The Scott Thompson Memorial honors the memory of one of the more popular racers in the late model ranks in Florida, who tragically lost his life in a non racing related automobile accident in May of 2006. At the time of his unfortunate passing, Scott Thompson was battling toward the 2006 National Late Model Series Rookie of the Year title, and had already established himself as the Volusia Speedway Park Late Model Champion in 2005. The Thompson family remains dedicated to racing and to the legacy created by Scott’s achievements, plus the many deep friendships and the respect that he developed with his rival racers, directing their energy and love of the sport into this special race each season.
The 50 lap race will again pay a $3800 check to the winner of the main event in memory of Scott Thompson’s #38 late model, and as was the case last year, the Thompson family has commissioned Scott Sweet of Sweet Grafix to design and build a special guitar trophy that is unique to this race, and that will be a cherished addition to any racer’s trophy collection. The second and third place finishers will receive special award cups from the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series.
The Scott Thompson Memorial is special to the racers because of who and what it memorializes, but it also marks a change for the racers who have been competing with the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series in 2010. Series director Ken Kinney points out that after this race the northern and southern regions of the UDLMCS will combine into a “chase” format, which will open up the points battle and begin a whole new race to the season championship. Ivedent Lloyd has a virtual lock on the northern region title, while Keith Nosbisch holds a mere 20 point advantage over Mark Whitener in the south. Once the two regions combine it will be anyone’s title to chase, with racers like two time defending UDLMCS Champion Johnny Collins possibly getting back into the hunt and looking for an elusive “three-peat.” UDLMCS races have produced 5 different winners in 7 events so far in 2010, with Phillip Cobb becoming a first time winner in the prestigious Powell Memorial at Ocala Speedway earlier this month.
The excitement will not diminish as three of Volusia Speedway Park’s most competitive divisions accent the evening along with the Scott Thompson Memorial. Shaun Daugharty will be hoping to build on his one point advantage over Aaron Barsness in the Taylor Racing Products Sportsman points race, while Phillip Brown will be defending the same scant advantage over Tim Hughes with the Daytona Sportswear Street Stocks. And no one will want to miss the next chapter in the newest on track rivalry between Scott Mooers and Chad Scranton, as the Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants Thunder Stocks return for another round.
Volusia Speedway Park will offer an open practice session for all divisions on Friday, June 25th, from 6PM until 9PM, in preparation for Saturday night’s events. The pit gate will open at 2PM on Saturday with driver’s meetings at 5:45 and practice at 6:15. The grandstand gates will open on Saturday at 5PM for early birds to grab the best seats, and to witness qualifying which is set to begin at 6:45. Heat racing will begin at 7:30PM with B mains and features to follow, and for more information fans can access www.VolusiaSpeedwayPark.net.