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“It’s pretty exciting, really,” Shady Bowl promoter Rick Young said. “We wanted to get the fans involved and make a new racer. They might like going around the track, then get involved.”
Two drivers at a time drag race around the 3/10th-mile oval for one lap. The winner advances to that night’s next round.
Participants must be 18-years and older and must wear a helmet. Cars must be street legal and have working seat and shoulder belts. Active racers are not eligible. Participants have to pay for admission to Shady Bowl and pay $10 to enter the race. All entry fees are returned through a payout of 75 percent to the winner and 25 percent to the runner-up.
Young said Shady Bowl tried spectator racing last season and had cars of all kinds participate ranging from new trucks to classic cars to a Corvette and even a 1967 Camaro. He said he remembers one car scraping the wall during a race where speeds typically top out at 60 mph.
Young said a Chase format will determine the overall winner. Drivers that win during the regular season will likely be locked into the Chase. Points will determine additional spots.
“Some of the (weekly) drivers complain it takes up time,” Young said. “But when you start it and I look up in the pits, everyone is against the fence watching. You don’t know what to expect (in the race).”
Quick Parts, Hanger 18 Race Cars and CC&SS LLC sponsor the event.
Races will be held during regular weekly shows. Drivers can also get track time by participating in Test and Tune sessions every Wednesday.
Shady Bowl hosts $20 carload night (for grandstand seating only) to watch a slate that includes late models, modifieds, street stocks, pure stocks, compacts and super compacts. Racing starts at 7 p.m.
Here’s a look at what’s going on around the area:
Waynesfield Raceway Park hosts a full schedule Saturday with the non-wing sprints, UMP modifieds, mini sprints, trucks and compacts. Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps are at 6 and racing at 7.
Kil-Kare Dragway hosts a Test and Tune session on Saturday in preparation for the May 5 season opener. Gates open at noon.
Edgewater Sports Park hosts the United Manual Transmission Racers on Saturday plus regular divisions including super pro, pro, sportsman, motorcycle and junior dragsters. Gates open at 2 p.m. with racing at 6:30.
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