Gillmore looks to continue hot streak on Casey's General Stores Night at Springfield

  • May 17, 2018
  • by Ronnie Williams

"The Quick Quarter" of the multi-grooved Springfield Raceway is gearing up Saturday night for another exciting night of Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series action featuring USRA Modifieds and Out-Pace USRA B-Mods, plus Pure Stocks, Legends and Midwest Modz on Casey's General Stores Night on the high-banked clay oval.

Point battles are tight currently as USRA Modified points leader Jody Tillman has Springfield's James Thompson glued to his back bumper while USRA national points leader Ryan Gilmore has been on fire in both the Modified and Out-Pace USRA B-Mod classes.

Gilmore, the defending Out-Pace USRA B-Mod national champ, has been pulling double duty but has really been having to earn his wins. Last Saturday night, Thompson took the opening spot until the halfway mark when Gilmore finally made his move while Tillman was on a mission and started reeling in "The Kid" when the laps ran out.

Gilmore has pulled double duty twice this season, winning both the USRA Modified and Out-Pace USRA B-Mod features the same night in different cars. Gilmore and his dad, Bucky, own the familiar No. 66 Out-Pace USRA B-Mod while Gilmore is driving the Danny Martin Trucking No. 3366 in the USRA Modified class.

Gilmore has found it tougher each week as former USRA Modified track champion Jackie Dalton has moved to the Out-Pace USRA B-Mods and Legends front-runner Justin Comer are giving the field a tough time by being in the hunt each week.

Points standing are changing and last-lap action and excitment have been keeping the fans on the edge of their seats in each class. Dalton leads the track standings with Comer a solid second and just waiting for the right time.

Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6 and racing at 6:30. Grandstands open at 5:45. Driver's draw cut-off time is slated for 5:50 with drivers meeting at 5:35.

The Springfield Raceway staff and racers mourn the passing of legendary driver Larry Smoot. Smoot drove the No. 7 weekly a few seasons ago and had moved into a car-owner role. A gentleman always smiling, he loved his racing and enjoyed being around the racing community.

After this Saturday, the Springfield Raceway will take Memorial Day Weekend off and return on Saturday, June 2, with $700 to win the Out-Pace USRA B-Mod feature.

Keep updated on Facebook for the action-packed racing on the "Quick Quarter."