Top 10: Short Track Racing Events of Intrigue in 2019There are great short track racing events that take place all over North America each year, but for one reason or another, there are always a few that are more intriguing than others. In some cases, it's because it's a new event. In other cases, it's because of an increased purse or a new race format.
We've put together a list of what we believe to be the top 10 most intriguing races for the upcoming 2019 short track racing season.
#1 - Canadian Short Track Nationals at Jukasa (ONT) - Welcome to short track racing promotion 101. If you want to create interest in an event, put the winning amount on a pedestal. Jukasa Motor Speedway (ON) is in a position to offer up one of the best pavement Late Model purses in North America. Sure it’s a Canadian purse, but the $75,000 check still converts into $56,000 in U.S. dollars. Not to mention, Jukasa is one of the nicest short track racing venues in North America.
#2 - FASTRAK World Championship at Virginia Motor Speedway - To celebrate the 50th season of racing at Virginia Motor Speedway, the biggest (dirt) Pro Late Model race in the universe will be even bigger in 2019. The FASTRAK World Championship will pay a whopping $50,000 to win and $2,000 to start, making it one of the most anticipated events of the Dirt Late Model season.
#3 - Speed51 Super Select at Lucas Oil Raceway (IN) - Mother Nature didn't cooperate during the first attempt to complete the first winner-take-all Super Late Model All-Star Race, so the anticipation continues to build for the inaugural event in 2019. With a strong roster of drivers from all over the country once again expected to compete, this will be a can't-miss event for Late Model race fans.
#4 - PASS Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway (VA) - Short track racing will return to Richmond Raceway on March 30, 2019. The Commonwealth Classic, originally scheduled for October 2018, was moved to March due to a poor weather forecast. The rescheduled event will now include PASS Super Late Models, Tour-type Modifieds, ACT Late Models, MASS Street Stocks and Mini Stocks.
#5 - CARS Tour at Orange County Speedway (NC) - Late Model Stock Car racers asked for bigger purses, and the CARS Tour has given it to them. The Visit Orange County Old North State Nationals will be a 200-lap race at Orange County Speedway. The $30,000- to-win event will Trump the Martinsville race and become the richest race of the year for Late Model Stock Cars.
#6 - ARCA Midwest Tour at The Milwaukee Mile (WI) - Anytime The Milwaukee Mile opens its doors, short track racing fans get excited to see the venue in operation. We saw some good shows with the Howie Lettow a few years back. Hopefully the 75-lap Midwest Tour event on Father's Day is a big hit and the series will return for many years to come.
#7 - All American 400 (x2) at Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville (TN) - Because of a nasty rain forecast and no open weekends at the end of the 2018 season, the All American 400 will be run twice in 2019. We have seen this happen with the Red Eye 100 and the Myrtle Beach 400 where it was run twice in the same season. The All American could create two totally different races playing out in very different outcomes.
In addition to the track's most prestigious event, Nashville will also be covering the quarter-mile oval in dirt for a special World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series show in 2019.
#8 - Masters of the Pro's at Memphis International Raceway (TN) - One of the biggest Pro Late Model races of the year is headed south to Memphis International Raceway, also heralding a return for Late Model stars to this fast Tennessee track. Pro Late Model racing might be where it’s at in 2019 as big events are happening up and down the county for big bucks.
#9 - Bullring Bash Quarter-Mile Challenge - A trio of new Tour-type Modified events will be held in the Northeast in 2019. The Bullring Bash, a creation of former Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park general manager Josh Vanada, will bring Modified racing to Thunder Road (VT) and White Mountain Motorsports Park (NH). This three-race series will certainly be something to keep an eye on next season.
#10 - Oktoberfest at LaCrosse Turns 50- It’s been the biggest party in Wisconsin for a long time now. Each year, hundreds of race cars show up to LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in October to end their season. This year, all eyes will be on this event as it turns 50 years old.
BONUS: Winter Showdown at Kern County Raceway Park (CA) - We just couldn't stop at 10, so we decided to give you a bonus event. Is this event a Super Late Model crown jewel? It pays $30,000-to-win and features top talent from throughout North America, but we'll let you ultimately decide the answer to that question. Either way, it's a spectacular event at a top-notch facility and worth keeping an eye on.