Idaho Racing News

USAC sprints return to Meridian after absence; 10-second lap possible
By Jon P. Brown
IRN editor
Race fans aren’t the only ones who are anxious for the new season at Meridian Speedway.
Managing partner Adam Nelson said racers are champing at the bit to get on the new surface, too.
“A third Test and Tune has been added … because we anticipate that with the new surface that everybody will be anxious to get out there,” Nelson said.
Test and Tunes will be held April 4 and April 10-11. The season begins with dual season openers on April 17 and April 24.
New records can be expected on opening night for all the classes because the record book is being reset with the new configuration, Nelson said.
And there’s more to look forward to, such as the possibility of a 10-second open-wheel lap on the 59-year-old oval, the third-generation promoter said.
More banking was built when the new pavement was put down, and Nelson says that could create incredible speeds for sprintcars from the Mtn. Dew Winged Sprintcars to the ASA Northwest Sprintcar Racing Association to the USAC sprintcars, which are making a return to the Meridian oval after not running there in 2009.
The Intermountain Vintage Sprintcars have added more dates this season, sharing the track with the West Coast Vintage Sprintcar series on May 22 as well as making appearances on June 4, July 4 and July 31.
“We’re all looking forward to getting going, and it should be bigger and better than before,” Meridian Speedway partner Al Russell said. Russell, Don Newman and Nelson are in their second year operating the track.
The first chance fans will have to see how the touring sprintcar drivers handle the new surface comes June 4-5 with the 96.1 Bob FM Diamond Cup presented by Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry. The ASA NSRA has put the Diamond Cup on its schedule for the third consecutive season.
The USAC sprinters close the season on Sept. 17-18.
In between, there will be a healthy dose of local sprintcar drivers during a season that features 29 dates in 24 weeks.
Another popular touring series, the homegrown Carbon X Rocky Mountain Challenge Series for Late Models, hits town for the first time on June 26 for the NAPA Auto Parts of the Treasure Valley 100. The series returns on Sept. 4 for the second annual Pepsi Gem State 75.
Other fan favorites from last year that return include the Eve of Destruction II on Aug. 14 and a Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular presented by the City of Meridian.
New promotions this year include Hometown Team Racing featuring drivers teaming up to race for town pride. The first Hometown Team Racing series night is May 1.
There are several nights of racing for causes, including Racin’ for a Cure on May 8 that will benefit the American Cancer Society. Racing for a Reason on Aug. 28 benefits the Boise Special Olympics Lions Club, and Ron Hayes brings Racing for Smiles of the Northwest back for five shows.
Another new twist is Wednesday night racing on June 16 and Aug. 18.
Children’s bicycle races, sponsored by Westby’s Bicycles, also have returned to the quarter-mile oval.
For more information about the season, call the racetrack at (208) 888-2813 or log on to www.meridianspeedway.com.