SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- An open practice has been set for this Saturday, April 9, at the Springfield Raceway with cars getting on the track around 12 noon. Gates will open around 11 a.m.

Admission to the pits is only $20 and grandstands is absolutely free as Springfield Raceway officials prepare for the upcoming 2011 racing season.

The track dubbed the “Quick Quarter” because of its three-wide and quick-paced racing action on the high-banked quarter-mile dirt is coming off of prehaps its most successful season since being purchased by Jerry Hoffman and Doug Bland.

Each season the track has done several things to help the overall facility. Hoffman and Bland are still hard at work in making small changes.

For the 2011 season the track has sanctioned again with the USRA and with the point fund money being offered for the USRA RHS Modifieds, it should keep the main event action at a personal high as area drivers will have a shot at not only the track points fund but also at the national money as the Monett Speedway has also sanctioned again with the USRA.

Springfield Raceway will start the Transport Graphics Championship Chase on Saturday, April 16, with action in the USRA RHS Modifieds, Reliable Chevy SportMods, Wheeler Metals Street Stocks, Casey’s General Stores Midwest Modz, Legends Cars and Pure Stocks. Hot laps will begin at 5:15 p.m. and racing action for the month of April starts at 6 p.m. Pit gates will open at 3 while the grandstand gates open at 4 and the drivers’ meeting is slated for 5 before hot laps, with draw cut-off at 5:30.

For the 2011 season Springfield Raceway will offer special events along with its regular shows including 360 Winged Sprint Cars, Midgets, MARS/MLRA Late Models and Mini-Sprints, along with family activities and many community involved promotions.

The points chase will start April 16 and every event held until Sept. 3 will be a points event for classes competing. Other special events after the points chase will be held, including the always popular Larry Phillips Memorial on Sept. 17, the ever-growing Bordertown Casino Octoberfast on Oct. 15 and the always exciting and packed Turkey Classic on Nov. 26.

Track champions for 2010 include Mitch Keeter of Webb City (USRA RHS Modifieds), Wayne Graybeal of Springfield (Sport Mods), Jack Hamer of Ava (Street Stocks), Kaleb Copher of Webb City (Midwest Modz) and Justin Comer of Joplin (Legends Cars).

For more information on Springfield Raceway visit the website at www.springfieldraceway.com or contact Jerry Hoffman at 417-673-7426.