Grand River Speedway in Urich a popular route away from Kansas Speedway
by Greg Clemons

URICH, MO (Oct. 2, 2006) -  As NASCAR fans passed by a gravel road off Missouri Hwy 7, a popular route away from Kansas speedway, the grass roots of the sport have been growing with new drivers, only a stones throw away. Big rigs transporting Dale Jr's and Tony Stewart's equipment worth millions headed out toward Talledega after the Kansas Speedway events and 14yr old Nathan Vaughn's Dad started the family pickup truck after his son won the $50 Hobby Stock feature at Grand River Speedway in Urich. "This is what we can afford", he said, leaving for their hometown in Lincoln, Mo. "We normally race for a trophy!" They were happy even if Nathan and Tony's paths don't come close to crossing again!

Grand River Speedway is unique in that it offers "seat time" to it's local drivers from October until most dirt tracks reopen in the spring. GRS Officials operate the track, weekends in 40 degree and above Fall conditions. Four Winter races will be held at indoor tracks in Columbia and Humansville, Mo. The second week of Fall Series racing is scheduled for Sat, Oct 7 at 12 pm. in Urich and the former off-season wraps itself, up with the "Fitzpatrick Memorial" race at the end of March in 2007.

In week one's event, Nathan Vaughn held off the elder gentlemen in 2nd and 3rd, Allen Guthrie and Wade Sherman in the compact Hobby division. Educating the next group of youngsters, Guthrie of Raymore in his Bomber class car gave the boys a paddeling. The beat up Buick beat Jeremy Welcher of Drexel to the line.

Brian Hall, Ft Scott, Ks out raced the Open class drivers, Steve Adkins in second and Rookie driver, Jeremy McConville of Pleasant Hill took third.

Jerry Schmidt of Independence ran away with the Street Stock feature after former GRS winner, Bill Doelz of Warsaw was sidelined with a fuel problem. Both veteren drivers went into the first Fall season race of 2006, determined to claim a Championship, after the hotly contested 2005 season. Champion, Josh Stephens moved up to Modifieds earlier this year but a new crop of talented young drivers including brother, Jeremiah Stephens are expected on Oct 7th at Grand River. The 600cc Midget season elsewhere is over and those drivers are also expected! For point standings and track information, www.grandriverspeedway.net is their website.