Competitors and race fans alike got to enter the gates of the new Cleveland Speedway for the first time Tuesday night for a Free Open Practice.
After last Friday's disappointing rain-out of the annual ShamRock, many competitors wanted to shakedown their respective race cars before this Friday's newly-scheduled season opener.
Officials have announced "Twin 25's" Features will now kick off the season with bonus money up for grabs in the Steelhead Late Model and Crate Late Model classes. Both divisions will see 25-lap features with racing wrapping up Friday night with A-Hobby, B-Hobby and Pony division races.
Owners and Promoters of the 1/3 mile dirt track are still working on finding a rescheduled date for the ShamRock event in the coming weeks.
On hand Tuesday for Open Practice were several former Cleveland Speedway Track Champions as well as a couple series and big event winners. Lots of teams have (like NASCAR) changed drivers and made their debut with their new teams Tuesday. Former Track Champion Lil' John Ownbey of Cleveland has left OHMS Racing and their highly successful 2014 season for a family racing endeavor. Ownbey will now pilot a new # 44 "Sams Restaurant Equipment, Auto Depot, Stealth Racing Carburetors, Outlaw Racing Equipment" sponsored Labonte Bros. Longhorn chassis. Two-time Cleveland Speedway Track Champion and former Southern All-Star Series Champion Jamie Perry was practicing his P4 "Powell & Swanson, Mark Heatherly Construction, Cotton's Service Center" sponsored CVR race car, with not many changes to his 2015 program.
Former Talladega Short Track "Ice Bowl" Champion Bobby Mayse of Harrison, had his race car practicing as did Jerry Coffman, who just recently captured Steelhead LM victory at the Dixie Speedway outside Atlanta. Racers such as Lamar Scoggins, Kayne Hickman, Tod Hernandez and rookie Crate LM driver Jeremy Hicks all took laps with their respective race cars.
Racing kicks off this Friday for all classes at 7 p.m. EST. Fast Time $100 bonuses from Island Cove Marina of Harrison will be awarded from qualifying in the Steelhead and Crate classes. Bonus $100 heat race winner money from A-1 Towing & Service Center of Chattanooga are also on-tap for Friday night.