Shamrock Twin 40's Race: Saturday Is Cleveland Speedway Season Opener

  • Friday, March 25, 2016
  • Steve Hixson

KEY NOTES:  The annual ShamRock was a creation of Joe Lee Johnson and B.J. Parker (some 20 years ago) and was a "bookend" type event designed for Cleveland to kick off the season with a big event, much like the "Gobbler" closes each season. With the delay of the leasing of the track, unfortunately all series were filled up, prompting promoter Mike Simmons to take a smaller role for the usual $10,000 to-WIN event. Hence this years race has been localized to a pair of "TWIN" $2,000 to-WIN / 40 lap feature events. One for Crate's and one for SLM's. For the first time in over 10-years SLM's weekly action returns to Cleveland Speedway beginning Saturday, April 9.

WHO TO WATCH: Many drivers are planning on running "Double Duty" Saturday night. Riley Hickman of Ooltewah is the reigning Southern All-Star three time champion and is fresh off his two wins last Saturday at Duck River Raceway Park winning the UCRA feature and the SLM feature. Another former (SAS and Track Champion) Jamie Perry will likely be debuting his new purple Longhorn chassis in either or both of this weekends races. Lil' John Ownbey will be tough as the Cleveland, Tenn. racer plans to race his blue Longhorn as well as Richard Austin's # A-19. 

POINTS CHASE: Last years champions and many runners up will likely be in competition at Cleveland. Jake Teague will likely be there with his 2015 UCRA championship team. Ethan Hunter of Tiger, Ga. who won the co-Track Championship, will likely be in competition.  

EXPECTED ENTRANTS: Many UCRA racers are planning on coming to Cleveland Speedway to gain seat time for the upcoming May "Tennessee Memorial Race" on May 21. Added to the $2,000 to-WIN $150 to-Start purse is a $100 bonus to any of the March 19 Duck River Raceway Park entrants that finish within the Top 5 Saturday night at Cleveland Speedway. Jimmy Elliott, Cory Hedgecock, Todd Morrow, Jerry Coffman, Bryan Pritchard, Paul Tims, Jimmy Brown and Zach Dunsmore are all expected.

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