Event Preview: Drivers gearing up for Stand on It Classic
COLCORD, Oklahoma (Mar. 21, 2024) — In the past four or five years, Factory Stocks have stolen most of the headlines as they compete in big-money shows all over the Deep South. Yet there’s a movement in North Texas and parts of Oklahoma working to put USRA Stock Cars in the Spotlight.
This weekend, the division draws the eyes of the short track world as officials get set to host the inaugural ‘Stand On It Classic,’ this Friday and Saturday night at the beautiful Arrowhead Speedway. Teams will compete in two separate $5,000-to-win shows, and drivers from all over are gearing up.
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“I’ve never raced up there before, so I’m pretty excited,” North Texas regular Blake Clark said. “We’ve been going over the car all week here in the shop, doing a thorough nut-and-bolt check and just making sure we don’t have any unexpected issues when we get up there.
“I watched the footage from when the Comp Cams Super Late Models were there last weekend, and the place looks absolutely beautiful. My Dad and I were looking at the entry list, and we saw guys on there from as far away as Iowa. We know the level of competition will be high, but we’ll take our shot at it.”
Jeffrey Abbey is easily one of the most recognizable and successful Stock Car racers in North Texas. He’s experienced when it comes to adapting to different tracks, and looks for a strong run this weekend.
“I’m on my way there now, and am really looking forward to it,” he said on Thursday afternoon. “We’ll get in some practice tonight and see what we have. I’ve never raced there before, but I watched the races from there last weekend. It looks like a top-notch facility; one of the best I’ve seen in many years.
“The last time out, we converted our car over to run with the USRA guys at Rocket when USMTS was there, and managed to win the feature. So I’m confident as far as the car goes. Now I’ll have to get familiar with Arrowhead Speedway and figure out the fast way around. I’m hoping for a good outing.”
Neil Kemp is another recognizable heavy-hitter on the entry list, hoping to make strong showing.
“I raced once at Arrowhead last year in my Factory Stock,” Kemp said via cellphone as he pulled out of his driveway headed for Oklahoma on Thursday. “I won the feature, in fact, that was actually my first win of 2023. We’re taking both cars up there this week, the Stock Car and the Factory Stock again.
“I’m just hoping for a little luck. It takes me a little while to get going in any new season, but we’ll hit high gear here pretty soon. I know there will be a ton of good teams at this event, and I don’t quite consider myself a contender in the Stock Cars just yet. But we’re on the way to give it our best shot.”
Sixty-five drivers from nine different states had filed entries for the inaugural Stand On It Classic of as 11 a.m. on Tuesday. With contingency sponsors also being awarded, a weekend sweep could total more than $10,000 for one Summers Well Drilling USRA Stock Car driver.
Along with a pair of $5,000-to-win, $500-to-start races for the Stock Cars, AmeriFlex USRA B-Mods ($500-to-win both nights); Clear Creek Golf Cars USRA Tuners (Friday only, $300-to-win); and Area Pure Stocks (Saturday only, $300-to-win) will fill out the card for two nights of wall-to-wall action.
You can catch every lap of the inaugural Stand On It Classic at Arrowhead Speedway with a subscritpion at RaceON.com. With over 450 races on the Live stream schedule in 2024, it’s home to an incredible variety of short track content.
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By Phil Whipple, RaceON.com Staff Writer
