Benton County and Independence Motor Speedway Release 2014 Racing Schedule
The Benton County Speedway (Vinton, IA) and the Independence Motor Speedway (Independence, IA) have both released their 2014 dirt track racing schedule. Once again, each track will race under the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) banner. It will be a heavy mix of the familiar with a little new thrown for both tracks.
On March 30, the Cedar Valley will hear the familiar roar of engines come back to life. Benton County Speedway (BCS) will open the gates that Sunday for the annual Spring Shakedown. The following week will see the traditional Frostbuster return to Iowa. Five nights of racing that begins that Thursday, and BCS will host the final night on Sunday, April 6. The BCS Weekly Racing Series will kickoff the following Sunday (April 13).
The Independence Motor Speedway (IMS) will begin racing on Friday, April 18. For the second straight year, the season will start with their Open Wheel Shootout. The Sprint Invaders Series will headline the night. The IMS Weekly Racing series will begin Saturday, April 26th.
BCS has a few new tricks up their sleeve for the 2014 racing campaign. The introduction of the 'BCS Micro Mods.' Their inaugural season runs June 1st through August 17. Rules for this class will mirror the same rules that are used at the Upper Iowa Speedway for their '600 Mod' rules.
The IMCA Late Model Sunday Series will launch in 2014. With a schedule of 12 races, the Sunday night facilities of I-35 Speedway (Mason City), Stuart Speedway (Stuart), and the Benton County Speedway have each added four dates for the IMCA sanctioned Late Models to their weekly schedules. IMCA will recognize a series champion and IMCA points will be awarded.
IMS will also see its share of late model specials. The Midwest Latemodel Racing Association (MLRA) will make their first every visit to the the three-eighths mile dirt oval. The $3,000-to-win event will join the weekly program on Saturday, May 10. The World of Outlaws Late Model Series returns on a new night, Thursday, July 24. The IMCA Summer Series makes its annual stop on Tuesday, July 1.
Mainstay events will also return to both speedplants. The IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour kick off their season at BCS on Tuesday, May 13. The BCS Hogan Memorial is slated for Sunday, July 13. Independence will host the 8th annual Dick Frye Memorial, during the Buchanan County Fair, on Saturday, July 19.
The Independence Motor Speedway season will close August 23 with season championship night for the five weekly divisions. Special events for the month of September are tentative. The Benton County Speedway will conclude Sunday, September 14, with a potential show to be added on September 28.