?#Restore44? - The Sixth and Final Volume
Cody Morris I44 Riverside Speedway Public Relations Friday, July 26th - Oklahoma City, OK
Part 1 of 3 - Mini Sprint Nationals - where will you be?
There are so many details to share let’s save the theatrics and jump right in.
I44 Riverside Speedway Captain Mark Banister and his crew have waged an epic and legendary battle in the past month to rebuild the last remaining auto racing venue in the OKC area.
Catch fence is done, speedway lights are in place (delayed 1 day due to a soggy Friday), and final repairs are being made to the score tower and track equipment.
Rumors seem to be afloat that there is a measure of doubt about the grand reopening of the speedway with the 14th Annual Mini Sprint Nationals next Friday, August 2nd.
Put the excuses to sleep folks, with a clear forecast in the picture there is ZERO doubt - not to Thursday’s practice (from 6-8pm), or Friday’s grand reopening (heats and qualifiers) or Saturday’s historic finale of the 14th annual Mini Sprint Nationals in which $30,000 will be on the line.
The moment when we light up the sky for the first time since the May 20 tornado will be a highly emotional one for many who have given it everything they had and more. That moment will be led to the viewing public track Facebook pages and the Oklahoma No Fender Network.
In fact, we’ve been in contact with all four local news affiliates, as well as The Oklahoman - stay tuned to any and all over the next 6 days as we prepare to reopen the last speedway left in Central Oklahoma.
We know we have fans and media from all over the country coming in to cover this event, but what about the huge mass of regional racers throughout Oklahoma and the surrounding region? We really need all of you.
This is not just a reopening of a business destroyed in the May 20 tornado. The entire community was destroyed, even speedway promoters Mark Banister and Gloria Olexa’s home was obliterated.
This community, the local community flattened in the May 20 tornado, needs all of - the racing community.
This community is on the combeback, signs of rebuilding are all around and what it would mean to the Oklahoma City, Newcastle, Moore areas to have one of the largest, most special events in the history of micro sprint racing in this region can hardly be put into words.
There are several signs of such support, news racers that do not race I44 Riverside often, but there are also rumors. Similar to rumors that the speedway would be open for practice today. At some point it is time to stop whispering.
We ARE reopening with the 14th Annual Mini Sprint Nationals and NOTHING will change this unless the forecast pulls a 180.
So to our beloved local racers from the 405 and 580 that support us every week - we need each and every one of you. To the largest and arguably most competitive hubs of micro sprints in the world just up the Turner Turnpike in Tulsa - we need all of you too. Across the border, our rivals in the North Texas and West Texas hot spots - you guys are family too - head this way.
For all the teams in the greatest mini sprint nation - you are all family to I44 Riverside Speedway. Every one of you are a reason we rebuilt this track when most fold under a fraction of the adversity. This most American sport of racing is tired of seeing and hearing of track after track falling by the wayside, for once - you can come support one that was completely decimated - and in just 72 days following that destruction - roars back to life.
On behalf of Mark and Gloria and the I44 Riverside Speedway staff that is preparing more than ever to host you……..please come be a part of the grand reopening of the only auto racing venue in central Oklahoma and support this community!
Part Two - 14th Annual Mini Sprint Nationals - the preview before the preview
With a vast majority of race teams initially signaling their support of I44 Riverside and its’ reopening, we have raised the purse for the Nationals considerably. The 14th Annual Mini Sprint Nationals will pay a whopping $30,000 on Saturday night, August 3rd.
And we made the adjustments where the vast majority always want it, on the bottom half of the purse.
So let’s go over the basics.
WHAT: 14th Annual Mini Sprint Nationals - grand reopening of Oklahoma City’s I44 Riverside Speedway featuring the following six classes:
Outlaw - $1,000 to win / $150 to start A Class - $1,000 to win / $150 to start Non Wing - $1,000 to win / $150 to start Restricted - $750 to win / $125 to start Non Wing Sportsman - $750 to win / $125 to start Junior Sprints - $500 to win / $125 to start
REGISTER NOW *Entry fee is $150 on race day *Register before 1159pm Thursday, August 1st for just $100 and to also keep your number - NO DUPLICATE NUMBERS WILL BE ALLOWED AT NATIONALS *Entry fee covers driver’s pit pass for both nights - all other pit passes are $30 BOTH NIGHTS *Pre-register right now by visitingwww.i44riversidespeedway.com or contact the track directly at 405.633.1583
WHEN: Thursday, August 1st: practice - 6pm-8pm *pit passes $20
Friday, August 2nd: Night 1 of the Mini Sprint Nationals - Heats and Qualifiers *Gates Open at 3pm *Drivers Meeting 515pm *Hot Laps 545pm *Program begins at 7pm -Pit passes $30, general admission $10, Senior Citizens $8, Children 12 and under FREE
Saturday, August 3rd - Mini Sprint Nationals Finale - Features *Gates open at 3pm *Drivers meeting 515pm *Hot Laps 545pm *Features begin at 7pm -Pit Passes $30, general admission $10, Senior Citizens $8, Children 12 and under FREE
*Racers - is FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. Grounds have been prepared and there is no limit to parking.
*Fans - Bring a lawn chair. Concrete stands will begin to be set after Nationals.
*Racers and Fans - Comfort Inn Southwest is the official host hotel for the Mini Sprint Nationals. It is located at 7601 C.A. Henderson Blvd. Contact Comfort Inn & Suites at 405.631.3111 and mention Mini Sprint Nationals for special rate.
*Mini Sprint Nationals Sponsors/Contingency Sponsors are pouring in and will be featured in the official Mini Sprint Nationals event preview. Contact I44 Riverside Public Relations director Cody Morris at 405.641.1191 to secure your spot in a once in a lifetime show - the reopening of I44 Riverside Speedway with the 14th Annual Mini Sprint Nationals!
All other event details will be released in the official Mini Sprint Nationals event preview on Monday.
Part 3 of 3 - Salute to #Restore44
The I44 Riverside family extends our warmest thanks to those who have helped us rebuild a cornerstone to both the local and racing communities.
Many contributed on clean up days and other volunteer work, many contributed their hard earned money to essential restorations that had to be made to rebuild the speedway.
You guys will forever be a part of the I44 Riverside Speedway family.
Special thanks to the soldiers who Restored44 - they have sweat enough to flow six Canadian Rivers - led by Mark Banister, Daryl Cleveland, Scott Burk, and David Hall.
Wall Panel Sponsors as of 7/27
1 - 2J Wehkamp Racing (Wehkamp Racing - Cimarron, Kansas) 2 - 2J Wehkamp Racing (Wehkamp Racing - Cimarron, Kansas) 3 - 3J Wehkamp Racing (Wehkamp Racing - Cimarron, Kansas) 4 - 3J Wehkamp Racing (Wehkamp Racing, Cimarron, Kansas) 5 - Jennings Powder Coating (Brandon Jennings - Oklahoma City) 6 - Jack Hall #37 (Jack Hall) 7 - 2B Brandon Boggs (Boggs Racing - Lawton, Oklahoma) 8 - Bobby Brewer #1 (Bobby Brewer - Cabot, Arkansas) 9 - Nathan Rainey #99 (Matthew Rainey - Choctaw, Oklahoma) 10 - Lyndon Harvey 99H (Harvey Racing - Decatur, Texas) 11 - Boggs Racing 2B (Randy Boggs - Lawton, Oklahoma) 12 - Stars Elite Cheer (Kerrie Boggs - Lawton, Oklahoma) 13 - Fliptastics Gymnastics (Courtney Boggs - Lawton, Oklahoma) 14 - P40 Aaron Dromgoole (Dromgoole Racing - N. Richland Hills,Texas) 15 - Derrick McBride #98 (Derrick McBride - Newcastle, Oklahoma) 16 - Lyndon Harvey 99H (Harvey Racing - Decatur, Texas) 17 - Jake’s Dad Carbs (Duane Keel - Mustang, Oklahoma) 18 - Poverty Barn (www.povertybarn.net, St. Charles, MO 19 - Ryan Anderson ?#00R? (Ryan Anderson - Anadarko, Oklahoma) 20 - Finish Line Designs (Cody & LeeAnn Meade - Dewey, OK) 21 - Fast Lane Motorsports News / Galen Kurth 22 - Zero Motorsports / Johnny Murdock / St. Louis, Missouri 23 - Christian Kinnison 82c 24 - Christian Kinnison 82c 25 - Kearns Heat & Air #11 27 - Lamar Racing 28 - Central Motorsports Matt Johnson #85 29 - Central Motorsports Cody Brewer #96 30 - David & Karen Florence 31 - Tanner Conn #78 32 - Dewberry Racing TBD (Bob Moore Auto Group) 33 - Dewberry Racing TBD (Bob Moore Auto Group) 34 - Jason Lair #23 35 - Dylan Pendergrass #22 (Donnie Pendergrass Elgin, OK) 36 - Divot Studios Vinyl Graphics / Chris Bartlett #12
Current total: $2,520
Billboard sponsors as of 7/27
1 - Barnum's Plumbing, Inc. (Oklahoma City) 2 - Dacus Heating & Air (Fletcher, Oklahoma) *Associate 3 - MelMark Pipe & Supply *Associate 4 - Southern Illinois Raceway (Marion, Illinois) 5 - Oklahoma No Fender Network / Finish Line Designs (Dewey, Oklahoma) *Associate 6 - Southwestern Medical Center Lawton, Oklahoma (Dr. Mike Kuglitsch) 7 - Karen Byrd TBA 8 - Bishop Racing Components (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) 9 - Bob Moore Auto Group (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) 10 - Bob Moore Auto Group (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) 11 - Pole Position Raceway (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)*Associate 12 - Roy Miller Auto Salvage (McKinney, Texas) 13 - Extreme Sports Medics (Choctaw, Oklahoma) 14 - Judy Dodson / Eagle Drilling (Oklahoma City, OK) 15 - Carmichaels Electric (Moore, Oklahoma) 16 - KEY 2 VICTORY Driver Websites (TBA)
Current total: $8,108 Billboards remaining: 22
#Restore44 Fundraiser hosted by Pole Position Raceway (Oklahoma city): $7,159
Total Funds Raised in six week run of #Restore44: $17,787
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