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(Warrensburg, MO) Opening night of the 2016 season at CMS is still over 80 days away; however, the staff remains busy and active even during the off-season. As reported earlier, 2016 marks the twenty-second year of operations at the track for owners and promoters Earl and Susan Walls.

Although it’s January and temperatures are near freezing, CMS already has two pre-season events under its belt for the year. In early January, several drivers participated in the annual registration and rules review meeting and just last weekend, CMS once again had a successful outing at the annual Bodee’s Racers Auction and Trade Show in Sedalia. To date, over 40 drivers have registered their name and number among the track’s four weekly racing divisions.

In the Pure Stock division, Don Johnson, Darrin Christy, Scott Martin, Amanda Sammons, Jason Ryun, Gary Akers, Rob Gard, Jason Cochran, and defending champion Jeremiah Wilson have completed their pre-season registration. Veteran driver Herb Dannar recently threw his name into the mix of Pure Stock drivers for the coming season.

Over the last couple seasons, Pure Stocks quickly became a fan favorite for close competition among drivers. This year is expected to be a breakout season for the division as the Walls recently announced a significant bump in the Pure Stock purse for 2016. The weekly event winner will now take home $250 for their efforts, which is double that of last year’s winner’s share. The start-money also sees an increase to $30.

B-Mods remained strong in 2015 averaging twenty-plus cars per week and 2016 is shaping up to be even stronger as the Walls have also increased the purse for B-Mod participants. The winner will now take away $500 for their efforts, up from $350 last year. Without question, B-Mods are the fastest growing class in dirt-track racing throughout the Midwest. CMS was one of the first tracks in the region to add the division to its weekly program.

Pre-registered B-Mod drivers for 2016 include Rick Anderson, Chad Staus, Buddy Thompson, Olen Stephens, Bill Small, last year’s runner-up Troy Carlyle, Dean Truelove, Terry Wilburn, Dallas White, Bradly Moore, 78-year old Ernie Walker, Cody Brill, and defending champion Jacob Ebert.

The Street Stock division ended 2015 with a bit of uncertainty; however, by December things quickly turned around for this fan-favorite division as several area tracks’ rules became more aligned, setting up what is sure to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory for the division. The winning Street Stock driver each week will take home $400 for the win, a $100 increase from last season.

This year’s stellar group of pre-registered Street Stock drivers includes last year’s champion Brett Wood and championship runner-up driver, Troy Turley. In addition to veteran driver Chad Eickleberry and up-and-comer Zack Smith, Derek Henson, Ted Welschmeyer, Brian Eckhoff, Jay Prevete, Clayton Campbell, Brian Inlow, Jeremiah Wilson, and past champion Brian Ziegler also pre-registered for racing at CMS. B-Mod standout Jacob Ebert also entered his name in the mix of pre-registered Street Stock drivers.

Defending Modified Track Champion Terry Schultz of Sedalia, who finished second in the national USRA Modified Standings last season, leads the group of pre-registered Modified drivers for the coming year, Justin Plumb, veteran driver Richard Kimberling, Jason Bodenhamer, Dean Wille, Danny Scrogham, and former B-Mod driver Richard Brainard have all completed early season registration for the USRA Modified division.

Off-season projects continue at the track with a new pit-side concessions stand and officials’ work area under construction; work recently began on the new front stretch fencing and work will soon begin on the new lighting system for the speedway as weather permits. These are the active projects that are going on at the speedway for 2016.

Opening night at CMS is Saturday, April 16th for Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce Night at the Races. After week one, 23 additional nights of racing remain with events running through early September. ULMA Late Models, Midwest Mod Lites, Allstar Midget Series, and Lightning Sprints are all set for guest class appearances throughout the year.

The first special event of the season takes place on Memorial Day weekend for two nights of racing beginning Saturday, May 28th when Pure Stocks compete for their $500-to-win special event. Then, on Sunday, the 29th, Modified drivers have $3,000 on the line during a 35-lap main event. Joining in on the night two action is the Allstar Midget Series, USRA B-Mods, and ULMA Late Models.

The track’s biggest race of the year takes place over the Independence Day Weekend when the Eleventh Annual Tom Wilson Memorial begins on Saturday, July 2nd with Street Stock drivers gunning for a $1,500-to-win 25-lap special event along with night one qualifying for the following night’s $5,000-to-Win, $1,000-to-Start, Modified main event. Racing resumes the next night on Sunday, July 3rd with night two qualifying and the 50-lap big money Modified finale. Additionally, ULMA Late Models compete in their ‘Triple Crown Shootout’ for $1,000-to-win, USRA B-Mods join in on the action, and a full fireworks show caps the evening.

The final special event of the year takes place during the Labor Day weekend with B-Mods highlighting the program on Saturday, September 3rd with a $1,500-to-win 25-lap special event. On Sunday, September 4th Modified drivers compete for a cool $3,000-to-win during a 35-lap main event along with USRA B-Mods, ULMA Late Models, and the Allstar Midget Series. Bonuses await any Modified driver winning at least 2 of the three big-money specials; a bigger bonus awaits any one driver sweeping all three of the track’s major events.

CMS is seeking a track maintenance person for the 2016 race season. Serious applicants must be experienced and possess proper credentials for operating heavy equipment used for weekly track preparation. Track equipment includes heavy-duty tractors, box blade, grader, sheep’s foot roller, standard water truck, and terragator water truck. CMS is also in search of a parts and tires service retailer. Prospective companies or independent dealers will be expected to be present during race nights. Prospective applicants should call Earl or Susan Walls at the CMS business line at (816) 229-1338. No calls after 8 p.m. please.

Keep up with CMS on Twitter @CMSgoing_green. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Central-Missouri-Speedway. Join our email group by emailing info@centralmissourispeedway.net. Keep up with CMS news and information by pointing your browser to www.centralmissourispeedway.net.

Contact Susan Walls at 816-229-1338 to join the CMS team of business partners, no calls after 8 p.m. There are several opportunities for your business to become involved in the exciting sport of dirt-track racing. No other sport has as many dedicated and loyal fans as weekly dirt racing. Car class sponsorship, event sponsorship, race night sponsorship, and special-event sponsorship are just a few of the ways to put your marketing and branding logo in front of the loyal race family!

CMS wishes to thank its 2015 primary sponsors for their support this season! Cliff Harris Warrensburg Ford, Budweiser, KMZU 100.7 FM, Sunoco Race Fuels, Pepsi, KMMO FM 102.9, Midwest Coatings, Better Country KIX 105.7 FM, Comfort Inn Warrensburg Station, 610 Sports Radio Kansas City, KRLI FM 103.9 & KAOL 101.3 FM The Grenade, Heartland Waste, and 'Today's New Hit Country' 95.3 FM KDKD.

This list of 2015 outstanding business partners includes: Victory Trophies & Plaques, Roundabout Café, Batliner Recycling, RockAuto.com, DQ Grill & Chill of Warrensburg, Blue Springs Chiropractic, Economy Lumber, Brooks Automotive LLC, Kleinschmidt's Western Store, OK Tire Stores, Eickleberry Concrete & Construction, Finish Line Performance, Wolf Tire Service, Rod End Supply, JA Performance and Outdoor Services, Seeburg Mufflers, RockAuto.com, and RacinDirt.com.

To join the CMS business partner team, call Susan Walls at (816) 229-1338. No calls after 8 p.m. please. Stay tuned to www.centralmissourispeedway.net for further announcements regarding pre-season events. Drivers are reminded that beginning in 2016, all golf carts and all-terrain vehicles must be registered prior to be used on the speedway grounds. The form is located under the Drivers tab on the website landing page.

CMS 2016 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)

April 9 - Practice Night at the Track, all car classes welcome to test & tune

April 16 - Opening night at CMS - Weekly Racing in All Divisions – Chamber Night at the Races

April 23 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions – UCM Night at the Races

April 30 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions plus Mod Lites – Whiteman Air Force Base Night at the Races

May 7 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions – Guest Class ULMA Late Models

May 14 - Weekly Racing in all Divisions plus Mod Lites

May 21 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions

May 28 - (Sat) Modifieds, SS, B-Mods, and $500 to Win Pure Stock Special Event!

May 29 - (Sun) $3,000-to-win USRA Modifieds, USRA B-Mods, ULMA Late Models, & Allstar Midget Series

June 4 - Comfort Inn Race Night Featuring Weekly Racing in All Divisions

June 11 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions (USRA B-Mods) plus Mod Lites

June 18 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions - Guest Class ULMA Late Models

June 25 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions

July 2 - (Sat) 11th Annual Tom Wilson Memorial Night 1 – USRA Modifieds, $1,500-to-win SS Special, PS, B-Mods, and Guest Class Allstar Midget Series

July 3 - (Sun) 11th Annual Tom Wilson Memorial Night 2 – $5,000-to-win/$1,000-to-start USRA Modifieds, USRA B-Mods, plus Guest Class ULMA Late Models and a full Fireworks Show!

July 9 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions

July 16 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions – Guest Class ULMA Late Models

July 23 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions (USRA B-Mods)

July 30 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions plus Mod Lites

August 6 - Kid’s Night at the Races Featuring Weekly Racing in All Divisions plus Mod Lites

August13 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions – Guest Class ULMA Late Models

August 20 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions plus Mod Lites

August 27 - Weekly Racing in All Divisions

Sept 3- (Sat) Modifieds, SS, $1,500 to win B-Mod Special, PS, and Guest Class Lightning Sprints

Sept 4 - (Sun) $3,000-to-win USRA Modifieds, USRA B-Mods, Guest Classes ULMA Late Models and Allstar Midget Series

This article posted by Central Missouri Speedway. Click here for more track information.