I-30 to host Arkansas State Championships

By Steve Molnar

LITLE ROCK, AR (September 9, 1999) - I-30 Speedway is proud to announce that it is hosting the 1st Annual Arkansas State Championships this weekend. The program will be highlighted by the return of the O’Reilly Southern United Professional Racing (SUPR) Late Model Series. Joining the O’Reilly SUPR Late Models will be the IMCA Modifieds, the Street Stocks and the Hobby Stocks.

Racing will get underway Friday night, September 10th with SUPR heat race action and full racing programs in the IMCA, Street and Hobby divisions. The racing continues on Saturday September 11 with SUPR Last Chance races and a second set of full race programs in the IMCA, Street and Hobby divisions before the 40-lap O’Reilly SUPR Late Model feature race. As an added bonus, race fans will get an opportunity to experience the O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR simulator as it will be on hand Saturday night.

Duke Whiseant, of Texarkana, Arkansas will also be on hand attempting to back up his unprecedented string of victories at I-30 Speedway this season. Whiseant has claimed a victory at each of SUPR’s visits to I-30 Speedway. Duke won the Saturday night show back in April and returned to claim the Friday night show in June. Whiseant visited I-30 Speedway’s victory lane one more time as he claimed the biggest win of his career when he won the $5,000 to win GRT 50 in July. Whiseant has continued his winning ways, claiming the O’Reilly SUPR Late Model feature at Boothill Speedway last weekend. Duke’s strong performance has allowed him to close to within 10 points of current O’Reilly SUPR point leader David Ashley.

David Ashley, of Zachary, Louisiana hopes to extend that point lead as he aims for his first I-30 Speedway victory this year. He’ll have his hands full as Kenny Merchant of Ruston, Louisiana is expected to participate this weekend. Merchant has claimed 4 SUPR victories this year including a pair of wins over the Labor Day weekend. Merchant will be leading the contingency of Fords that is also expected to include local favorite Keith Craft.

Elizabeth Halpin Smith, who scored what is quite possibly the most popular victory ever at I-30 Speedway, is expected to return and try to duplicate that magical night. Elizabeth, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the only woman to win a dirt late model race with a major touring series and she accomplished that back June 19th at I-30 Speedway.

Admission Friday night is a low $8 per adult. In addition, when accompanied by an adult, teens 13-16 will be admitted for just $5 and kids 6-12 can enter for just $1. Saturday night admission is $15 for adults, teens 13-16 accompanying an adult $6 and kids 6-12 $2. Adults will receive a $3 discount on Saturday night with their ticket stub from Friday night.

I-30 Speedway is located 7 miles southwest of Little Rock just off Interstate 30 at the County Line Exit 126. For more information call the track at 501-455-4567. Come out for 2 great nights of racing action!