Scott Owen, Leader Columnist
Well, the 2016 version of the Sun Drop Shootout went off without a hitch. Mother Nature played nice and kept the rain away.
A good number of fans turned out to watch the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series as well as our local IMCA Modified and IMCA Sport Mods drivers tackle the historic half-mile. The night featured great racing throughout.
Georgia racer Shane Clanton won the top prize in the 50-lap Late Models feature, but it was no Sunday drive, as he had to deal with traffic all around the track while trying to stay ahead of series point leader Josh Richards.
Lance Arneson prevailed in the IMCA Modifieds feature after a multi-lap duel with Jerry Wilinski. Jordan Barkholtz pulled off the IMCA Sport Mods win after a spirited battle with Kevin Bethke.
The true stars of the night, though, may very well have been the track-prep duo of Bob Reiter and Bobby Reiter Jr. The father-and-son team had come under fire by some lately for not providing the best possible racing surface.
This week, like any other week, the pair put their heads down and went to work preparing the racing surface for Tuesday night’s event. The racing surface was impeccable all night long.
Racers in all divisions were able to race all over the racing surface. Possibly most impressive, though, was the fact that both the IMCA Modifieds feature and the Late Models feature ran without a single caution.
As a race fan myself, part of the attraction of dirt racing is the fact that the racing surface often changes week to week and even throughout the course of a race night. The challenge in preparing a dirt track, though, is the fact that Mother Nature has a lot to do with how racy or smooth a track is.
Moisture content is a vital ingredient in whether a track is smooth, fast, rough or dusty. In many ways, dirt-track prep is a black magic talent. This week, Bob and Bobby definitely found the right combination.
I don’t feel it is hyperbole to say that the track has never been better. Hats off to them and all the long hours spent behind the wheel of a grader, water truck or pack truck. The goal every week is to provide the best possible racing surface. This last week they nailed it. Thanks, boys.
See you at the speedway.