By: Eric Huenefeld
The countdown is on.
In just under three months, the Big 8 Late Model Series presented by Gandrud Chevrolet returns to action, kicking off its eleventh season. This year, the “Best Weekly Warriors in the Country” embark on another exciting trek, visiting tracks in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa while once again taking part in many of the most prestigious events on the Midwest racing calendar.
The action begins on Sunday afternoon April 12 as part of the 38th Annual Spring Classic at Rockford Speedway, when the Big 8 Series headlines the region’s traditional season opening event with an 88 lap feature race. Joining the Big 8 Late Models on the card will be the Mid American Stock Car Series and the American Ethanol Super Truck Series.
Exciting new dates on the 2015 schedule include the Series’ first ever trip to the state of Iowa on Friday night June 5, as the Big 8’s best take to the half-mile at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids. The upcoming season marks the second consecutive year in which the Big 8 style Late Model will be the featured as the premier division at the legendary Iowa facility during their regular Friday racing program.
Also returning to the Big 8 Series schedule is Wisconsin International Raceway, where for the first time since 2009, the Big 8 Late Model Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour share the stage as part the return of the ‘Dixieland 250’ to the Midwest racing landscape Tuesday night August 4. The 38 lap ‘Dixieland Delight’ for Big 8 Late Models is set to be the under card for the 250 lap Super Late Model event later that evening.
Traditional dates returning to the 2015 schedule include a return to ‘Wisconsin’s Fastest Half Mile,’ Madison International Speedway on Friday night June 26, as part of the traditional ‘Salute to America’ program, which features a full-night of racing action and a large aerial fireworks display.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Big 8 Late Model Series headlines Friday night of the Larry Detjens Memorial Weekend at State Park Speedway in Wausau Wisconsin on July 24. The event at State Park, which again is set for 58 laps, has become one on of the most popular stops on the Big 8 schedule. Another popular Big 8 Series date, the ‘King of the High Banks’ at Slinger Super Speedway, is tentatively scheduled for Sunday evening July 12.
“Three Races in Three Weeks” will determine the 2015 Big 8 Late Model Series champion. The three-race swing begins in Minnesota on Saturday September 26 at Elko Speedway as part of the ‘Thunderstruck 93.’ One week later, the Big 8 Series returns to Rockford Speedway as part of the 50th Anniversary National Short Track Championships on Saturday night October 3, running a grueling 108 lap main event as part of ‘Short Track Saturday Night.’ The curtain then closes on the 2015 Big 8 Late Model Series season Saturday night October 10, with a 68 lap championship feature during the 46th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway.
Also in 2015, the Big 8 Late Model Series will again utilize the Hoosier S800 tire for all of its events.
For additional information regarding the Big 8 Late Model Series visit www.big8series.com or contact the Series Office at 815-633-0035.
2015 Big 8 Late Model Series Schedule
Sunday April 12- Rockford Speedway (Loves Park, IL)
38th Annual Spring Classic (88 laps)
Friday June 5- Hawkeye Downs (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Inaugural Event (48 laps)
Friday June 26- Madison International Speedway (Oregon, WI)
Salute to America (48 laps)
Sunday July 12- Slinger (WI) Super Speedway (*- Tentative)
King of the High Banks (68 laps)
Friday July 24- State Park Speedway (Wausau, WI)
Larry Detjens Memorial Weekend (58 laps)
Tuesday August 4- Wisconsin International Raceway (Kaukauna, WI)
‘Dixieland Delight’ (38 laps)
Saturday Sept 26- Elko (MN) Speedway
7th Annual Thunderstruck ‘93’ (58 laps)
Saturday October 3- Rockford Speedway (Loves Park, IL)
50th Anniversary National Short Track Championships (108 laps)
Saturday October 10- La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway (West Salem, WI)
46th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend (68 laps)