January 15, 2009
Tim Miller
The Hamilton Spectator -
http://www.thespec.com/Sports/article/496551(Jan 15, 2009)
Once known as Canada's best oval race track, Cayuga Motor Speedway has had some ups and downs the past couple of years. But the 2009 shows should put a smile on any fan's face.
Stock cars. Quarter Midgets. Sprint Cars. Super Modifieds. J-Cars. DIRT-style 358 Modifieds.
How about full-size Midgets?
Or a race with Rusty Wallace as guest announcer, calling the shots for NASCAR Cup racers Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Kenny Wallace, Jimmy Spencer and four others yet to be announced?
"We've put together a good schedule," said Cayuga race director Kevin Davis. "We want to get Cayuga back to its true potential."
There are six major events planned for the big 5/8ths-mile oval this year, starting with a round of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, a 200-lapper for May 30-31. The track will also debut the J-Car division, a series for young racers 8 to 17, one of two visits by the Ontario Sportsman Series (OSS), and a race in the new Crown Late Model Series.
The three-day July 27-30 show will feature Round 10 in the 22-race ARCA Stock Car series, the OSCAAR Super Late Models, an appearance of the SST (Super Short Track) Modifieds, and relatively new series from New York State.
July 11 and 12 will be an open-wheeled fan's dream, with races featuring the Can-Am Midgets, a return of the AVSS (Auto Value Super Sprints) Sprint Cars, the Canadian Vintage Modifieds, the Ontario Legends, and a 50-lapper for the ISMA (International Super Modified Association) Supers.
There will also be honours for one of Cayuga's most successful drivers, Chuck Boos, who won several track titles in the 1960s and 1970s.
Another touring series making its Cayuga debut will be the winged Midgets of the North East Midget Association (NEMA).
The OSS will return for the July 25-26 weekend, along with a race with the DIRT-style 358 Modifieds.
A large contingent of Late Models is expected to enter in the Crown Jewel 250 Aug. 2-3. This race, limited to 33 cars, pays $25,000 to the victor, and even last position gets a $1,500 payout. Track management will work with the various Late Model groups to ensure cars are similar in weight and power. There will also be a 100-lap race with the SST Modifieds.
The NASCAR Cup stars will be on hand Aug. 22-23 for the Race of Champions, along with races from the Delaware Speedway Late Model and Street Stock divisions. The J-Cars will once again run on the short inner oval in front of the main grandstand.
"We've been dealing with extreme economic conditions," Davis said. "But overall we're as ready to go as possible."
He added that Cayuga will be more involved with the community in 2009, providing an outlet for charitable endeavours.
"We want to have a community facility," he said. "We have six charities that will be a recipient of each of the six race weekends. There will also be two walkathons at the track."
Tim Miller is a longtime motorsports writer and author of several books on the sport.
