The DIRTcar UMP Summer Nationals has made another schedule change, alleviating a lengthy overnight haul with a mid-series shuffling of tracks and races.
Charleston (IL) Speedway has been added to the Series for the first time since 2010, while Paducah (KY) International Raceway has been removed, according to Series Director Sam Driggers.
Charleston takes the June 27 date previously held by Plymouth (IN) Speedway, which was nearly 400 miles from the previous night’s race in Clarksville, TN. Plymouth’s date has been moved to June 29, with the series taking a day off between events at Charleston and Plymouth.
The 28-race tour launches June 14 at Brownstown (IN) Speedway and wraps up with July 14-15 races at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, OH.
In addition to the schedule changes, several new sponsors have come aboard to fund weekly payouts allowing the Summer Nationals tour to restore its points fund to $55,000 – with $25,000 for the champion.
Petroff Towing, FK Rod Ends, U Pic A Part, DirtonDirt.com and DIRTcar Racing are posting $5,000 apiece to be distributed to drivers with perfect attendance during the Northern Kickoff, Tri-State, Independence, Midwest and Champions weeks comprised of stretches of five to seven races.
The weekly payoffs were added for the 2016 Summer Nationals, but the $25,000 was reallocated from the tour’s regular points fund. Last year, Champion Bobby Pierce received $15,000 from a $30,000 points fund. This year’s $55,000 points fund will pay $25,000 to the champion. Second place through 10th will all battle it out for $30,000 in purse money.
Weekly payoffs will be distributed among the top points earners for the week. The top weekly point earner receives $2,000 – with $1,000 for second, $500 for third, $450 for fourth, $300 for fifth, $200 for sixth, $175 for seventh, $150 for eighth, $125 for ninth and $100 for 10th.
The grueling, monthly tour with night-after-night racing opens June 14 at Brownstown (IN) Speedway and wraps up July 15 at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, OH.
For more information regarding the Summer Nationals Tour, visit www.DIRTcar.com
