Eastaboga, AL – The 26th Annual ICE BOWL at Talladega Short Track has been POSTPONED due to forecasted temperatures making travel unsafe, and virtually impossible through midday or later Saturday. Track officials arrived at this decision after Friday’s action was cancelled due to inclement weather that led to the unsafe travel conditions. Track officials have always been steadfast in making a valiant effort to get the annual Ice Bowl event in, and this will be the first time in the storied 26-year history of the winter event that it has been forced to be postponed.
“Racing in January in the south is always a gamble, and original forecasts showed warmer temperatures for Saturday and a minimal risk for wintry weather on Friday night. However, since Friday’s system has pushed through with sleet and snow, the latest forecast doesn’t show temperatures on Saturday getting above freezing which will create more issues than just travel concerns,” stated NeSmith Racing Series Director Adam Stewart.
“The safety of our fans, drivers, and staff is imperative in situations like this. We feel that to provide a safe trip to the races and a quality show we have no choice but to postpone the event. We appreciate everyone’s support over the years and especially in situations like this. We hope to see everyone back next weekend for the 26th Annual Ice Bowl,” stated Talladega Short Track owner/promoter Lynn “Preacher” Phillips.
The 26th Annual Ice Bowl will now take place Friday January 13th through Sunday January 15th. This will basically push the remainder of the event that was not run on the original weekend back one week. Friday January 13th will be an Open Practice from 12 Noon until 4:30 P.M. followed by Hot Shot heat races. Saturday January 14th will be Ice Bowl Qualifying Day, which will see Qualifying and Heat Races for Super Late Models, NeSmith Dirt Late Models, and NeSmith Street Stocks; Heat Races for TST Sportsman/Limited Late Model, NeSmith Late Model Sprortsman(602), and ThunderCars; and B-Mains and Feature for Hot Shots.
Sunday January 15th will be Ice Bowl Feature Day with B-Mains and Features for Super Late Models, NeSmith Late Models, TST Sportsman/Limited Late Model, NeSmith Late Model Sportsman(602), NeSmith Street Stocks, and ThunderCars. The ICE BOWL will still serve as the first points event of the 2017 RockAuto.com Winter Shootout for the NeSmith Dirt Late Model Series.
All entry fees, transponder fees, and license fees will be honored during the make-up event. All Friday one day pit admission bands and multi-day bands will also be honored at the re-scheduled event. Drivers still on the grounds at TST are asked to return their transponders to the registration building. Drivers who have left and did not turn their transponders in and can’t make it back to Talladega this morning are asked to call Professional Motor Sports Solutions at 863-412-4450 to arrange return options.
For more information about Talladega Short Track visit their official website at www.TalladegaShortTrack.com or call the speedway at 256-831-1413.
For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series website at www.nesmithracing.com. You can also follow the series by Liking the Facebook page at NeSmith Racing; following on Twitter @NeSmithRacing; and Instagram @nesmithracing.
