NEWS
2008 - 81 SPEEDWAY LIFETIME VIP HALL-OF-FAME INDUCTEES NAMES ANNOUNCED:  1-5-09
The committe members that annually select who goes into the 81 Speedway Lifetime VIP Hall-Of-Fame since the year 2000, have released the 2008 inductee names through speedway attorney Bryson Mills.
This years inductees are Jack Walker of New Castle, Ok,  Don Collins of Concordia, Ks, Leon Dewitt of Wichita, Ks, Jim Foster of Abilene, Ks, and Mike Peters of Wichita, Ks,  will be recognized during the 2008 awards banquet at the Cotillion Ballroom in Wichita on Saturday, January 24, 2009.  They join an illustrious group of individuals that have been inducted into the fraternity since its inception in 2000.
As a Lifetime VIP Hall-Of-Fame Member, each inductee recieves a framed certificate, recognition plaque during an event at the speedway in 2009, and a lifetime pass good for the inductee and a guest to all events held at 81 Speedway promoted by Speedway's Inc.
25th Annual Towne West Square - 81 Speedway Race Car Show Slated For February 21 & 22, 2009
Since 1984, 81 Speedway has kicked off each season with the annual race car show at Wichita's popular west side shopping mall, Towne West Square.
This years edition will mark the 25th anniversary of the event which provides race fans, mall-goers, sponsors and teams there first look at the new years cars, colors, sponsors and drivers.  Officials are looking for more than 50 race cars at this years event.
From vintage race cars to the current list of stock cars, sprints, modifieds, late models, etc, Towne West Square is covered from one end to the other with the look of todays dirt track race cars.
Contact the speedway office if you are interested in having your race car on display during the 2-day (weekend) 25th Anniversary of this season opening tradition.
LARGEST CROWD EVER OF 733 ATTENDS ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
Congratulations to everyone who attended the 2008 annual awards banquet at the Cotillion Ballrooom in Wichita saturday night, January 24th.
The gathering of 733 tops last years 712 for the highest in attendance for the season ending awards.
A special "Thank You" goes out to Linda and Duane at Special T's for the slide show they put together that followed the awards on stage.
Another special "Thank You" goes out to Smiley's Race Products of Wichita for the numerous give-a-way items (one of which was a firesuit) during the program.
Congratulations to Jim Selenke, of Wichita, the recipient of the third annual Steve King Foundation Sportsmanship Award presented during the evening by Danny and Naomi King.  As the third to receive the award, Selenke joins first year award winners Duane and Linda Leiker, of Liberal, and last years winners, the Ochs Brothers.
In The Dirt Photography (Mary) was on hand taking pictures of the evening, and those pictures may be seen and purchased on her web site
www.inthedirtphotos.net.  Next up will be the 25th Annual Towne West Square Race Car Show, Feb. 21 and 22.
"CAR CLAIM" BACK IN FOR 2009 BUDWEISER CRUISER DIVISION
Starting with the first show of the season (March 28) the "Claim" will return to the Budweiser Cruiser division.  The top (5) finishing cars in the main event will be eligible for the claim, and will be positioned on the front straight-a-way for a period of time directly after the event.
In the case of multiple claims on any car, a drawing will be made to determine the winner.
JIMMIES DINER AND KINGS X RESTAURANT WILL BRING BACK THE "WILD & WACKY" BUDWEISER CRUISERS TO THE 2009 RIVERFESTIVAL
Missing from the Wichita Riverfestival for the past two years has been the popular Budweiser "Wild & Wacky" Cruiser night here at 81 Speedway.  This year, thanks to Jimmies Diner and Kings X Restaurant, the "Wild & Wackyness" returns on a special night (TUESDAY)
May 12, along with the 4-cylinder Hornets. 
Admission to the grandstand will be FREE with a 2009 Wichita Riverfestival button.  Gates will open at 5pm, show time is set for 7:30pm.
GENERAL MANAGER C.RAY HALL NOMINATED FOR INDUCTION INTO THE 2009 CLASS OF THE WICHITA SPORTS HALL OF FAME
A total of 11 sports figures have been nominated and are on the final ballot for the puclic's vote.  General Manager of 81 Speedway, C.Ray Hall is one of the 11 sports figures who needs your nomination for induction into the 2009 class of the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame. 
The public will vote for its choices for enshrinement.  There are three ways to vote for C.Ray.  (1). Go to: www.wichitahof.com
(2). Mail in your vote to: Wichita Sports Hall of Fame, 4700 E. Central, Wichita, Ks. 67208  (3) Fax your vote in at: 316-264-6104.
Voting will run from February 1, 2009 thru April 30, 2009.
The announcement of the inductees will be made in early May of 2009.
GET IN THERE AND VOTE AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT EACH DAY!!!
Currently there are only three individuals from auto racing in the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame.  They are Harold Leep, Jay Woodside
and Charlie Lutkie.  Lets get C.Ray into this prestigous group of Wichita Sports!
SATURDAY, MARCH 28 O'REILLY/NCRA MODIFIED PROGRAM CANCELED
With the forcast for temps in the 30's and possible rain/snow showers scheduled for Friday thru early Saturday, track officials have canceled the scheduled O'Reilly/NCRA Modified program along with the local Budweiser Cruisers and Hornets for this Saturday, March 28.
The cancelation will bring about a new look for the Dillons Food Stores, March of Dimes Season Opener on Saturday, April 11.
The O'Reilly/NCRA Modified Series will be placed on the program for April 11th, and removed from the program will be the local Credit King Modified division.  The traveling modified series will join the Sunoco Sprint Cars, Meritrust Credit Union AAAModified, Late Model, Alternative Pest Management Rookie Modified, Street Stock, Thumper, Budweiser Cruisers and Hornets for the all-day show which features qualifying heat races in the afternoon starting at 2pm followed by all feature events at 7.
DILLONS FOOD STORES....KEYN 103.7....MARCH OF DIMES SEASON OPENER OFFERS UP AN ALL DAY SUCKER
Due to the cancelation of March 28 O'Reilly/NCRA Modified series here at the speedway due to the Kansas weather, the annual season opener here at 81 Speeway on Saturday, April 11 will feature the O'Reilly/NCRA Modified series along with the regular Sprint Cars, Meritrust AAAModified, Alternative Pest Management Rookie Modified, Late Models, Street Stock, Thumper, Budweiser Cruisers and the two Hornet divisions.  Gates will open at 12 (Noon).  Qualifying heat races will begin at 2pm, feature events will begin at 7.  A tentative schedule of events lays out this way:  12(Noon): Silent Auction items on display and bidding begins.  50/50 ticket sales begin.  1pm: Hot Laps for race cars on race track.  1pm-7:30pm: Register for rides in the pace car.  Register to wave green flag to begin a race from the Sams Place Starters Tower.
1pm-3:30pm: Qualifying heat races: O'Reilly/NCRA Modifieds, Late Models, Sprint Cars, Meritrust AAAModified, Alternative Pest Management Rookie Modified, Street Stock, Thumper, Budweiser Cruisers, Youth Hornet, Hornets.  3:30pm-6pm: Tailgate party in parking lot.  3:30pm-5:30pm: Infield open to public.  6pm-7pm: Bleacher Creatures greet race fans.  6:55pm: National Anthem (Jill Bosley)
7pm-10pm: Consolation & Championship features.  7pm-10pm: Pace car ride winners announced to ride in pace car.  Sams Place starters tower winners announced to wave green flag on event.  8:30pm: March of Dimes "Kids Candy Toss" on front straight-a-way.  Helmet pass thru grandstand for MOD. 50/50 ticket sales end.  Silent auction ends.  9:30pm Final feature event of the evening. 
SPRINT CAR DRIVERS ON THE MEND AFTER 7 CAR MELE ON FRONT STRAIGHT  4-13....Word on the Sprint Car drivers injured here at the speedway during saturday nights championship event was encouraging monday morning.  Jason Schroeder, son of Dwight Schroeder, of Moundridge, said his dad suffered a concussion, stretched legements in his neck and three or four swollen vertibries in his back.  He is expected to be fine.  Logan Walker, of Andover, was treated for a few cuts and bruses at the emergency room and released late saturday night.  Jon Freeman, of Salina, was checked out at the emergency room in Salina after arriving back home and was released with a badly brused arm and shoulder.
GENERAL MANAGER C.RAY HALL RECOVERING AFTER SURGERY
After undergoing surgery Monday to remove his gallbladder and a double hernia in his stomach, general manager C.Ray Hall is recovering at home and here around the race track.  Doctors say he will need to take it easy for six weeks or so, but can attend all speedway events.
PETERS DOUBLES IN SUNOCO SPRINTS
Veteran driver Mike Peters continues to show the young lions of the Sunoco Sprint Car division here at 81 Speedway the way to victory lane winning his second straight feature event here saturday night in as many outtings for the division in 2009.  Peters, despite an influx of teams gathering in preperation of Sunday nights (May 3) O'Reilly/NCRA Sprint Car Series season opener here, had to run down early leader Jon Freeman to get the win.
For the second week in a row, the teams of the Credit King Modified division proved why they are the most competitive division in a weekly program anywhere!  Don Renfro held off numerous challenges from runner-up Brian Franz to get his first win of the season. 
Another first time winner this year on saturday night was Flipper Moss.  Moss took the early lead and was never seriously challenged for the win, despite runner-up Harley Peery closing the gap late in the race.
Jason Layman landed the feature event in the Alternative Pest Management Rookie Modified division holding off 15 year old Austin Allen who finished ahead of point leader Shane Campbell.
A slim field of (3) 305 Sprint Cars were on hand for the debute of the division saturday night.  Third generation driver Tanner Mullens picked off the lead in turn two and was never contested after that to get the first win in the division.      
5-6-09 WICHITA SPORTS HALL of FAME TO INDUCT 10 (www.kansas.com/sports/updates)
81 Speedway General Manager C. Ray Hall is one of 10 inductees along with the 1978 Southeast High baseball team that was named national champions after the season that will be inducted into the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame on June 20, 2009.
Joining the class with Hall include Greg Brummett, Jason Perez, Don Calhoun, Larry Dostert, Goose Doughty, Willie Jeffries, Roy Turner, Lillian VanBlarcom and Gene Wiley. 
For more information go to: www.kansas.com
BRILEY RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL AFTER SATURDAY NIGHT INCIDENT......Dustin Briley, of Goddard, driver of the 9D Credit King Modified was involved in an incident along the front straight-a-way during saturday nights feature event of the Credit King Modified division.  Briley's car became pinned along the front straight retaining wall sliding all the way to turn one before coming to a stop.  Briley was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he was kept for observation before being released.  Great care was taken by the emergency teams from both the speedway and Sedgwick County EMT's to remove Briley from his car due to the design of the new highly conformed seat and its wrap around protection provided to the driver.  Briley is at home and plans on racing again soon. 
6-8-09 SHIRLEY HALL SERVICES INFORMATION......Shirley Hall (Grandma) 85, owner of 81 Speedway in Park City, Ks, passed away Friday, June 5, 2009.
Visitation with the family present, 6pm to 8pm, Monday (June 8) at Broadway Mortuary.  Funeral services will be at 11am, Wednesday, at Riverlawn Christian Church, K-96 & Meridian.  Following the burial, family and friends are invited to a time of sharing memories and fellowship at 81 Speedway.  Shirley was preceded in death by husband Bill Hall, parents Clark and Elsie Miller, daughters Vickie and Venny; and grandson Todd.  Survivors include her son, C.Ray Hall; daughter Sandy and husband Dick Coleman, Nancy and Russell Keeler, Larry Kholman, Warren and Sherri Hardy, son-in-law John Houle, grandchildren Russell Houle, Mylisa and Brian Powers, Dena and Stan Martin, Scott and Staci Coleman, Billy Houle, Danele and Rick Warner, Troy and Amy Keeler, K.J. Menges.  Great-grandchildren Josh Lanterman, Dan Powers, Derek Houle, Malaysia Houle, Drew Warner, Allison Keeler, GArrett Lyon, Cody Houle, Sydnee Johnson, Kolby Keeler, Drayton Johnson,
Grandon Menges, Karson Keeler, Stevee Warner, Chevy Coleman, Kasey Coleman and Teegan Keeler, 1 sister and 5 brothers and many extended Speedway family
and friends. 
Memorials to Steve King Foundation, 24583 NW 208th Road, Jetmore, Ks. 67854 or Hospice Care of Kansas.
Services for WINONA DUELING, Of D&D Equipment, will be at 10am Monday, June 15 at the Christ The King Church located at 4601 West Maple in Wichita, Ks.