9/2/2021
RacinBoys
Big Weekend For USAC MWRA Celebrates Present and Past of Open Wheel Racing
By Ray Cunningham (Kansas City, KS) -- Once again Northwest Missouri will be the epicenter for the MWRA racing over the Labor Day Weekend in 2021! As the Midwest Wingless Sprint Cars travel to I-35 Speedway on September 4th, and Bethany Speedway on September 5th.
Last season the epic battle for the first ever Midwest Wingless Title came down to the results of races conducted at I-35 Speedway in Winston, and historic Bethany Speedway located at the Northwest Missouri State Fairgrounds.
When the dust settled on that occasion a tie for the championship occurred between combatants Wyatt Burks and Don Droud Jr. With the former taking the championship based on more victories during thd 2020 campaign.
In 2021 the championship comes down to the final 3 races of the season, with Kory Schudy leading the way in a close battle with Wesley Smith by a mere 80 points.
But that’s just one of the many stories leading into this Labor Day Weekend Doubleheader!
First off is the race events themselves. For the first time ever the Bill Lawson Memorial will take place at I-35 Speedway featuring your MWRA USAC Sprint Cars, and the Central States Midgets. A venue that has seen point leader Schudy driving the JSR #28 of Jon Sawyer win at both times the MWRA has raced there this year, after taking the first ever MWRA win there as well in 2020.
The race at I-35 this Saturday is in honor and remembrance of the late Bill Lawson, father of MWRA car owner Dan Lawson as well as the grandfather of Justin Lawson, racing media specialist. Bill Lawson, was one of the top drivers in Heartland racing in the 1950’s, before a horrible and fiery crash at Olympic Stadium derailed his career.
The Patriarch of the Lawson Racing Family, Big Bill loved racing sprint cars/super modifieds and midgets during his career. While starring at tracks that included the original Lakeside, Riverside, Olympic, Flying Saucer Speedway, and Sweet Springs, among other KC area venues. Before later passing on his passion for the sport to sons Dan and Bill, as well as grandson Justin.
That history continues on with the Doney /Lawson Race team which will compete in both the sprint car and midget divisions at the Lawson Memorial with driver Xavier “X-Man” Doney. The 15 year-old Doney, is a rookie of the year candidate with the MWRA, and is coming off his first ever sprint car win in the series last weekend at Salina Speedway in Kansas.
Meanwhile on Sunday night the series shifts to Bethany Speedway where the Midwest Series will race for the second time in 2021, and the 4th time overall since 2020. Earlier this year, 2nd place in points Smith driving the John Helm /WSR Racing #12 took the victory there, after also previously winning at this historic venue in 2020. Racing at this iconic facility has taken place for decades. While non winged sprint car clubs since the 1940’s that have included IMCA, Mississippi Valley, and BCRA, have made trips to race during fair time there during that period.
Join us this Saturday night September 4th at I-35 Speedway in Winston? for the Lawson Memorial, and Sunday night September 5th at Bethany Speedway located at the Northwest Missouri State Fairgrounds in Bethany. For a great weekend of open wheel racing!
USAC Racing
Wholesale Batteries, Inc.
I-35 Speedway Winston
Bethany Speedway
Central states Midget Series
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
