Fans will once again be able to watch LOLMDS stars such as Jonathan Davenport and Tim McCreadie(39) in person
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series did not stage a single race from the time of their last event during Georgia-Florida SpeedWeeks on February 9th until they returned to those two states for a series of previously unscheduled events on May 19th. In between those dates were scores of cancellations and postponements brought on by closures related to the spread of coronavirus.
The series obviously remains dependent on the regulations in place from state to state, but as of now, it appears as if LOLMDS drivers and teams are about to embark on a series of weekends that will return the Dirt Late Model world to some degree of normalcy.
The Lucas Oil Series ran a total of six races at Golden Isles Speedway near Brunswick, GA and East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL during May that did not allow fans to attend but were broadcast live on LucasOilRacing.tv. Now, however, fans will be allowed to occupy the grandstands at some tracks, including the two venues set for this Friday and Saturday.
Lucas Oil races are currently slated for every weekend, and even some weekdays, all the way through mid-October with the lone exception being the date that coincides with the World 100 at Eldora Speedway in September. Again, some of those events will be dependent on the degree in which each host state has re-opened and the number of fans admitted in some areas may also be subject to regulation.
Large crowds are expected this weekend as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series kicks off its long stretch of summer and fall races at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC on Friday night(June 12th) then moves to Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, TN on Saturday evening(June 13th).
Cherokee will play host to the 22nd annual Grassy Smith Memorial which will pay out $12,000 to its winner. Mike Marlar won this race in 2019 while Scott Bloomquist and Brandon Overton were also recent winners at ‘The Place Your Momma Warned You About”.
Smoky Mountain is set to contest the Mountain Moonshine Classic with a $15,000 payout going to its victor. Hudson O’Neal was crowned champion of this event last year. Jimmy Owens and Dale McDowell were the most recent drivers to pull into that track’s victory lane prior to 2019.
Since these will be the first two LOLMDS races since February to have fans in attendance, spectators are expected in abundance. Furthermore, with there being no competing national touring series races slated, the entry lists for both will likely be star studded.
The weather forecast for both sites calls for warm temperatures with little chance for rain.
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