SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The 2011 season opener at the Springfield Raceway has been pushed back two weeks due to the wet spring weather, but this Saturday night we will be honoring past and present members of our nation's military.

Springfield Raceway owners Doug Bland and Jerry Hoffman thought kicking the season off with a special “Thank You” to those that have served or are currently serving our country was the perfect fit for the 2011 season.

“Racing is as American as it gets, and being able to honor those that have served our country is how we wanted to start the season,” stated Hoffman.

Any person that has served or is currently serving in any branch of the military will get a free grandstand ticket for Saturday night's races at the Springfield Raceway. Fans will be treated to a $1,000-to-win USRA RHS Modified feature, along with five other divisions of racing action.

The Transport Graphics Chase for the Championship awards points to each division in the USRA RHS Modifieds, Reliable Chevrolet B-Mods, Pepsi Factory Stocks, Casey's General Stores Midwest Modz, Missouri Legends Cars and Wheeler Metals Pure Stocks.

Another highlight of Saturday night's festivities will the first ever Foot Race: a one-lap race around the Springfield Raceway with $200 and a year of bragging rights going to the winner. Contestants must be at least 18 years old to enter.

The USRA RHS Modifieds are the main event division at the Springfield Raceway and will find the competition level getting even higher than before as 2010 track champion Mitch Keeter of Webb City will lead a talented field of drivers going for the points title which goes until Sept 3. Last season Keeter put a halt to Carthage's Jackie Dalton and his championship winning stretch by 20 points after falling just a few short the previous season.

The high level of competition has attracted interest in many of the four-state area top USRA RHS Modified drivers including Springfield Raceway regular Erik Maggard, Webb City hot shoe Scott Drake and Joplin’s Terry Beckham.

For the month of April, the Springfield Raceway will be starting at 6 p.m. and move to a 7 p.m. starting time in May. Pit Gates will open at 3 p.m. in April while the grandstand gate opens at 4 p.m. The drivers meeting will be held at 5 p.m. and hot laps begin at 5:15. Draw will cut-off will be at 5:30 in April.

Grandstand admission is only $10 for adults while kids ages 6-12 are $5 with children 5 and under admitted free of charge.

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