The smell of burning rubber and high octane racing fuel will highlight the Memorial Day weekend as drivers and fans starved for the exciting racing action that DeSoto is known for will replace the anxiety, and frustration of having the speedway closed. The racing action will get under way at 7 PM on the 29th. Open practice is scheduled for Thursday and Friday 5 PM until dark. Fans can attend the practice sessions on the main grandstand side for free. March 28th was the last time a stock car raced at Bradenton’s DeSoto Speedway. That was the day the ASA opened their late model touring series 1999 season. It was also the day Tim Sauter outlasted Mike Garvey and Eddie Hoffman for the victory as the DeSoto pavement was shredded by the high powered 2800 pound ASA machines. Since then it’s been a series of disappointments for the fans, drivers, and management of DeSoto Speedway. Owner DeWayne Musick said he has been “at the mercy of the engineers” while trying to find a solution for the pavement problem at the speedway. Musick has taken a lot of heat over the last two months as he has struggled to get the track repaved in order to allow racing to resume. As I spoke to the speedway’s owner today, the relief and excitement was evident in his voice. The track paving is scheduled to begin Monday morning May 24th. Engineers from Texas will be on hand to consult and help ensure the process works this time. DeSoto has had a serious problem with the pavement in turns 3 and 4 for the last several years, and previous fixes haven’t lasted. |
