For the first time ever, a world of racing “legends” are making their way to the Cleveland Speedway this week for three days of scheduled racing action. After a two week hiatus, the sights, sounds and smells of dirt track will commence Thursday for the first day as the INEX US Legends series based out of Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina invade for the annual “Dirt Nationals” presented by Fitzgerald Glider Kits of Cookeville.
With 99 percent of the racers being new to Cleveland Speedway’s surface and layout, open practice will kick-off racing action Thursday afternoon before qualifying races take place Friday evening. Saturday’s championships are expected to draw a plethora of racers, many of which have already voiced their intent on competition of the Cleveland Speedway, LLC Facebook page and thru the INEX group governing the event.
An International flavor is set to come to Cleveland Speedway as Australian's Rob Rawlings, Michael Cook, Greg Davis and Brad Giffen are bringing their four car race team to America to challenge their might against a vast array of the American Big Leaguers.
“I am interested in determining how much more power the American’s have over us”, claimed Mr. Rawlings in a recent conversation with track PR Director Steve Hixson. "This event alone is shaping up to be an annual who’s who,” said Mr. Rawlings, who’s been fielding calls and interest from other International teams he has ties with in Australia. States-side a lot of chatter is coming out of Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Missouri with estimates of a dozen or so race teams headed to the Cleveland area. In all three classes of legends will be racing this weekend. The Semi Pro / Young Lions club, the Pro division and the Master class will be vying for $20,000.
What does this mean for the local economy? Well much like events such a cheerleading competition, Ironman World Championship races and other annual events that come to the Tennessee Valley area, it means a boost for local businesses such as hotel occupancy, restaurant revenues, as well as gas and private purchases at area stores. Not-to-mention the fact that it's introducing the wonderful fall scenery that could attract return business to our area once people witness the natural surroundings firsthand.
The Cleveland and Chattanooga Chambers of Commerce have never seen Cleveland Speedway as a tool of value to use or even acknowledge in the attempt to generate economic development. But the fact remains, the thousands of attendees that the racing facility hosts monthly (every March thru November) brings additional dollars into the local area.
On the local level of racing, the A-Hobby, B-Hobby, Road Warrior and ladies Powder Puff Diva’s division will see competition both Friday and Saturday nights as bonus cash heat races are scheduled for Friday. The UCRA Crate Late Model series will cap off Saturday’s championship $15,000 race night #3 with a full program of qualifying, heats, B-main(s) and a 40 lap feature. Cleveland Speedway’s earlier season UCRA event back in May drew 45-Crate race teams, which has track owners/promoters anxiously awaiting “final numbers” for the big event, that’s preceding the season finale Gobbler by five weeks.
The tracks official website www.ClevelandSpeedwayLLC.com has gate times and admission prices for this coming weekend. Also the track’s Facebook page has useful information on everything for the 1/3 mile clay banked dirt track.
Racing at the Cleveland Speedway