to the Salina High Banks Speedway in Salina, Oklahoma.
Both events will be full point shows for each tour and USRA National Points will also be accumulated. Joe Duvall is helping promote the weekend, dubbed, “Joe Duvall's Funkadelic Dirt Track and Honytonk Extravaganza!”
For the past several seasons, Duvall has helped promote a few races annually and he always has a thing or two up his sleeve as well as added benefits for the racers.
“It's kind of been just goodwill on my part,” commented Duvall of his decision to get involved.. “Honestly it's something any racer could do. I seek out sponsorship and do everything I can to let folks know there's a race happening. I want to help build Mod racing up in my area especially.”
This weekend marks he first time his events have taken place on Memorial Day weekend. Typically in the area, the calendar is clear or nearly clear for the Show Me 100, however Lucas Oil Speedway removed Modifieds from the event, leaving a hole in the calendar for the division.
“I talked to Danny Lorton at Lucas Oil Speedway and got his blessing confirming the Modifieds would be off. Arrowhead and Salina have close proximity to each other. They also race on Friday's and run Mods weekly. We don't have a ton of Friday options. Hopefully we get an extra bump in fans for this deal. This is truly a special event for Salina, with them not racing Modifieds anymore. The place is excellent and setup for these deals. I love racing in my backyard too.”
Duvall had another thing up his sleeve this go around as well. He wanted to get pre race engagement built up. He called on several friends to film and share selfie style videos with all of the event details.
“I reached out to some folks sent a little script, but told them to be creative and have fun with it,” he said. “People were so receptive, it reaffirms that this is good and pure and people love dirt racing. It's kind of humbling to look at the network of contacts I have and see what they are capable of. It's really cool. I appreciate each one of them taking the time to make it happen.”
The Heartland Modfieid Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels has been hard at it the last two weekends, running three events. Darron Fuqua currently sits at the top of the standings. Over on the American Racer Modified Series Presented by Day Motorsports side, they have sat idle for a bit. Gary Christian currently is leading the way, however that is likely to change as he is scheduled to race with USMTS this coming weekend.
Racing is slated to get under way at 8 PM Friday and 7 PM Saturday. These two shows will be the only time both series run in unison during the 2024 season.
The Heartland Modified Tour Presented by Real Racing Wheels would like to thank their 2024 season long partners.
Gold Partners - ARMI Contractors, Day Motorsports, Hochatown Saloon, Kenny's Tile, Midwest Sheet Metal, RacinDirt.com, Real Racing Wheels, S&S Fishing and Rental, VP Racing Fuels Heartland, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products
Silver Partners – American Racer Tires, Central Spray Foam & Cement Lifting, Duvall Electric, Fast Shafts, Freight Logistics Inc., Integra Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, Milburn Property LLC, One4 Motorsports, Rick Beebe Heating and Air Conditioning
Bronze Partners – Charlie Williams Painting, Fowler Locomotive Sales, Lassiter Construction, Transmissions Unlimited, Victory Vault
2024 HMT Point Fund
1. $7,500
2. $4,500
3. $3,500
4. $3,000
5. $2,500
6. $2,400
7. $2,300
8. $2,200
9. $2,100
10. $2,000
*80 Percent attendance required to remain point fund eligible*