BLOOMFIELD, Iowa -- A new fan-friendly era of racing in southern Iowa begins this Friday night as a new promotional team begins its tenure as operator of the popular 3/8-mile clay oval at the Davis County Fairgrounds in Bloomfield, Iowa.

On October 19 of last year, the Davis County Fairboard awarded the promotions contract at the Bloomfield Speedway to RL Promotions, LLC, and the husband and wife team of Todd and Janet Staley from Webster City. A few weeks later, RL Promotions officials announced Mountain Dew as the new title sponsor of the track.

"With new lighting last season, new fencing work this year and several promotional projects coming to life, we are thrilled to finally be opening the doors for the 2006 season," said Todd Staley, who also oversees organizations that promote the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) and the United States Racing Association (USRA), in addition to four other tracks under the management of RL Promotions. "The response from fans, drivers and sponsors has been tremendous, and we can't wait to drop that first green flag this Friday."

After making a huge improvement in 2005 with new lighting for the 3/8-mile clay oval speedplant with the latest technology from MUSCO Lighting, officials have now working to improve the safety fencing around the speedway. With the addition of heavy wall pipe and fencing, the new fence has been added from turns 1 and 2, and extended down the backstretch to the pit gate opening in turn 3. Fencing has also been installed through turns 3 and 4 to complete the project. The new reinforced fence will help protect the spectators.

With the expected large car counts for the 2006 racing season, this will also allow for more pit area parking on the backstretch.

The first Fast Track Friday of the 2006 racing season kicks off this Friday, April 14, at the Mountain Dew Bloomfield Speedway with a full slate of action scheduled at the facility. Racing in five classes of cars is on tap with Modifieds, Stock Cars, B-Modifieds and Hobby Stocks competing in the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series. The entry level Hornet division will also join the weekly Fast Track Friday lineup.

For competitors, the 2006 racing season will be the most financially lucrative in the history of the facility. The track points champion in the Modified class will earn $1,000 at season's end, with $700 earmarked for the Stock Car champ, and $500 each for the B-Mod and Hobby Stock titleists.

In addition to track championship awards, drivers will also be competing for national points funds through the USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series. The national champion in the Modified class will earn $10,000. Stock Car drivers are chasing a $3,000 payday while a $2,000 top prize awaits the B-Mod and Hobby Stock national champions.

Fast Track Friday main event payouts for each class during the 2006 racing season are as follows:

Modifieds - $500 to win, $75 to start

Stock Cars - $300 to win, $50 to start

B-Modifieds - $300 to win, $35 to start

Hobby Stocks - $200 to win, $35 to start

Hornets - $100 to win, $20 to start

Gates will open at 5 p.m., with hot laps at 7:15 and racing at 7:30 for all Fast Track Friday events at the Mountain Dew Bloomfield Speedway. General admission adult tickets are $9, Juniors (13-18) & Seniors (62+) are $7, with kids 12 and under admitted FREE each night.

The Mountain Dew Bloomfield Speedway is located 1.0 mile west of Bloomfield on US 63/SR 2, then 0.8 mile north on CR J40 (at the Davis County Fairgrounds). For more information call the track hotline at (641) 664-2500.

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MOUNTAIN DEW BLOOMFIELD SPEEDWAY OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Cantril Feed & Grain, Community First Bank, DC Diesel, Elmer Wood Company, Golden Furrow Fertilizer, Harris Distributing, Jim Lynch Farms, Karr Collision Center, Missouri Grain, Morgan Oil Company, Mountain Dew, Pepsi-Cola Memphis Bottling Co., Pizza Hut, Slayton Polaris, Taylor Automotive.

MOUNTAIN DEW BLOOMFIELD SPEEDWAY TRACK SPONSORS: Bloomfield Equipment, Corporate Auto Sales, Crop Service, Davis County Savings Bank, Hiway 2 Auto Sale, Hougland's Repair, Iowa-Missouri Grain, Jim's Silver Dollar, Keith's Food, Kirkland Auto, Lee Construction, Mikels Chevrolet, NAPA Auto Parts, Pulaski Lumber, Spilman Auto Parts, Tennyson Enterprise.