With it getting down to nearly a week away the first ever Johnny Burke Memorial 56 lapper at Ace Speedway, part of the Rodney Cook Memorial, it is gaining steam. Drivers throughout the Southeast have expressed interest in the event and the field looks strong with some heavy hitters with some of the best Mini Stocks around. And with special awards and lap sponsors the drivers have more to race for now besides the race day purse.

The pole award will be presented by the team contributor of Wall Racing drivers Willie and Brian Wall, and will combine their numbers on their race cars, #2 and #22, giving the pole winner a nice $222 payday before the racing even starts. That’s more than most tracks pay to win by far.

Other awards are still coming in as the date approaches including the Hard Charger Award presented by “The Brown Compound” that will give the driver that gains the most spots during the event an extra $100 cash. The Sanders racing family will also give an extra $50 to the 11th place qualifier and $50 more to the 11th place finisher in tribute to the family patriarch, the late Archie Sanders. Bib’s Downtown will make sure the winner of the inaugural event is full with a $100 gift card.

A bad finish doesn’t necessarily mean your day has to be totally bad, Corks Caps And Taps has stepped up for the “Have A Drink On Us Award” giving the driver with the worst luck of the day $150 to try and ease the pain. And for the driver that pulls from the furthest distance to the race we have $50 extra for gas money on the way home from Affordable Septic. Also special thanks to Unlimited Electrical Solutions for their support.

Also, many lap sponsors have been sold that go back in the purse, but many more still remain at $25 a lap. To be part of this great event by sponsoring a lap contact Corey Latham at [email protected] or 336-847-1050 before Wednesday, June 29th.

Rules for the event are the standard Bowman Gray, Ace or Mayhem series rules for Mini Stocks with an open tire rule letting any 7 or 8 inch grooved or treaded tire to be ran, or you can buy tires at the track. You can also bring your own fuel making the Johnny Burke Memorial race the least inexpensive special event Mini Stock race ever held.

Make plans to join us on July 2nd at 7pm for the 3rd annual Rodney Cook Memorial featuring 114 laps for the Late Model Stocks, 60 laps Limited Late Model, 50 laps Ace Modifieds, 50 laps Street Stock (MASS series rules), 56 lap Mini Stock and 49 laps for the UCARS for the Sandy Edgley Memorial race.