Late model car counts at RCS on the rise
Jun. 9—GRAND FORKS — Last week at River Cities Speedway, 38 late models were checked in to race at The Bullring. Granted, the headliner last week was the World of Outlaws. But 38 late models — for any night of racing RCS — was impressive.
Two weeks ago, 28 late models were on hand for the season opener at RCS.
That leads to this question: Will the average late model car count at RCS become the highest in track history?
It's too early to tell, but signs indicate late models will be a force at RCS this season.
Racing resumes Friday night at RCS, which will hold the first night of the Wayne Anderson Cup, a four-race event this season at The Bullring that has an increased payout.
Anderson, who was a major force in area sprint car racing, was one of the founders of RCS back in the 1990s.
The high late model car count has been surprising to some but not to some of the long-time drivers at RCS..
Joey Pederson, one of the top late model drivers at RCS for years, said he's not surprised by the strong turnout.
"Myself and other veteran drivers, for years, have been encouraging drivers in the lower divisions to step up and take a chance," said Pederson. "All of a sudden, we're seeing that this year. But it kind of started last year when we saw an uptick of cars. This season, there is a new influx of drivers who have stepped up.
Last week, RCS ran two B mains to whittle the field down to a 24-car starting grid.
"To see a B main at RCS in the late models on a night other than the John Seitz Memorial is unusual," said Pederson. "That hasn't happened a lot over the years. It may be a sign of the times."
Also, it may become more affordable to move up to the late model division for some racers in the streets and Midwest modifieds.
"The prices in the lower divisions have become so out of control," said Pederson, whose son, Tucker, races in the streets division. "When you compare the cost of those classes and what you're paid in prize money, it's ridiculous."
It wouldn't take much more money for drivers in the lower divisions to purchase a used, competitive late model and race for more money, said Pederson.
RCS pays $1,100 for winning the late model feature, considerably more than in the streets and Midwest modifieds.
It's hard to tell what the late model car count for Friday's show at RCS will be. But late model car counts last week — other than the one at RCS — were strong in Fergus Falls (38) and at the Sheyenne Speedway in Lisbon (23).
"I predict the John Seitz Memorial in September will see its highest-ever car count in the late models," said Pederson. "We'll see how this all plays out. But things have shifted. The late models are popular."
On the national scene this week, the Tony Stewart-owned Eldora Speedway is hosting the Eldora Million.
The winner of Thursday night's feature at Eldora was scheduled to receive $1,002,022. Hundreds of late model drivers from across the country competed at the two-day show in Rossburg, Ohio.
Stewart, by the way, was in the RCS pits last Friday for the World of Outlaws' show, won by Carson Mecedo.
Stewart owns the car driven by Donny Schatz, who finished third in the 35-lap feature.
