Rain dampens spirits at Chateau Speedway

  • August 24, 2018
  • by Matthew Grage

Mother Nature tested everyone’s patience again Friday with a rainy, drizzly morning but came through with sunshine by mid-afternoon and looked like it was setting up to be a great night of racing at the Chateau Speedway.

However, she rolled out round two just before 5 p.m. with showers popping up to the west but it still looked like there was a chance to race as the rain was moving north on radar. A few sprinkles fell on the drivers as they pulled in and all sat and watched there radar screens waiting to see what would happen.

Just before 6:30 the rain moved east and dumped on the track with standing water on the bottom apron of the track, large puddles in the pits, parking lot and around the concession stand. Looking at a possible two-hour delay to get the track in shape, the decision was made to pull the plug.

The track will host Season Championships next Friday, Aug. 31, at 7:15 p.m. with the track champions to be decided in USRA Modified and Out-Pace USRA B-Mod classes. Trophies will be awarded next week to each of the feature winners as well. The track also announced they will be hosting three specials during the month of September—something the track has not done in several years.

On Friday, Sept. 7, the track will host an open event for those drivers wanting to get in more action before the summer gets away, followed by a two-night show on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28-29. Race time on the two Friday shows will be 7:15 p.m. with the Saturday night show schedule to get started at 6 p.m.

For those drivers running in the USRA-sanctioned classes, this is an opportunity to roll into town to try and score more Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series national points. All six of the track's regular classes are scheduled to be competing on all three nights with a special class of cars running on Sept. 7.

Plans are being discussed for a banquet to be held during the off-season to recognize the top drivers in each class and award more trophies. More information on that will be released when plans are finalized.