NEWTON, NC :: The Southern Modified Race Tour’s (SMRT) KOMA Unwind Modified Madness Series will head to Hickory Motor Speedway, one of the most historic speedways in the South, next Saturday, July 5th for the “American Freedom 125” sponsored by KOMA Unwind Relaxation drink.
Fans left Hickory in March in need of a can of the series sponsor product. They had just seen 20 lead changes between six drivers in a 125 lap race on some of the toughest asphalt on an oval track anywhere. Tim Brown had just held off a Myers brothers challenge to win the inaugural event for the new series and a relaxation beverage was probably just what the doctor ordered.
The SMRT, KOMA Unwind Modified Madness Series features all green-flag laps. No wasting time with counting caution laps here. The series also has “live” pit stops and all cars must make a pit stop at some time during the event. A tire change is also an option but the car must at the very least come to a complete stop and be jacked up. This can be done at any time except the first and last lap. Tire management and strategy become a part of Modified racing again. The crews, who are so often overlooked, now play a part on “center stage” and have not disappointed the fans while doing their share at making exciting events for the fans at the first three events.
The entry list for the “American Freedom 125” continues to grow and has some of the best Modified talent in the area set to compete at Hickory. Point leader and the winner of the last SMRT event at Ace Speedway, Burt Myers, is on the list along with his younger brother Jason who is looking for his first win on the tour. Nine-Time Bowman Gray Stadium Champion and the winner of the first Hickory race, Tim Brown, is set to compete in the Hayes Jewelers special. KOMA Unwind Modified Madness Series winner at Coastal Plains Raceway in May, David Calabrese is also on the entry list along with Jeremy Mayfield, Mike Speeney, Cale Gale, Bobby Sheffield, Zach Brewer and others.
Jimmy Wallace heads the “Modified Light” portion of the entry list along with Josh Nichols and others. The “Modified Lights” are cars with less horsepower competing in a race-within-a-race. Wallace has notched two “light” trophies to date but Nichols is ready to try to end Wallace’s reign at the top.
Tough asphalt, hot cars, fat tires, short tempers, hard racing, pit stops and Independence Day weekend set the stage for Saturday, July 5th at Hickory Motor Speedway. Admission is only $15.00 for Adults, $12.00 for Seniors and Students (13-19) and kids 12 and under are FREE. Gates open at 5:00 PM with qualifying set for 5:30 PM. Autograph session for all divisions begins at 6:15 and racing starts at 7:00 PM.
The first annual Mini-Stock Madness featuring drivers from Bowman Gray Stadium, Ace Speedway and other area tracks is also on tap along with the East Coast Flathead Fords vintage cars.
Don’t miss this great event saluting the Independence Day celebration of the USA.
