Dirt in December?

That’s the promotional theme of this event. How does that work? It does if it’s the Gateway Dirt Nationals at the dome in St. Louis. Yes, a few of the Schoenberger Racing family made the trip recently because as our newcomer observed – “The rest of us like to go to the races but the three of you seem to breathe it”.

Over 20,000 racing fans came from numerous states to watch over 200 Modified, Midget, and Late Model drivers compete on a 1/5^th mile track for a three-day event. It’s dirty, it’s loud, it’s crowded, it’s cheering, it’s uh – oh, it’s oh – no!, it’s yeah!, it’s thrilling. All inside and away from the winter elements.

The event is in its third year now and it keeps growing. Luckily though December in St. Louis has proven to be much milder than Wisconsin during our visits. The fans definitely have favorites and non-favorites but all opinions are respected. Home tracks and drivers are well represented on the multitude of different racing shirts and hoodies.

This is the first year the Midgets were invited and it proved to be a great addition to the Modified and Late Model classes. Is it for the money? Sure, everyone hopes they make it to the main event, but most are just glad to participate. Top name drivers from NASCAR even want to get in on the action.

Hot laps and qualifying races were held on
Thursday and Friday with the highest dollar main events held on Saturday. Sometimes the best racing isn’t for the win, it’s for the last transfer spot. As the program progresses to the top tiers, many good drivers can be eliminated simply because of a flat tire, dangling sheet metal, a spinout, a rollover, or some other mechanical issue. Sometimes it’s just luck that gets a front-row starting spot because the top qualifiers draw for the first eight positions in the a-main.

Two of the three divisions had the winner start from the front row and survived the cautions and challenges to claim the big money.

Winners were Bobby Pierce (2017 winner) in the 40 lap Late Model main for a $30,000 purse, Christopher Bell in the $10,000 Midget 30 lap race, and Mike Harrison in the $10,000 Modified 30 lap feature.

Dates haven’t been announced yet for 2019, but it will certainly be on my calendar again.