Event three of the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series takes place this Friday, May 4, at the Lakeside Speedway for the Charlie Kraft Memorial. Competing classes include USRA Modifieds, Holley USRA Stock Cars and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods, plus E-Mods, Factory Stocks and Mod-Lites joining the night’s program as a guest class.

Lakeside Speedway employee Debbie Bergman, who is Kraft’s daughter, said, “My father began racing in the 1950s. Having the name Kraft, his car was painted yellow like the Kraft cheese label and carried the No. 4. I am not sure how he got the number four, but I am guessing it was from his birth date, May 4th. He raced for nearly 22 years. After retiring from racing he could still be seen at Lakeside Speedway on Leavenworth Rd. working as track maintenance. At the current Lakeside location, he was seen at the pit row entrance.”

In the early 2000s, Charlie Kraft was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and eventually passed from this life in 2006.

Kraft started the Old Timers Night in 1990 at Lakeside Speedway, which for many years was held in conjunction with many specials and as a two-day show with a picnic on Saturday for an Old Timers get together. When Kraft passed away, then Lakeside Speedway owner Marc Olson renamed the Old Timers Night to the Charlie Kraft Memorial.

Charlie Kraft lived and loved racing. Although he never won a championship, he was always there to compete. In 2004, he was part of the inaugural group inducted to the Central Auto Racing Boosters Hall of Fame. Lakeside Speedway will run this week’s racing program in his honor.

Last week saw Gary Donaldson end a four-year winless streak in Holley USRA Stock car action while road warrior Tyler Wolff collected the win in USRA Modifieds with Tim Powell victorious in the Out-Pace USRA B-Mods.

By popular demand, Lakeside Speedway has announced it will use a straight-up passing points method for lining up all car class main events from this point forward. Friday admission prices are $12 for general admission, $10 for seniors (65+) and military, $6 for kids (7-12) and children ages 6 and under) are free. Suites are $20 for adults and kids ages 2-12 are just $10. Pit passes are $30 with kids ages 6 and under $10. When at the track, tune your radio dial to 87.7 FM for a radio broadcast of all the action. The pits open at 4:30 p.m., spectator gates open at 5, the drivers meeting begins at 6:30, hot laps strt at 6:45 and racing kicks off at 7:30.

Schedule information, track details, car class rules, regulations and news is available on the track’s website at www.lakesidespeedway.net. Contact the track at (913) 299-9206. The track address is 5615 Wolcott Dr, Kansas City, KS 66109, located one mile west of I-435 (exit 18) on SR 5 (northwest of Kansas City). Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lakesidespeedway.kansascity. You may also email the track at lakesidespeedwaykc@gmail.com.

The 2018 sponsor list includes Valvoline Premium Branded Industrial Lubricants & Automotive Chemicals, Baker's Recovery & Tow, Budweiser, Casey’s General Stores, Central Auto Racing Boosters Hall of Fame & Museum, Central Auto Racing Boosters (C.A.R.B.), Christy's Tasty Queen, Courtyard Kansas City Airport, Crystal Trenching, Health & Wellmobile, Johnson County Key Service, Joslin Jewelry, Kaw Valley Companies, LNF Fencing, Kling Auto & Diesel Repair, Metro Pawn, Mission Painting & Home Improvements, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, RockAuto.com, Seeburg Mufflers, Sutera’s Shawnee, Tompkins Industries, Toners Jewelers, Ussery Auto Body, Design Source Flooring & Tile, Kenny’s Tile, Justin Lawson Media and Victory Trophies & Plaques.