Peoria Speedway releases 2017 schedule
By Jeff Adams for the Journal Star
Peoria Speedway released its 2017 racing schedule this week, and it kicks off with an old tradition being revived for this season. After years off, the Northwoods Mall Race Car show roars back to life on Feb. 18, with several cars on display. On-track actions begin with two practice sessions on March 18 and 25, followed by Norwood Pub & Grub opening night of UMP racing action on April 1. The first special event will be the Chuck Hamilton Memorial for UMP Late Models on April 8, paying $5,000 to win. The Gary Cook Jr. Memorial will pay $2,064 to win for UMP Modifieds on April 15, with weekly UMP racing shows every weekend from April 22 to May 20. The AMA All-Star Flat Track Motorcycle Series returns for two dates on Friday, May 26, and Aug. 11. The Aug. 11 race will kick off AMA Grand Nationals weekend in Peoria. On Monday, May 29, the Billy Neal Memorial will pay $2,000 for UMP Modifieds, with a Topless Special for all classes except Street Stocks and Hornets on June 3. June 10, 17 and 24 are weekly shows, with the UMP Summernationals returning on Monday, June 26. Other specials at the track include: Mid Season Championships on July 8; MOWA 410 Winged Sprint Cars, July 26; Bartonville Express Lube Street Stock Championships, Sept. 2; Fall Classic for AMS Modifieds, Sept. 22 and 23; Jon Hamilton Memorial/ Illinois State Championships for UMP Late Models, Sept. 30; Norwood Pub & Grub Season Championships, Oct. 7, and Old Timers Day, Oct. 8.
A big congratulations goes out to Peoria promoter Jason Plumer on winning the UMP Promoter of the Year award at the UMP Banquet in Springfield on Jan. 14. It’s a huge, well-deserved honor for both Plumer and Brandon Dean, who co-own the Farmington Road oval. The award is one of the most prestigious in all of dirt track racing. Well done.
For more information on the track and its 2017 racing plans, fans can log on to www.peoriaspeedway.com.
Jeff Adams can be reached at dirtwriter18@gmail.com.
