(April 1, 2021) – Lance Spieker and his staff are ready to put the 2020 race season behind them and start off 2021 strong. This weekend all eyes across the county will be on the Farmer City Raceway as the Morton Buildings World of Outlaws Late Model Series comes to town. The event called the “Illini 100” is the biggest payday of the year at the quarter-mile oval in the small town of Farmer City, Illinois.
The Illinois bad boys will test their skills against the best drivers in the country. The favorite going into this weekend would have to be defending World of Outlaws Champion Brandon Sheppard who is also a three-time Illini 100 winner. Other Illinois drivers on the radar will be Shannon Babb, Brian Shirley, Jason Feger and Bobby Pierce. But other standout drivers including the current points leader Kyle Strickler have other plans on the outcome of this weekend’s events. The legendary Scott Bloomquist is slated to make his first return to Farmer City in several seasons and his fans from Illinois are excited for that.
Last years event fell to the Covid-19 pandemic. Even after attempts to find a date that would work with the World of Outlaws and the raceway, a situation to make it happen could not be settled. But that makes the anticipation for this year’s event that much bigger. Due to mother nature postponing a couple of other large events, the first big weekend of dirt track racing in the state of Illinois will happen this Friday and Saturday nights.
The track has held some successful practice or test sessions over the past few weekends. Between those sessions and the favorable weather for this time of year, officials at the track have the racing surface well-manicured and ready for some hot racing action.
Things will get kicked off on Thursday as teams begin to take over the pit area. A Thursday evening practice is scheduled to take place for drivers to get in some track time before the weekend’s big events. This is Free to watch in the grandstand area with pit passes of $25 each.
On Friday pit gates will open at noon and grandstands will open at 1pm. On track action has been moved up to 6pm for hot laps as temps could get a little chilly before the end of the night. The World of Outlaws Late Models will compete in a 25 lap $6,000 to win feature event. The American Modified Series will also be in action with $600 to win features. Pro Late Model and Stock Cars will be in action as well.
On Saturday everyone will return with pit gates opening at noon. Grandstands will open at 12:30 and on track action slated for 5pm. The World of Outlaws Late Models will compete in a 75 lap $20,000 to win finale. The American Modified Series will have a $2,500 to win main event and the Pro Late Models will finish it out with $1,000 to win. All event details including ticket prices can be found at www.farmercityracing.com.
This weekend is not the only big event of the 2021 season. On April 23rd, the Renegade Modified Series comes to town for a $1,500 to win show. In May the Farmer City 74 will take place once again as the Mars Racing Series will have a $10,000 to win 74 lap race. In July, the UMP Summer Nationals will make their yearly visit with another $10,000 payday on the line. The JR Kimler Memorial, What Up Dog 40, and the closing Labor Day weekend specials are all planned for 2021. A complete schedule can be found as well at www.farmercityracing.com.
We will see you in 2021 at the Farmer City Raceway!