Dean fares well in Columbus
By By Steve Swogetinsky/special to The Star
May 1, 2004
The Queen City Speedway dirt track may have been closed this past weekend for Talladega, but that doesn't mean that all of the area drivers stayed home.
Area driver James Dean finished second in a Late Model race in Columbus.
Meanwhile, rain put a damper on last Saturday night for driver Mike Boland.
Boland had taken his No. 222 Late Model car to Chatham, La., to compete in a 100-lap race. He qualified fifth when the rain started.
That's quite a trip. Chatham is located 25 miles south of Monroe, La., according to Boland.
His partner, Rodney Wing, was the 22nd qualifier for the Chatham race.
Any motorsports competitor who races in an event in other parts of the state or in other states is invited to report their results to Steve Swogetinsky at 776-6102 after 6 p.m., Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of the following week.
Busy weekend for races
Racing will return to the Queen City Speedway and the Causeyville Racetrack tonight with a regular racing schedule planned.
At Queen City, the drivers meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., and the qualifying starts at 7 p.m. A regular slate of races is also set for May 8, followed by the Summer Sizzler' 50-lap Late Model race on May 15.
Gates open at 4 p.m. at Causeyville for go-kart racing. Registration will be held between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., with the go-karts hitting the tracks shortly afterwards. The races Saturday and May 15 will be for points, while a money race will be held May 29.
MSCCS series resumes
After taking a weekend off, the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series will resume at the Columbus Speedway on Saturday night.
According to internet reports, this race will be named the Richard Underwood Memorial, in memory of a longtime supporter of the Columbus track and dirt track racing in Mississippi.
Some changes have been made on the Columbus track in recent months, according to reports, with the bottom and middle grooves having shown to now be competitive with the high side line. The speed of the track has been slowed down slightly as well, which will leave some drivers wondering how to set up their cars. Having run in Columbus this past week should help local driver James Dean.
The 50-lap race will pay $3,000 to the winner.
Event information for the Richard Underwood Memorial has grandstand gates opening at 5 p.m. with action at 7:30 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is only $15 with children ages 10 and under admitted free. Speedway information can be obtained by calling Johnny Stokes at 662-574-2572 during the day or at 662-327-3047 in the evenings. Additional Columbus Speedway information can be found on the Columbus Speedway Internet home hosted at www.midsouthracing.com or by calling the Columbus Speedway event hotline at 662-241-5004.
MSCCS Top 10
The top 10 standings are as follows: 1. Scott Slay 720, 2. Dennis Duncan 665, 3. Rodney Wing 650, 4. David Breazeale 615, 5. Chris Wall 610, 6. Mike Boland 550, 7. Phillip Cooper 535, 8. Keith Miller 535 9. Jason Cliburn 490, 10. James Dean 395.
This weekend is the only race for the MSCCS in May. The series will resume June 1 at the Queen City Speedway, followed by a June 2 date at the Jackson Motor Speedway.
