Montgomery Motor Speedway

Bomber Division to Start in 2012 at Montgomery Motor Speedway

PBoswell — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:09:25 +0000

New class to provide plenty of excitement in the new season.

A new entry-level, low-cost division, the Bombers, will debut at Montgomery Motor Speedway in 2012.

MONTGOMERY, AL (February 11, 2012) – The 2012 season is shaping up to be full of excitement at Montgomery Motor Speedway. All of the action-packed divisions from last year will be returning, including the Pro Late Model, Street Stock, Mini-Mod, Buzz, and Super Stock. The Modified and Truck divisions will also be returning to the half-mile speed plant.

All of those divisions will be accompanied by a new beginner division in the 2012 season. The division will consist of low-cost, easy-to-build cars. The rules will be identical to those used in the popular Bomber division at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL. At Five Flags, the division consistently has the largest car-counts from week to week, as well as providing the fans with incredible racing action.

“This entry level class of racing is fun and easy on the pocket books, “ Montgomery Motor Speedway General Manager, Chris Carter had to say, “they put on an awesome show as well.”

The Bomber division will debut April 21, 012 at Montgomery Motor Speedway, accompanied by the Modified division running a 50 lap special, as well as the Street Stock and Buzz divisions.

For more information about Montgomery Motor Speedway and the new Bomber division please visit http://www.montgomeryspeedway.com

Renew Your Car Number for 2012!

PBoswell — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:40:06 +0000

Starting in 2012, there will be no duplicate car numbers allowed for full time competitors in the local divisions at Montgomery Motor Speedway.

We understand that cars coming from different areas may have the same car numbers as some of our regular competitors. There is nothing we can really do to avoid this.

If you plan on racing the entire season at Montgomery Motor Speedway in any of the local divisions (Super Stock, Modified, Truck, Street Stock, Mini-Mod, or Buzz) please contact me, Paul Boswell, either by email at paul.boswell@montgomeryspeedway.com or phone (334) 494-6326. Please note, if you call and there is no answer, leave a message with your name and telephone number. I will call you back.

Numbers will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Drivers who want to keep the number they used last year will get first choice of renewing their numbers until February 29, 2012. If two or more drivers used the same car numbers in 2011, the driver with the highest points finish in that division will get first choice to renew his/her number. After February 29, all numbers will be up for grabs. Register your car number NOW to ensure you get to use that number. There is no fee for car number registration in 2012.

Click Here for a current list of registered car numbers.

Want excitement in 2012? Look no further than the Buzz division!

PBoswell — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:56:49 +0000

Steve Jones (192) leads a pack of Buzz division cars at Montgomery Motor Speedway

There are many different divisions that compete all around the country. Of all of those divisions, Montgomery Motor Speedway’s Buzz division may just be the most exciting.

This division consistently held the highest car counts of any of the local divisions at the half-mile in 2011. The division had a total of thirty-two drivers compete in nine races in 2011, with car counts averaging 13-16 cars each race. The Buzz saw five different drivers take victories in 2011 including Floyd Brown (3 wins), Brandon Thornton (2 wins), Josh Wood (2 wins), Jacob Capps (1 win), and Roger Wood Jr. (1 win).

One of the mainstays of the Buzz class is the on-track action. The division had many of the most exciting races from start to finish, including many last-lap passes. There is no doubt that in 2012, the Buzz division will be the one to watch for plenty of excitement.

MMS Announces New Points System for 2012

PBoswell — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:46:37 +0000

For Immediate Release:

A new points system has been developed and set in to place for the 2012 season at Montgomery Motor Speedway. Paul Boswell, MMS Chief of Timing and Scoring, was not happy with the way the point system worked out in 2011, and set out to make a change for the new season.

“Last season, the points system that was in place only gave two points per position, no matter whether it was first or last. “ said Boswell, “This basically meant, that there was no added incentive to push for the win at the end of a race. With a win paying only two points more than second, many drivers would just ride and stay consistent. I believe a win should be more important, and it will also make it more exciting for the fans.”

Another important factor into the point system change was the lack of qualifying attempts by some of the top drivers. With the race lineup rule that was in place for 2011, any drivers who finished in the top three of the previous race would have to start at the rear of their next race. With no points being awarded for qualifying, many of the top drivers would opt not to make an attempt.

“Qualifying was very disappointing last year. “ stated Boswell, “With the top three rule in place, the fans didn’t get to see some of the faster cars go out and qualify. They would just choose not to try since they had to start at the rear anyway, and I don’t really blame them. The fans deserve more, though, so hopefully with qualifying points being awarded this year, they will all give it a shot.”

The new points system will award the winning driver 50 points, while second place will receive 45 points. The margin decreases as you go deeper in the field. Three bonus points will also be awarded to the winner, as well as a bonus point for each driver leading a lap, and a bonus point for the driver who leads the most laps. This means, the minimum points the race winner will receive is 54, up from the 50 of last year. The second place car will at most receive 47 points providing he or she leads the most laps. With a seven point minimum margin from first to second, a win will be more important than ever.

“We wanted to really make sure that winning meant something. Hopefully this will make for more action on the race track, as well as preventing drivers from just riding a consistent 3^rd or 4^th to win a championship. I want to thank the new GM Chris Carter, as well as Ricky Brooks for helping out in creating this point system.”

The new system will go into effect for all divisions, including the Show Me the Money Series, at the season opening Show Me the Money 100 on March 31, 2011. For more information about Montgomery Motor Speedway or the new points system please log on to www.MontgomerySpeedway.com.

To contact MMS Chief of Timing and Scoring, Paul Boswell, with any questions regarding the new point system or scoring, email paul@bozpc.com or call (334) 494-6326

Chris Carter Named General Manager of MMS

PBoswell — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:26:00 +0000

Chris Carter is the General Manager of Montgomery Motor Speedway

“Montgomery Motor Speedway has a long storied history that includes being known as one of the best racetracks in the Southeast. It always has great finishes and some of the best side by side racing there is to offer and that is how we want to keep it here at MMS,” said new General Manager/Promoter Chris Carter.

MMS owner Bobby Knox hired Carter two weeks ago and he immediately went to work in publishing the 2012 rules and the 2012 Show Me the Money Pro Late Model Series schedule.

“I know the drivers want to have everything regarding next year right now,” Carter said, “I am not here to make wholesale changes, obviously someone (Knox) has been doing something right because there’s a fine half mile facility still operating in Montgomery, AL.”

Carter has confirmed that the first race of the 2012 season, March 31, will have NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and 1983 Winston Cup Champion Bobby Allison as the event’s Grand Marshall, and you can expect more announcements regarding the first race in the near future.

One of the things at the top of Carter’s list is lowering some prices and making a family fun night at the track affordable again. He also is working on bringing the Super Late Models to compete at MMS as well as a Tampa Bay Area Racing Association Sprint Car race.

“I have a long list, so much to do in such a short time, I want the drivers, the fans, the media or whoever to know that I will listen, there is no doubt in my mind that there is so many people out there that go, ‘you know if they tried this…’, well I am open to listening to that person”.

Carter most recently worked for Rick Crawford at Mobile International Speedway last year as the track announcer, and has been involved with MIS since the late 90′s.

“When Cale Gale came along at MIS I will be the first to tell you I grabbed that kid by the coat tail and I never let go. I know for a fact if Cale would not have let me be a part of his career from that day I grabbed him, that I would not be in the position I am in now. I learned so much at all levels of racing including being the General Manager/Promoter at Sunny South Raceway in 2008, a quarter mile Legends track. I knew I had my hands full the second I was told it was my job to take, I didn’t expect it to happen actually, but it did and we had a successful year”.

“I want to thank Bobby Knox for this opportunity, this is what I live for and no doubt this is a dream come true. I also want to thank Ricky Brooks and the many many others that have played a part in this happening especially two of my mentors: Chris Knight and Courtney Sauter, and a special thank you to Eddie Pearson.

If you want to contact Carter you can reach him at 228.424.8503 or 336.695.7075 or doublecmedia@gmail.com.

Robbins puts two SMM wins towards ’11 championship

PBoswell — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:29:00 +0000

Hunter Robbins Hoists the 2011 Show Me the Money Series Championship Trophy during the Alabama 200 Weekend.

MONTGOMERY, AL (November 03, 2011) — Hunter Robbins has won a race in each of the three Show Me the Money seasons to date. However, the full-time Auburn Univrsity student stepped it up a notch in 2011.

Robbins claimed victory twice at the Alabama half-mile, en route to his first SMM championship. He joins fellow Alabama racers Augie Grill and John Bolen as the series’ champions, keeping the tradition of shutting out a strong field of contenders from Texas, Georgia, and other states.

Robbins drove into the record books on the strength of a 4.5 average finish. His name is only found outside of the top ten once on official results – a 13th-place result on June 04.

The title came down to the final event – The Alabama 200 – with Robbins barely holding off Texan Jason Young. Rounding out the year with one less win, one less top five and one more DNF (2), Young was no match for Robbins when the final standings were tallied.

Street Stockers offering fans all they’ve got Saturday

PBoswell — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:24:47 +0000

Richard Patino prepares his popular No. 51 Street Stock machine for battle, prior to The Show Me the Money 100 in April 2011. (Z3Sports.com photo)

Local heroes get rare chance to show fans 100 laps of excitement

MONTGOMERY, AL (September 15, 2011) — The Montgomery (AL) Motor Speedway Street Stock division will follow Alabama 200 Pole Qualifying Saturday night with an action-packed prelude to Sunday’s Show Me the Money Series Alabama 200. The Street Stocks, who are accustomed to racing 25-lap features, will have their endurance tested in a 100-lap thriller on September 17.

Many of the Street Stock drivers have never raced such a distance before. However, one that has is Deatsville, AL driver and 2011 Street Stock division champion, Billy Ammons. He has experience in the Frank Kimmel Street Stock
Nationals circuit, racing long-distance Street Stock races at tracks like Bristol (TN) Motor Speedway and Kentucky Motor Speedway. He says having this prior experience in long-distance races could give him an advantage over the competition.

“I think its going to help a little knowing how to save our equipment, and not trying to go out there and win it in the first 25 laps,” Ammons commented.

He also knows some of the changes he will have to make to his car to complete a 100-lap race.

“We will have to do a few different things,” the regular contender said. “We’ll have to run a full synthetic gear oil and make sure all the air boxes are real tight. These cars tend to run hot sometimes.”

Many drivers from nearby race tracks have expressed interest in this special event for the Street Stocks. Some drivers who have inquired include current South Alabama Speedway Street Stock division and Viper Series points leader Brandon Odom, current Sportsman division points leader at Five Flags (FL) Speedway, Brannon Fowler, and current Sportsman division points leader at Mobile (AL) International Speedway, Randy Thompson.

Long-time Street Stock division competitor at Montgomery Motor Speedway, Richard Patino has high hopes for winning this, the longest Street Stock race held at the nearly sixty year old track. He knows, however, that it will be a difficult task.

“It would be like a dream of mine,” Patino stated with a grin. “Not only am I racing 100 laps, but I am racing at my home track, so it would be a dream for us to win this race. It is probably going to be very difficult, but definitely we have a shot.”

The Alabama 200 Weekend at Montgomery Motor Speedway begins Friday, September 16, 2011, with testing and tuning for teams. The speedway will be open for practice from 3:30pm until 9:00pm and grandstand admission is free.

Saturday, September 17, the action continues with Pole Qualifying for The Alabama 200 and The Street Stock 100, followed by features in local divisions. The Street Stock 100 will conclude the exciting night of racing.

The Alabama 200 for The Show Me the Money Series will headline Sunday afternoon’s events at the historic half-mile. A Last Chance race for the Pro Late Models of “The 200,” as well as a Powder Puff race, and the 200 green flag lap Alabama 200 are on the card.

Fans are invited to come out to the track free of charge on Friday, to witness the cars and stars prepare for The Alabama 200 Weekend.

Saturday, the action begins at 5:15pm with qualifying, immediately followed by racing.

Sunday, racing starts at 12:30pm.

For more information please visit www.alabama200.com or call the speedway office at (334) 262-6101.

Spence to command Alabama 200

PBoswell — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:57:06 +0000

MONTGOMERY, AL (September 08, 2011) — The Alabama 200 at Montgomery (AL) Motor Speedway just keeps getting bigger and better. The signature event for the super fast half-mile oval has grown so much hype that not only famous drivers and race teams are coming onboard to be a part of the action.

Today, Alabama 200 executives are announcing that Dan Spence, of Mobile, AL, will serve as race director for this year’s version of “The 200″ – a point paying race for the track’s Show Me the Money Series.

Spence is no stranger to the position of highest authority on race day – the position responsible for everything from ensuring fans are not in high danger zones to penalizing drivers for unsportsmanlike conduct. His resume includes NASCAR, The All Pro Super Series and more. The Alabama native is most proud of his tour of duty with the now-defunct ASA (American Speed Association) AC Delco Challenge Series.

Although his history in motorsports is long and respectable, he is not exactly coming out of retirement to lead The Alabama 200. Actually, his distinct voice will assign orders to drivers and officials alike this Friday night, September 09, at Five Flags (FL) Speedway. Spence serves as full-time race director there, as well as Mobile (AL) International Speedway.

The most notable mark on his career is indisputably standing atop mission control for The Annual Snowball Derby. With hundreds of cars onsite for each year’s Derby vying for limited starting positions, chaos is a probability for most, but not for Spence. It is that fact that led Alabama 200 Promoter Bobby Knox to lure him to the team for the September spectacle.

“I know what we want The Alabama 200 to be and I know that we need someone with Dan’s experience to help make that happen,” Knox said on Wednesday. “You can’t dispute that he’s about the most experienced and talented [race director] out there. I’m just happy that he took the job for The Alabama 200. He’ll make sure our loyal fans are well entertained and our drivers are well taken care of, too. He’ll help make it feel as special as it is.”

Currently serving as race director for The Buddy’s Home Furnishings Blizzard Series, The Miller Lite Series, The Allen Turner Hyundai Series and The Midwest Cooling Towers Series, Spence is on a first-name basis with most any driver likely to enter The Alabama 200.

His heavy racing affiliation might sound like a lot to juggle, but it is not enough for Spence, who is an avid race fan himself. His educational resume is just as impressive as his racing resume. Spence spends most of his weekdays teaching seventh and eight grade students and coaching junior high and high school football and basketball.

Although he seems to be a man who has done it all in 41 years as a race official, Spence is easily excited by the thought of being a part of the historic race – a race that was once a vital part of The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and has been won by the likes of Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.

“I’m just excited that they’re keeping the race going,” Spence said. “There’s a long history there. The first Alabama 200 that I actually helped work was sometime in the 70′s, so I’ve been around it for a long time. They asked me to come in and work the race; I just hope to come in and help build it into something that, you know, to reestablish it and try to keep building it for the future.”

When asked why he does it and why he loves it, the answer Spence gives has nothing to do with fast cars or the smell of spent racing fuel.

“The biggest thing that I’ve enjoyed is the people,” he said. “Being involved in this for so long, you meet somebody from every walk of life that exists…but they’re all on equal footing [at the racetrack]. I think that really makes it interesting.”

Dating back to his days within The ASA AC Delco Challenge Series – a national touring series – Spence has a unique connection with Montgomery Motor Speedway. During the tour’s only visit to Alabama, the racing surface began to come apart in turn one, under the strain of a unique tire brand and compound not used in any other short track series. Spence had a hand in orchestrating a concrete repair mission that would grow to be a trademark of Montgomery Motor Speedway. The patch job worked and the race was held as planned later that day.

“The concrete” as the visually noticeable patch of concrete in a proverbial sea of asphalt came to be known, was even featured in lifelike video game renderings of the speedway. A 2010 repaving of the track hid much of the history of that day, opening the door for new memories to be made. Spence hopes to help make those memories priceless, but he will not do it alone.

Ivo Estes, who serves as race director for regular season Show Me the Money Series events, will assist Spence on race day. Together, the pair hopes to execute a flawless thriller for what they hope to be a sellout crowd.

The raw horsepower of Alabama 200 will be unleashed at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 18, 2011, but you do not have to wait that long for the excitement of witnessing the best drivers in the country. Testing and tuning gets underway Friday, September 16, with grandstand admission free of charge to all. Saturday, September 17 is Alabama 200 Pole Qualifying Day. That is when the first 28 starting positions in the field will be up for grabs, with those not making the show scheduled for last chance races on Sunday at 12:30 PM. Only the top three last chance finishers will transfer to the grand event.

Prior to qualifying – at 4:00 PM on Saturday, The Chilton County Cruisers will host a classic car show on the speedway grounds. Admission is free for spectators and car entry is open to all. More information may be obtained by contacting Ricky Easterling by telephone at (205) 389-0677.

Following Pole Qualifying on Saturday evening, which kicks off at 5:15 PM, the speedway’s Street Stock division will offer fans the drama of a rare 100-lap race for their mostly homemade cars. The Sportsman, Buzz, Mini-Modified and Mini-Sportsman wheelmen and wheelwomen will go door-t0-door as well.

Tickets to Pole Qualifying Day, including all events, are only $15 for adults, with children aged six to 12 years admitted for only $5. Children under the age of six are admitted free.

Sunday adult tickets will go on sale Friday afternoon for only $25, with children ages six to 12 admitted for $5 and those under age six welcome free.

For more information, please log on to www.alabama200.com or call the speedway office at (334) 262-6101. You can also stay connected through Facebook by visiting facebook.com/montgomerymotorspeedway and clicking “like” at the top of the page, or follow on Twitter by visiting twitter.com/montspeedway.