Columbus Speedway has seen a rebirth in many ways in its 50th year of operation.
From new grandstands to new promoters to other improvements, there have been a lot of changes at the facility. Some have involved new items, while others have involved the rejuvenation of events that haven’t been held in a few years.
One event, the James Nickoles Memorial, will return Saturday with Columbus Nissan as the title sponsor.
This year’s edition of the James Nickoles Memorial will be the 11th running. In its history, the event has been sanctioned by the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series (MSCCS), Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS), Southern United Professional Racers (SUPR), and Southern All Star Series (SAS).
This time, the MSCCS Super Late Model Tour will return to sanction the $5,000-to-win/$300-to-start event. Many of the area’s and region’s top Super Late Model pilots are expected to converge on the 1/3 mile oval for the event, including Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Rick Rickman, Scott Dedwylder, Jeremy Broadus, Jason Brock, Eric Cooley, Chad Thrash, Brian Rickman, Kyle Beard, Scott Creel, Jamie Elam, Cliff Williams, Henry Cooper, Hunter Rasdon, Leon Henderson, Mark Dodson, Dane Dacus, and many more.
Cattleman’s Steak and Fish Restaurant in Columbus will sponsor a $200 fast-time award.
The NeSmith Weekly Late Models, Street Stocks, and Mini Stocks also will be on the program.
The driver’s meeting is slated for 6:30 p.m., with racing action at 7 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is $20, with ages 11-18, seniors, and military $10. Ages 10 and under are free in the grandstands. Pit admission is $30 for adults, with ages 7-18 $15, and ages 6 and under free.
Several of these pilots will use the Weekly Racing Series Event Saturday as a tuneup for the big race.
For more information, visit www.ColumbusSpeedway.net, or call Mike Mauldin at 662-213-3047, or Jeff Greer at 256-349-4328.
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