Portsmouth Raceway Park prepares for 2011 season
By: T. J. Layne

PORTSMOUTH, OH-The much anticipated 21st season of racing at the Coleman family owned Portsmouth Raceway Park is fast approaching with the annual PRP Kickoff Classic only a few weeks away. The 2011 season proves to be another strong one as promoter Donna Rayburn has once again assembled an impressive schedule.

Two holiday weekend appearances by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will once again highlight the 2011 PRP season. The series is set to invade PRP on Saturday, July 2nd for a 50 lap, $10,000 to win event and then again on September 2nd-3rd for the River Days Rumble Pepsi 75 that will pay $20,000 to the winner of the 75 lap feature. Earl Pearson Jr. and Dale McDowell were the winners of the two Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series shows in 2010.

Another holiday weekend event, the annual Big Red Book Stars and Stripes 35 returns to the schedule on Memorial Day weekend with a new twist. While the Late Model portion of the show will still pay the traditional $3,000 to win, the Modifieds, Limited Late Models, and Bombers will now all be vying for $1,000 to win in their respective division. Turning the Big Red Book Stars and Stripes 35 into a special event for all four weekly classes is sure to produce one of the highest overall car counts of the season. Former track champion Jackie Boggs won last years Big Red Book Stars and Stripes 35.

The 2011 season will also see the return of the STARS Late Models to Portsmouth Raceway Park. STARS, which returns to Dirt Late Model racing this season in the form of the STARS Midwest Dirt Racing League, will visit PRP on Saturday, July 30th for a $3,000 to win event. Justin Rattliff won the STARS MDRL Opener on April 23rd and is the current points leader.

One of the most popular races each year at PRP, the Fred Dillow Memorial returns to the schedule on Saturday, August 20th. The 17th annual Fred Dillow Memorial features special event races for the Late Model, Modified, Limited Late Model, and Bomber divisions. Last seasons Fred Dillow Memorial had the highest overall car count of any race at PRP in 2010. Tim Dohm (Late Model), Doug Adkins (Modified), John Melvin (Limited Late Model), and Jeremie Bretz (Bomber) were last years Fred Dillow Memorial winners.

The Mod Squad Spectacular, an event that is quickly becoming one of the top Modified races in the Midwest, also returns to the schedule this year with its traditional mid-July date on July 16th. This years third annual event will once again pay $5,000 to the winner of the 40 lap feature. Illinois driver Chad Kinder and multiple time track champion Doug Adkins are the two previous winners of this event.

Other events such as the Ohio Mod Lite Nationals, Weavers Gas and Oil Bomber Shootout, Vintage American Race Cars, Bozos Just Give Me One Lap, Premier Precast Limited Late Model Extravaganza, Kids Night sponsored by Roger W. Davis Funeral Home, and 93.7 The Dawg Fan Appreciation Night are on the 2011 schedule. Other events will be added to the 2011 schedule..

In addition to all of the special events, PRP will look to continue what has been one of the most successful weekly racing programs in the country. PRP’s weekly shows have long been known to have high car counts, stellar fields, and great racing action. PRP will continue this year with Late Models, Modifieds, Limited Late Models, and Bombers as the tracks four weekly divisions. R. J. Conley (Late Model), David McWilliams (Modified), Evyian Terry (Limited Late Model), and Jeremie Bretz (Bomber) will look to repeat as track champions.

The 2011 season at PRP will tentatively get underway on Saturday, May 21st with the PRP Kickoff Classic featuring Late Models-$2,000 to win, Modifieds-$600 to win, Limited Late Models-$500 to win, and Bombers-$400 to win. Gates will open at 4:00 pm with hot laps at 6:45 pm. Adult general admission is $12 with pit passes $22. For more information please visit www.portsraceway.com.