POSTED 5-14-10 NEWS UPDATE FROM THE KEN-TEN PRO LATE MODEL SERIES

  The upcoming Ken-Ten Series race at KMS on 5-22 has been cancelled !! Scott and myself are working on a makeup date, hopefully we can reschedule it on one of our open dates !!

   The Ken-Ten Series and KMS are truly sorry for any inconvenience this has cause our racers and fans !!!

   Our opening night will be at Corbin Speedway on June 5th.We're trying to reschedule the 1st Beech Bend race, Dallas has a lot going on with the flood damage and wants us there for the makeup date!!

   Tony Formosa has a few Pro Late Model shows set up for Nashville Fairgrounds besides our 2 shows, check out their schedule !!!         

 

Thanks  Craig

POSTED 5-14-10 Mopar HEMI Challenge Series Kicks Off at the 8th Holley NHRA National Hot Rod

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

 

 

 

Mopar HEMI Challenge Series Kicks Off at the 8^th Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green !

 

Photo by National DRAGSTER

 

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.– The popular Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series is adding more fuel to the roaring 8^th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion on Father’s Day weekend. The exciting Mopar HEMI Challenge Race Series showcases the world’s fastest Super Stock race cars igniting more thrills for fans of the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion (June 18-20) at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky.

“We are excited to bring this new spectacular attraction to the Reunion for the first time ever. Fans are truly going to get a great show,” said Tony Thacker, Reunion director. This event will be the first of three Mopar HEMI Challenge races in 2010.

Super Stock/A-HEMI (SS/AH) drivers scheduled to make the trek to Bowling Green include U.S. Nationals winner Charlie Westcott Sr. and 2008 HEMI Challenge series champion Charlie Wescott Jr. Also vying for the HEMI Challenge championship at Beech Bend are Gary Wolkwitz, Bob Buntin, Jeff Kobylski, Chuck Cornella, Don Bales with his award-winning Plymouth Barracuda, the HEMI that took the 2009 U.S. Nationals Best Appearing Car trophy and many others.

“These dedicated racers who compete in the Mopar HEMI Challenge buy Mopar parts from Chrysler, Jeep_®, Dodge or Ram dealerships and pour money, time and sweat into their Mopar HEMI-powered race cars. They are great examples of the passion for the Mopar brand that exists in the drag-racing community,” said Pietro Gorlier, President & CEO, Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC.

The Mopar HEMI Challenge Series will conclude at the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals, Sept. 24-26, at National Trail Raceway near Columbus , Ohio . The winner at the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion and JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals will earn $5,000 apiece. All three Mopar HEMI Challenge races will be stand-alone events.

The annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 18-20, will be held at the historic Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green , KY. Three-day credentials ($55 each) are available by calling 800/884-NHRA or online at http://store.nhra.com. To purchase tickets outside the U.S. , please call (626) 250-2497. One-day adult tickets will be available at the gate. Children 16 and under are admitted free at the gate when accompanied by paid adult. For more Reunion information, visit http://museum.nhra.com.

 

# # #

Hi-res photos available at request.

Reunion Media Credentials Request available at http://www.museum.nhra.com/media.asp

 

 

Reunion Media Contact:

Monique Valadez, Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum

(909) 622-3389 office, (909) 287-6029 mobile (FOR MEDIA USE ONLY)

mvaladez@nhra.com

 

 

Mopar Media Contact: Roger Meiners, (248) 553-4566
E-mail : rmeiners@jrthompson.com

POSTED 5-12-10 RESULTS OF MY POLL

The poll question was, What driver (Stock Car) would you like to see return to Beech Bend Raceway?  Here are the top 5 of 12 drivers.  Top driver was Jimmy Reynolds -33 pts.  Other -27 pts.  Ruben Lancaster - 16 pts.  Bobby White - 7 pts.  Tied for 5th was Terry "Tubby"" Gravil and Mike "spoon" Witherspoon.  Thanks to everyone that voted on this fun poll.  Look for more polls.

POSTED 5-12-10 BEECH BEND RACEWAY MOVES RE-OPENING DATE

The cleanup is moving along but at a slow pace. The mess left behind from the flood is unreal. We have decided after this weekend to move our projected date of reopening to Saturday May 22nd, if all goes well this is a very realistic date. We would like to thank all the racers that have helped with the cleanup.

POSTED 5-11-10 BOBBY WHITE IN THE HOSPITAL

 Bobby White, track official and former stock car driver/ owner is in the Medical Center.  He is scheduled to have open heart surgery tomorrow morning (5-12-10) at 5:30 a.m.   Check back here for more updates.  From all the racers and fans we wish you a speedy recovery.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Bobby and the entire family.
UPDATE:  Bobby is out of surgery and in recovery.  He had triple bypass surgery.  Bobby will be in CCU until Friday.  Again our thoughts and prayers with the White family.  Get well soon Bobby!

POSTED 5-7-10 BEECH BEND RACEWAY FLOOD UPDATE

This was taken on Monday 5-3-10, first day of the river flooding the drag track at Beech Bend.  I shot this from the bottom end of the drag track.  I could not get a shot from the start line, the water was over my head and I'm six foot tall.  For you that have drag raced here, know what I'm trying to show you.  The stands to your left in the pits is just about covered.

I took this today, from the top of the track.  Where I'm standing to shoot this shot on Monday, would have been over my head.  Look at the track today!  It's taking shape very quickly.  Lots of employee's working hard to clean up this mess.  First, it's clean up, then access the damage then start the repairs.  Anyway, it's looking more like racing ever day.  I'm looking forward to getting back to the races.

POSTED 5-7-10 NEWS UPDATE FOR BUICK GS NATIONALS

** Buick GS Nationals rescheduled for October 20th-23rd **

POSTED 5-7-10 FOR IMMEDEDIATE RELEASE

8th Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion an Economic Booster for Bowling Green

The 3-Day Reunion Brings $4 Million to Bowling Green Securing a Quick Rebound from Recent Floods

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact:  Monique Valadez , mvaladez@nhra.com, 909-287-6029 cell

Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 18-20, Beech Bend Raceway, Bowling Green , KY.

 

Editor’s notes: Hi-res images available upon request; Credential request form at http://museum.nhra.com/media.asp

 

BOWLING GREEN. Ky. – Despite severe rain and flooding in Bowling Green , the 8^th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion will still take place at Beech Bend Raceway Park on Father’s Day weekend event organizers announced today.

 

“ Beech Bend Park and Bowling Green will once again benefit from the return of the annual Reunion on Father’s Day weekend and help the community make a speedy recovery with the millions of dollars generated by the Reunion ,” said Tony Thacker , event organizer.

 

Heavy rains have soaked Bowling Green and the surrounding areas for days. The rapidly rising waters led to the Beech Bend Raceway drag strip and other areas being completely submerged. Beech Bend Raceway Park Officials announced Monday that flood waters are receding and the drag strip will be ready for the June Reunion weekend.

 

“Despite severe weather, the Bowling Green community will pull together to see that our venues are ready for the numerous summer events including the popular Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion” said Vicki Fitch, executive director of the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

 

The Reunion is a windfall that will pump an estimated $4 million into the Bowling Green economy during the 3-day Reunion at Beech Bend Park .

 

In addition, event ticket sales are strong and continue to rise every week. Huge numbers of Reunion fans are expected to come to the event this year filling up hotels and restaurants, renting cars, buying gas, and dropping cash on souvenirs and entertainment. Annually, the Reunion brings in a crowd of over 50,000 from across the county as well as international guests. This year marks the seventh year the National Hot Rod Reunion has taken place in Bowling Green , KY.

 

Since arriving at Bowling Green in 2003, the Reunion has poured more than $10 million into the community, based on analysis done with the help of the Kentucky Department of Tourism and the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Reunion is a commitment by the non-profit Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum (the Reunion producers) to continue to become part of the community and help bring tourism dollars to the area. 

 

Many locals are hired to help operate the event, an added benefit to the economy by creating job opportunities and more tax revenue.

 

The 8^th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 18-20 at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green , Ky. , is a three-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. Produced by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California and located in Pomona, Calif., the Reunion is part of the museum’s “living history” philosophy, which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture. 

Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods and customs of the historic and present-day hot rod eras.

Three-day spectator credentials are available for $55. Three-day spectator credentials include a pit pass, souvenir reunion program, dash plaque, and a commemorative laminated credential. Full event credentials will be available online at http://store.nhra.com through May 29, 2010. Single-day tickets will be sold at the gate each day of event.

Prices are inclusive of all fees, so no additional charges will be added to the published ticket price at online checkout. Children 16 and under are admitted free with paid adult admission. Tickets are also available by phone at 800/884-NHRA.

The Reunion features a wide variety of activities and events, including:

• Hot Heads vintage drag racing, featuring some the sport’s most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes at Nostalgia Top Fuel, Altereds, Supercharged Gassers, Classic Super Stock, Hot Rods and others.
• SoffSeal Show ’n Shine with thousands of gleaming pre-1980 hot rods, custom cars, classics and muscle cars.  “ Memory Lane ” will have a display of nostalgic race cars.
• The Heacock Classic Reunion Thursday night Cruise at the Grounds at Hartland Park , next to the Holiday Inn, will bring back the good ol’ days of hot rodding back to Bowling Green . Cruise ends at the National Corvette Museum . While on the cruise, hot rodder’s can get a great photo of their ride at the newly renovated Standard Oil Company gas station.
• National Hot Rod Reunion Honoree Reception, held at the Holiday Inn University Plaza ’s Bowling Green Convention Center ballroom on Friday evening, June 18.  Open to everyone at no charge, it’s a tribute to the Reunion ’s Grand Marshal and Honorees and a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing’s heroes.
• Meet the Reunion ’s Grand Marshal, Honorees and other drag strip legends at the Dynamic Legends VIP Tent, sponsored by Dynamat, all weekend long at the track.
• Cacklefest on Saturday evening, where nitro-burning historic, front-engine top-fuel dragsters and other classic race cars are push started just like in the “old days.”
• The Reunion Midway is filled with manufacturer and commercial exhibits.
• A huge Swap Meet of used parts and other treasures.
• A separate amusement park with rides and games for all ages adjacent to the park.

Information, including a full activities schedule, entry forms and tickets, is available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://museum.nhra.com.

POSTED 5-6-10 THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND BATH HOUSE FROM THE CAMPGROUND, TAKEN TODAY

This is the campground and the space you see is where the laundry and bath house was before the flood.

This is section 7 in the campground.  And in this section is the laundry room and bath house.  If you have been to the Harley drags and know where the stage and restooms in the campground are, this is very close to it.

This is the other side.  Showing the inside of the bath house/laundry room.

NOTE: These photos were taken today 5-6-10.  To see more go to www.photosbyodell.photoreflect.com

POSTED 5-4-10 MORE PHOTOS OF BEECH BEND RACEWAY FROM TODAY

Go to www.photosbyodell.photoreflect.com

POSTED 5-4-10 STANDING STRONG!

The great American flag shown here.

Yesterday I made a couple trips to Beech Bend.  My last trip, my daughter, Tammy was with me.  We were standing as near as we could stand to turn one and two.  Tammy said to me so sadly, Dad wonder where the American flag is?  I told her I didn't know because the flag pole was not showing, it was gone!  Today as I got back to Beech Bend, the first thing I saw was this wet, rough looking American flag.  The pole was bent from the waters current.  But the American flag, she was still holding on.  In today's world with all the fighting back and forth with our political leaders, it's refreshing to see that in storms like this, that old glory is still hanging on.  Through it all, as America stands, reminds me that strong people will stand strong too!  We will be back racing at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  The Jones Family are strong folks just like old glory.  Go America! Go Beech Bend Raceway Park!

POSTED 5-4-10 CLEAN UP EFFORTS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN AT BEECH BEND RACEWAY

Clean up is already in progress at Beech Bend Raceway.  Shown in this photo is Beech Bend employee, Ray Miller.  Ray was washing down underneath the grandstands of the oval track.  Dallas Jones and the Jones Family are wasting no time in getting Beech Bend back together.

Ray Miller working hard to make Beech Bend Raceway look alive again.  We thank you Ray!

The equipment was already out at Beech Bend today!

More equipment helping the workers out.

POSTED 5-4-10 FLOOD WATERS GOING DOWN AT THE BEND!

This was the restrooms, concessions on the grandstand side at 6:30 p.m. yesterday

This is the same area today, 5-4-10 Tuesday.

POSTED 5-4-10 UPDATE ON THE FLOODED AREA OF BEECH BEND RACEWAY PARK

This is the restrooms in the pit side yesterday at 6:30 p.m.

This is the same restrooms in the pits at around noon today (5-4-10 Tuesday)

POSTED 5-4-10 MORE PHOTOS OF THE FLOOD WATERS AT BEECH BEND RACEWAY PARK

If you would like to see more photos of Beech Bend Raceway Park during the Flood of 2010 go to this link www.photosbyodell.photoreflect.com  I have some photos taken at noon and then again at 6:30 p.m. as the water had risen.  I would have put them on here but way too many photos for the blog site.  Hopeful we will see hot rods racing again in the near future.

POSTED 5-3-10 FLOOD OF 2010 AT BEECH BEND RACEWAY

The flood of 2010 at Beech Bend Raceway Park!  The top photo tells it all.  The second photo was shot from behind the oval track tower toward the drag track.  The third photo is what is left of the seats in turn one of the oval, and look at what was turn one and two.  Also notice no booth as you enter the pits, washed away.  The fourth photo is of turn one, notice the light pole washed over.  The fifth photo is of the walk over from pits to the grandstand between the oval track and drag track.  The sixth photo is of the score boards of the drag track with the drag tech shed in the background.  The seventh photo is a view from down the drag track back to the towers, notice the seats in the pits is just about covered.  The restrooms and food stand behind the seats in the pits were washed away.  The eighth photo is of the campground, this photo should show a laundry room but it was washed away. The ninth photo is the new restrooms in the pits behind the oval track.  The tenth and last photo is of the oval track tech shed.  This photos that I took for you the fans and racers to see was taken with a sad heart.  Beech Bend is like a second home to me.  I talked to Dallas and Alfreda Jones plus Clay Jones, and it is a sad day for the Jones family.  I know it won't help to fix this problem, but please leave a comment for the Jones Family.  It is our race track in a way.  These were taken at noon today with the river raising 8 inches per hour and the river isn't to crest until 6pm.
       NOTE: CLICK ON EACH PHOTO TO ENLARGE 

POSTED 5-2-10 KEN-TEN PRO LATE MODEL SERIES READY TO KICK OFF 2010 SEASON

Schedule is complete. Rule changes are complete and New points system is complete.


                 Ken-Ten Series  Race # 1 
 
                          Beech Bend   5-7-10  Twin 50’s 

              
Race day schedule Gates open at 3:00  central time
Open practice 3:30 to 5:30 
Ken-Ten drivers meeting at scales 5:45
We’ll have 2 more short practice sessions in between Beech Bends cars
Go to scales before qualifying and before feature,all weights are before qualifying and start of feature !!
This is a 4 tire race for the night,tires will be marked !!!
Dallas has tires on hand BUT no tire changer !!!
1^st 50 Laps the top six fastest redraw for their starting spots 2^nd 50 laps will be total invert of lead lap cars ONLY !!!
$25.00 fee to Beech Bend for registration Dallas will waive the transponder rental fee if you leave your drivers license with them !!Please make note and take caution of how the cars exit practice from the infield across the track thru the pit gate. Many cars have been wrecked leaving the track
          Thanks Craig

POSTED 5-2-10 KMS RACES CANCELLED TODAY

Races have been canceled for May 2nd due to the extreme rain.

POSTED 5-2-10 HIGHLAND RIM SPEEDWAY MAKEUP RACE CANCELLED

Races have been canceled for today Sunday May 2!
We will have a make up race for this date!

POSTED 5-1-10 BIGFOOT TRUCK TO BE AT STOCK CAR RACES!

Friday night May 7th will be the next stock car race at BBRP it will also be the first KEN-TEN Late model race of the 2010 year. The late models will be running twin 50's plus we will be running our regular program we will also have a special appearance from BIG FOOT the monster truck. Be sure to make plans to join us for all the action.

                                    

Gates open @ 5:00

Practice starts @ 6:00

Qualify @ 7:00

Races start @ 8:00