USMTS/SLMR Summer Shootout Canceled Due to Weekend Forecast
WEBSTER CITY, Iowa — Officials from Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wisconsin, have informed both USMTS and SLMR officials that this weekend’s Summer Shootout has been canceled due to the expected weather forecast.
The event was scheduled to bring together some of the best Modified and Late Model drivers in the country for three nights of racing action. With rain chances exceeding 70 percent on both Thursday and Friday, and Saturday’s racing dependent on how much precipitation falls during the first two days of the weekend, track officials made the difficult decision to cancel the event in advance.
With practice scheduled for Wednesday evening and many teams planning to leave for Wisconsin as early as Tuesday, officials felt a decision needed to be made now rather than waiting until later in the week. Track officials have been closely monitoring the weather forecast since last Friday, and unfortunately the chances of rain and projected rainfall have continued to increase with each update.
“With the forecast and the travel expenses involved, it only makes sense to not have drivers and fans make the trip for three days and possibly only get one night of racing in,” track promoter Bob Timm said. “Drivers and fans do not need to spend money on travel and then not get to watch the event because of the weather.”
Track officials are currently exploring possible alternative dates for a one-day USMTS event. Any rescheduled date will be announced at a later time.
Everyone involved is disappointed, as the Summer Shootout was shaping up to be a tremendous show featuring many of the top Modified and Late Model drivers in the nation competing at the same facility.
The Summit Racing Equipment USMTS presented by RacinDirt.com will now shift its focus to the 27th Annual Masters at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin, on June 11-13. The second Crown Jewel event of the USMTS season will pay $3,000 to win on Thursday, $5,000 to win on Friday and $12,000 to win on Saturday, with Saturday's championship finale paying $900 to start.
Mississippi Thunder Speedway will also be dark next weekend to allow teams the opportunity to travel to Cedar Lake Speedway for the Masters. The next event at Mississippi Thunder Speedway is scheduled for Friday, June 19.
The SLMR Series will return to action the following weekend with events in Darlington, Wisconsin, and Decorah, Iowa.