Rivalry renewed between two car classes at 411 Motor Speedway
By Gabriel Garcia | (gabeg@thedailytimes.com)
It’s been a while since the Limited Late Model and NeSmith Crate Late Model classes ran against each other at 411 Motor Speedway, but that changes tonight.
“These classes ran together last year, and then we separated them,” said Joe Byrd, race director at the Seymour dirt track.
The big showdown of the night, $1,500 to win, will renew what is something of a rivalry.
“It should be an interesting race,” Byrd said. “The Limited Late Model guys do not want to lose to the Crate guys.”
The LLMs have the advantage over the Crates in the horsepower department, but are also limited — hence the name — by rules pertaining to weight and tires. The LLMs cannot weigh under 2,300 pounds and are limited to a specific kind of tire.
The Crates, on the other hand, are free to weigh as little as they want, although Byrd noted that the cars still rarely go below 2,200 pounds. The Crates are also open tire, which means they can run any tire they want during the race. The Crates are also allowed to have a 12-inch spore on their rear ends.
Whether the Crates’ more liberal regulations offset the horsepower advantage of the LLMs depends strongly on the track surface during the race.
“Track conditions will have a lot to do with what cars will have the advantage,” Byrd said. “A non-slick track will be an advantage to the LLMs, and a slick track will give an advantage to the Crates.
“A lot of it is up to us to try to get it in-between.”
In addition to the main event, other classes in action include the Topless Modified, Thunder & Lightning and Mini Stock, all at $350 to win.
The evening of racing will run from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. tonight. Gates open to the public at 4 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults to the grandstands, with children from ages 6 to 11 $5 and children 5 and under free. Tier parking is $15, and pit passes are $25.
