Lincolnites get in April 12 opener for nothing; first of open practices set for today
BY KEVIN DRULEY
THE COURIER

Lincoln Speedway drivers and Lincoln natives will have a common ground come opening night on April 12:

They’ll be able to see the Speedway’s fifth season opener for free.

Speedway co-owner and promoter Don Hammer extended that offer – a first in his time with the track – earlier this week. If you’re interested, Lincolnites, just bring your driver’s license to the full show that starts at 6 p.m.

“It won’t cost a dime,” Hammer assured. “There’ll be a lot of local people to root for and lots to be excited about.”

Ditto, he says, for the pair of open practices that will precede the season. From noon to 4 p.m. today and again April 6, drivers can test their cars and the track for the first time in 2008.

Fans – no matter where they’re from – can see it all for free.

A few new wrinkles will await them, including a wall that spans Turns 1 and 2 and the backstretch. Drivers are especially excited about that, as they can run high around the length of the track without the fear of spinning out.

“Now with the wall, that should allow you to go on top or bottom like you do on (Turns) 3 and 4,” defending Late Models points champion Matt Taylor of Springfield said. “And that should make for better racing.”

Travis Johnson of Ashland, last year’s Street Stocks champ, expects the same results, even if spectators “might see some busted-up cars” along the way.

Then again, testing new angles and working out kinks is what the practices are designed for, though neither Taylor nor Johnson plans to attend.

Their cars aren’t quite ready yet.

Johnson hopes to fire up his improved engine Sunday, testing its new rings, bearings and gaskets on his subdivision drive. If his car were new as well, he would want further practice. Since he bought it in 2006, though, he’s not worried.

“Cars tend to take a beating,” Johnson said, “but you just straighten them back up.”

Hammer said he expects a turnout of 50 to 75 drivers today. About 50 came to practice at Farmer City Raceway, with which he is also involved, this past Saturday.

The temperature was 33 degrees.

“If the weather’s halfway decent, I think people will be out to see the new track, new design and everything,” Hammer said.

“For the people in Lincoln, I think once they get out there, they’ll like what they see.”