Tracks: Late Model Thunder at Bloomington
5 August 1998
BLOOMINGTON, IN - The Northern All-Stars late model stock car series makes its first visit to Bloomington Speedway on Friday night as the south-side powerplant begins a busy month. Late model racing has always been exciting on Bloomington's red clay banks, and this new series will deliver high-powered competition. The 30-lap feature event will pay $2,000 to win and $150 to start. Friday is the first night of a busy double-header for the All-Stars who will go into action at Brownstown Speedway on Saturday.Bloomington's Ernie and Brad Barrow represent a potent one-two punch at the oval they know well. But the opposition will include Northern All-Stars point leader Jeff Wilson. Looking at the All Stars point list after 13 of 25 events, Ernie Barrow stands third, 185 behind Doug McCammon, and 215 from Wilson. Steve Barnett is fourth, followed by Marty O'Neal, Tory Collins and Bedford's Cale Kern. Kern was also a regular at Bloomington Speedway until climbing the ladder to the late model division. Mike Bechelli, Scott Smith and Derek Ramp round out the points top ten. Late model stars Don O'Neal, Dan Sturgeon, Kevin Claycomb, James Huff, Kevin Weaver, Terry Eaglin, Dion Deason, Mark Barber and Tony Stewart have also competed with the Northern All-Stars this season.
The complete racing program will also feature the WalMart Tire & Lube Express Street Stocks and Bloomington's open wheel modifieds competing for $350 first prize. Also on the card is a real hooligan, the open wheel modified owners and mechanics race.
Family priced general admission is just $10, with fans 12 years old and under admitted free with an adult. Grandstand gates open at 5:30, with action picking up at 6:30 and racing at 7:45. The pit gate opens at 4:30, with pit admission $20.
