By Staff
GETTING READY Owners Jimmy Henry, left, and Keith Rutledge are checking out the engine of their car as they prepare for competition during this weekend's races at Queen City Speedway. Their team, H &R Racing, will be competing in the Late Model division for the first time this season. Other team members include driver Tim Rutledge and pit crew members James Alsobrooks and Mac Urston. Photo by Penny Randall/The Meridian Star
By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
March 30, 2001
Queen City Speedway opens its third season of dirt track racing entertainment Saturday with the Mississippi State Championship Challenge headlining a busy night.
The state Challenge features the popular Late Model Cars. The purse for the race is $2,500.
This is the first time QCS has hosted this event and race organizers aren't quite sure what to expect, However, the initial public response has been good.
That isn't to say the Mississippi State Championship Challenge won't have some local flavor.
In addition to having drivers from all over the state, this weekend's season kickoff will feature local drivers Mike Boland from Cuba, Ala. Boland is the reigning champion of this series. James Dean of Chunky will also be competing.
Despite its name, the series, which makes its fourth of 11 stops Saturday, is not limited to just drivers from the Magnolia State. Riley said there are drivers from Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee that will be in attendance as well.
It is, however, run under state rules. Starting positions for the feature race are determined by drivers passing others during the timing trials.
The series, which will be held at five different tracks throughout the state, was revitalized when QCS promoter Charles Thrash got with other promoters in January in efforts to bring back the Challenge.
He also thought it would be a great way to promote the Queen City Speedway, as drivers have to make each series stop in order to continue to compile the points they need.
In addition to the feature race, QCS will also be running its regular classes. The Pure Street, Mini-Stock, Pro-Street and IMCA classes will compete as scheduled.
Pit gates open at 3 p.m., the grandstand opens at 5 p.m. and time trials begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $25 for the pit view. Queen City Speedway is located south of Meridian Regional Airport on Highway 11 and Arundel Road.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.