New sanctions bring 4 IMCA divisions to Friday programs at I-70 Speedway

Odessa, Mo. (March 20, 2006) ­ I-70 Speedway opens the gates to the 2006 race season with four IMCA divisions on the Friday night card.

Sanctioned Modifieds, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts will run weekly on newly built dirt tracks north of the existing half mile asphalt track.

Lights and grandstand seating are being installed for the dirt venue, 3/8 of a mile on the outside with a 1/4 mile oval and figure-8 course on the inside. Other recent additions to the 278-acre facility east of Kansas City have included motocross, BMX and go-kart tracks, making I-70 a one stop weekend shop for race fans.

"We've got the glitz and glamour with the paved track. The dirt tracks give us the opportunity to reach a new audience and cross promote our facilities," said owner and promoter Brad McDonald. ³If we can get people in here one time for a $10 ticket, we can get them back by putting on a good show."

I-70 is the first track in the Show-Me State to sanction the Stock Car and Sport Compact classes, the latter of which is being introduced this year.

Tutored by the late Larry Kaster, McDonald is confident car counts in the IMCA classes will develop right along with their fan following.

"IMCA is economical racing. It's regular, every day guys who just want to race and don't want to have to spend a lot of money to do it," he said. "Larry taught me how racing should be. The IMCA theory works."

Opening night is tentatively scheduled for May 5, with IMCA points running through Sept. 22. I-70 is part of the Central Region for Modifieds and the Jet Racing Northern Region for Stock Cars.

"If we're going to sell the IMCA package to drivers and fans, we need to let the philosophy build. If we don¹t go in with a 100 percent attitude, it leaves drivers wondering what we're going to do next year," McDonald said. "We want to promote the philosophy of the rules and I think you¹ll see other tracks go to IMCA. Drivers will always want to go somewhere else on another night and race where the rules are the same."