The 21st annual Premier Ford Magnolia State 100 will come to life today and Saturday at Columbus Speedway.
The top Super Late Model drivers in the region as well as many of the best in the nation will once again fill the pits at “The Baddest Bullring in the South” to do wage an all-out war for a record purse including a $25,010 winner”s share of over $75,000 in Super Late Model purse money on the line in the 100-lap affair. Last years event drew almost 200 race teams including 70 Super Late Models to Columbus Speedway plus another huge crowd to the popular event.
The event is one of the biggest Short Track Racing events in America and easily the biggest race in Mississippi based on number of participants and attendance. For 2010, the winner”s share has been increased to a massive $25,010, which is $5,000 more than 2009.
The names that adorn the Magnolia State 100 prestigious champion”s list illustrates that adding a Magnolia State 100 win to a driver”s resume is no easy task. Two-time and defending Champion, Shane Clanton, of Locust Grove, Ga., headlines a list of winners in Mississippi”s biggest short track event that includes Chris Wall, Don O”Neal, Mike Marlar, Anthony Rushing, Wendell Wallace, Ronnie Johnson, Terry English, Rex Richey, Johnny Virden, and “Mr. Smooth” Billy Moyer, who has won the event seven times.
A host of the nation”s top competitors have indicated that they plan to attempt to add their name to the list this weekend. Former event champions Mike Marlar, Wendell Wallace, and Anthony Rushing are expected along with a talented list of more than 80 pre-entries that will feature Steve Francis, Shane Clanton, Clint Smith, Bub McCool, Freddy Smith, Chris Madden, David Breazeale, Billy Moyer Jr., Kyle Beard, Jonathan Davenport, Dane Dacus, Tony Knowles, Tim Busha, and many more.
The highly entertaining format for the event is in place for the fans. Drivers will compete tonight in Pepsi Pole Qualifying.
Saturday night”s lineup will feature 140 laps of Super Late Model racing action. Those competitors who didn”t make the $25,010-to-win main event through heat races Friday night get two chances to get make the 26-car starting field. Drivers unable to transfer through one of the three frantic 10-lap B-mains will have a final opportunity to make the big show in the 10-lap Last Chance Dash. And then, finally, the big one — the $25,010-to-win/$1,000-to-start, 100-lap battle royal.
The Magnolia State Championships showcase talent outside of the Super Late Model division. A spectacular field of Street Stocks will compete for $1,000-to-win/$100 to start, Magnolia State Street Stock Championship and Crates Late Models will compete for a record $2,500-to-win/$150-to-start prize for the Magnolia State Crate Late Model Championship that should draw a huge field of cars. In addition, the Open Wheel Modified division will compete in a $700-to-win/$50-to-start event Saturday night.
Local division heats are also run on Friday night.
Coolers and lawn chairs are always welcome and radios can be tuned to 88.1 FM to hear the Columbus Speedway area broadcast from the tower. Fans should also note there will be a driver”s autograph session from 5-5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Drivers please note transponders and Raceceivers are required for all divisions, with the exception of the Open Wheel Modifieds, which will only be required to have Raceceivers. Transponsders and Raceceivers will be available for rental at the track.
Additional Magnolia State 100 information is available by the Columbus Speedway event hotline at 662-241-5004. Columbus Speedway and complete Magnolia State 100 information can be found at www.columbusspeedway.net .
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