Left to right: Track official Tony Borgstadt, track owner Susan Walls and track official Karen Darling pre-registered drivers at the Bodee's Racers Auction & Trade Show in Sedalia, Mo.

WARRENSBURG, Mo.—Opening night of the 2016 season at CMS is still over 80 days away; however, the staff remains busy and active even during the off-season. As reported earlier, 2016 marks the twenty-second year of operations at the track for owners and promoters Earl and Susan Walls.

Although it’s January and temperatures are near freezing, CMS already has two pre-season events under its belt for the year. In early January, several drivers participated in the annual registration and rules review meeting and just last weekend, CMS once again had a successful outing at the annual Bodee’s Racers Auction & Trade Show in Sedalia. To date, over 40 drivers have registered their name and number among the track’s four weekly racing divisions.

Over the last couple seasons, Pure Stocks quickly became a fan favorite for close competition among drivers. This year is expected to be a breakout season for the division as the Walls recently announced a significant bump in the Pure Stock purse for 2016. The weekly event winner will now take home $250 for their efforts, which is double that of last year’s winner’s share. The start-money also sees an increase to $30.

Defending USRA Modified track champion Terry Schultz of Sedalia, who finished second in USRA national points last season, leads the group of pre-registered USRA Modified drivers for the coming year. Justin Plumb, veteran Richard Kimberling, Jason Bodenhamer, Dean Wille, Danny Scrogham and former B-Mod driver Richard Brainard have all completed early season registration for the USRA Modified division.

Off-season projects continue at the track with a new pit-side concessions stand and officials’ work area under construction; work recently began on the new front stretch fencing and work will soon begin on the new lighting system for the speedway as weather permits. These are the active projects that are going on at the speedway for 2016.

Opening night at CMS is Saturday, April 16, for Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce Night. After week one, 23 additional nights of racing remain with events running through early September. ULMA Late Models, Midwest Mod Lites, Allstar Midget Series and Lightning Sprints are all set for guest class appearances throughout the year.

The first special event of the season takes place on Memorial Day Weekend for two nights of racing beginning Saturday, May 28. On Sunday, May 29, USRA Modified drivers have $3,000 on the line during a 35-lap main event. Joining in on the night two action is the Allstar Midget Series, USRA B-Mods and ULMA Late Models.

The track’s biggest race of the year takes place over the Independence Day Weekend when the 11th Annual Tom Wilson Memorial begins on Saturday, July 2, with night one qualifying for the following night’s $5,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start USRA Modified main event. Racing resumes the next night on Sunday, July 3, with night two qualifying and the 50-lap, big-money USRA Modified finale. Additionally, ULMA Late Models compete in their Triple Crown Shootout for $1,000-to-win, USRA B-Mods join in on the action, and a full fireworks show caps the evening.

The final special event of the year takes place during the Labor Day Weekend with B-Mods highlighting the program on Saturday, Sept. 3, with a $1,500-to-win, 25-lap special event. On Sunday, Sept. 4, USRA Modified drivers compete for a cool $3,000 to win during a 35-lap main event along with USRA B-Mods, ULMA Late Models and the Allstar Midget Series. Bonuses await any USRA Modified driver winning at least two of the three big-money specials; a bigger bonus awaits any one driver sweeping all three of the track’s major events.

CMS is seeking a track maintenance person for the 2016 race season. Serious applicants must be experienced and possess proper credentials for operating heavy equipment used for weekly track preparation. Track equipment includes heavy-duty tractors, box blade, grader, sheep’s foot roller, standard water truck, and terragator water truck. CMS is also in search of a parts and tires service retailer. Prospective companies or independent dealers will be expected to be present during race nights. Prospective applicants should call Earl or Susan Walls at the CMS business line at (816) 229-1338. No calls after 8 p.m. please.

Keep up with CMS on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CMSgoing_green. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Central-Missouri-Speedway. Join our email group by emailing info@centralmissourispeedway.net. Keep up with CMS news and information by pointing your browser to www.centralmissourispeedway.net.

Contact Susan Walls at 816-229-1338 to join the CMS team of business partners, no calls after 8 p.m. There are several opportunities for your business to become involved in the exciting sport of dirt-track racing. No other sport has as many dedicated and loyal fans as weekly dirt racing. Car class sponsorship, event sponsorship, race night sponsorship, and special-event sponsorship are just a few of the ways to put your marketing and branding logo in front of the loyal race family!

CMS wishes to thank its 2015 primary sponsors for their support this season! Cliff Harris Warrensburg Ford, Budweiser, KMZU 100.7 FM, Sunoco Race Fuels, Pepsi, KMMO FM 102.9, Midwest Coatings, Better Country KIX 105.7 FM, Comfort Inn Warrensburg Station, 610 Sports Radio Kansas City, KRLI FM 103.9 & KAOL 101.3 FM The Grenade, Heartland Waste, and 'Today's New Hit Country' 95.3 FM KDKD.

This list of 2015 outstanding business partners includes: Victory Trophies & Plaques, Roundabout Café, Batliner Recycling, RockAuto.com, DQ Grill & Chill of Warrensburg, Blue Springs Chiropractic, Economy Lumber, Brooks Automotive LLC, Kleinschmidt's Western Store, OK Tire Stores, Eickleberry Concrete & Construction, Finish Line Performance, Wolf Tire Service, Rod End Supply, JA Performance and Outdoor Services, Seeburg Mufflers, RockAuto.com, and RacinDirt.com.

To join the CMS business partner team, call Susan Walls at (816) 229-1338. No calls after 8 p.m. please. Stay tuned to www.centralmissourispeedway.net for further announcements regarding pre-season events. Drivers are reminded that beginning in 2016, all golf carts and all-terrain vehicles must be registered prior to be used on the speedway grounds. The form is located under the Drivers tab on the website landing page.

CMS 2016 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
April 9 - Practice Night: All classes welcome.
April 16 - Weekly Racing – Chamber Night
April 23 - Weekly Racing – UCM Night
April 30 - Weekly Racing plus Mod Lites – Whiteman Air Force Base Night
May 7 - Weekly Racing plus ULMA Late Models
May 14 - Weekly Racing plus Mod Lites
May 21 - Weekly Racing
May 28 - USRA Modifieds, Street Stocks, B-Mods and Pure Stocks $500 to win
May 29 - USRA Modifieds $3,000 to win, USRA B-Mods, ULMA Late Models and Allstar Midget Series
June 4 - Weekly Racing - Comfort Inn Night
June 11 - Weekly Racing (USRA B-Mods) plus Mod Lites
June 18 - Weekly Racing plus ULMA Late Models
June 25 - Weekly Racing
July 2 - 11th Annual Tom Wilson Memorial: USRA Modifieds $1,500 to win; Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, B-Mods and Allstar Midget Series
July 3 - 11th Annual Tom Wilson Memorial: USRA Modifieds $5,000 to win/$1,000 to start; USRA B-Mods and ULMA Late Models plus Fireworks
July 9 - Weekly Racing
July 16 - Weekly Racing plus ULMA Late Models
July 23 - Weekly Racing (USRA B-Mods)
July 30 - Weekly Racing plus Mod Lites
Aug. 6 - Weekly Racing plus Mod Lites - Kid’s Night
Aug.13 - Weekly Racing plus ULMA Late Models
Aug. 20 - Weekly Racing plus Mod Lites
Aug. 27 - Weekly Racing
Sept. 3 - USRA Modifieds, Street Stocks, B-Mods $1,500 to win, Pure Stocks and Lightning Sprints
Sept. 4 - USRA Modifieds, USRA B-Mods $3,000 to win, ULMA Late Models and Allstar Midget Series