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Prairie Dirt Classic Sets New Race Format, Payouts and Weekend Information

PRE RACE PDC

Prairie Dirt Classic Sets New Race Format, Payouts and Weekend Information

Update to the World of Outlaws $30,000-to-win Event on July 28th & 29th

By: Fairbury American Legion Speedway PR 

FAIRBURY, IL- May 24, 2017-  When Fairbury American Legion Speedway and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series Officials first announced their partnership back in the spring of 2013, one thing was certain: the Prairie Dirt Classic was set for greatness. Taking home DirtonDirt.com’s National “Race of the Year” honors three out of the past four years, the Prairie Dirt Classic has become one of the elite events in the country. Set apart by the green-to-checkered excitement on the track and the passionate FALS fans off it, the 28th annual Prairie Dirt Classic presented by the Bank of Pontiac will again set the bar high in 2017. The two-day $30,000-to-win World of Outlaws-sanctioned event set for July 28-29 will feature the top drivers in the country chasing a total payout of $93,000 that includes $1,500 to start for the 100-lap feature event.   

Fairbury officials are excited to announce the continued partnership with of the Bank of Pontiac as title sponsor for the Prairie Dirt Classic weekend. The relationship between the Bank of Pontiac and all the new sponsors for the PDC weekend will allow the event to reach an even higher level for fans, drivers and crews.

New to the Prairie Dirt Classic format in 2017, Showdown Features will headline what will be a wild Friday night of racing around the quarter-mile bullring known as FALS on July 28. Drivers entering the PDC weekend in both the World of Outlaws action and the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will go through hot-lap sessions and qualifications before they are split up into four (4) Showdown Features in their respective classes based on their qualifying times. Throw the heat races out the door and strap in for eight “Saturday Night Shootout” style features with the best drivers in the country on the opening night of the Prairie Dirt Classic. 

Each of the four World of Outlaws Showdown Features will be 25 laps in length and pay $2,500 to win, including $200 to start for each competitor. The top four (4) finishers from each event will transfer to the Prairie Dirt Classic finale on Saturday night, July 29, with the top two finishers from each Showdown Feature redrawing to set the first four rows of the PDC 100-lapper. Sixteen drivers will earn their spot in the PDC from the Showdown Features on Friday night and the top three finishers from two (2) B-mains on Saturday will join them. Two (2) World of Outlaws and two (2) Fairbury Speedway provisionals will round out the 26-car field for the running of the 28th annual Prairie Dirt Classic.

The eighth annual Prairie Dirt Shootout presented by Summit Racing Equipment will again play a big part of this awesome weekend of racing at FALS on Saturday night as the Late Model Non-Qualifiers feature will pay $2,000 to win and $300 to start. The 25-lap Shootout will start 20 cars, which means 46 drivers will compete in a feature event and earn additional money for the weekend. Continuing again in 2017, the winner of the PDC Shootout will have the option to take the $2,000 or turn down the winner’s money and gain a starting spot in the 28th annual Prairie Dirt Classic. Last year Jonathan Davenport won the Shootout, started 27th in the 100-lapper and was up to 10th by lap 45 before mechanical issues ended his night, proving it could be worth the gamble.

The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will also follow this exciting format for their weekend event. Four 15-lap Showdown Features will be on the card Friday night with each paying $500 to win and $100 to start. The top four (4) from each Modified Showdown Feature will transfer to the 40-lap Summit Racing Equipment finale paying $5,000 to win on Saturday night, with the top two (2) from each Showdown Feature redrawing to set the first four rows of the headliner. Sixteen transfers from the Showdown Features with join with the top two (2) finishers from two (2) B-mains on Saturday and four (4) Summer Nationals provisionals to round out the 24-car field.

Fairbury officials are excited to announce the title sponsorship for each of the eight Showdown Features planned for Friday, July 28. The commitment from our marketing partners for the Prairie Dirt Classic has allowed the Fairbury Speedway to continue giving back to the drivers and fans in a way of payouts and exciting racing. Sponsoring the World of Outlaws Late Model Showdowns is Dyer’s Top Rods, Pontiac RV, FK Rod Ends, and WEHRS Machine, while sponsoring the Modified Showdowns is Summit Racing Equipment, Deke Trucking, Bulldog Motorsports and Schahrer Farms & Trucking.

Along with our Showdown Feature sponsors, we would like to recognize event sponsors Dave’s Supermarket, Varsitee Screen-printing and Moe’s Southwest Grill.

Full Payouts of all the events during the Prairie Dirt Classic Weekend can be found on the Fairbury Speedway website.

Ticket Prices
Weekend General Admission Wristband – $45
Weekend Pit-Pass Wristband – $75
Friday Only General Admission – $20
Friday Only Pit-Pass – $35
Saturday Only General Admission – $30
Saturday Only Pit-Pass – $45

  • General Admission or Pit Pass Wristbands must be purchased at time of arrival (NO EXCEPTIONS)
  • No one will enter Fairgrounds without paying for a ticket.
  • Anyone entering the grounds before Friday, July 28, must purchase a weekend General Admission ticket. (NO EXCEPTIONS)
  • Children 12-and-under free with paying adult!
  • Minors in the pits will be $15 per night (12 & Under)
  • Any person 17 years of age and under must have a parental consent form signed before entering the pit area. 
  • Reserved Seating can be purchased online at  until noon Friday, July 28.  Remaining reserved seating tickets can be purchased at the speedway starting at 2 p.m. and running until approximately 5 p.m. at which time ALL remaining seats on the frontstretch without an orange dot on them will be considered general admission.
  • Reserved seats will be available for purchase on the grounds on Saturday, July 29, if available (times TBA).

Blankets & Seating

Blankets may be put down on the frontstretch main covered grandstands only at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 29. Any blankets/seats put down before that time unless authorized will be taken down and placed near the closest stairs.  Continuing in 2017, you will not be able to leave your blanket overnight for Saturday’s show. All blankets and unauthorized seating remaining Saturday morning will be placed at the nearest exit and cleaned for Saturday’s events.  On Saturday, July 29, fans will again be allowed to put down blankets in the frontstretch covered grandstands only at 4 p.m. FALS will not be liable for stolen blankets. Any blankets not in use at 6 p.m. on Saturday night will be removed and stored by the fairgrounds. FALS is asking our fans to NOT use stadium seating because of the large crowd that is anticipated. Please respect your neighbors when putting down blankets. Remember there is NO Smoking in the grandstands! 

Camping Information

The gates will be open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, to allow campers with reservations ONLY to secure their spots. Please be prepared to buy your weekend wristband upon arrival. No Exceptions!

  • Reserved Camping is sold out for the weekend. However, if you are camping and do not have reservations there will be an overflow lot offsite across the street from the track that will be first-come, first-serve. Overflow parking will begin at 6 p.m. sharp and not before. Be prepared to buy your weekend ticket and camping fees.  Camping fees for the overflow lot are $45.00 for the weekend.

For those without camping reservations, a spot must be reserved (if available) with a vehicle with no additional spots saved without a vehicle in them (NO CAUTION TAPE OR STAKES ALLOWED). These rules apply to everyone without exception. Each Camping Lot Must have an RV/Trailer on it; no car/van/truck-only parking is allowed in Camping Lots.

There are NO hookups for campers. Generators are allowed if reasonably quiet. Quiet time at the fairgrounds for the weekend will be from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. Failure to obey camping rules, regulations and respect for the fairgrounds will result in loss of privileges for future events.

Campfires will be allowed ONLY in raised fire pits. Please dispose of your ashes in the metal barrels around the speedway grounds.

Gate Entrance Times

  • 1st Street Gate opens on Wednesday night, July 26, at 6 p.m. for all camping reservations to secure their spot.  (Must pay for a weekend wristband $45 upon arrival.)
  • Gates will remain open and staffed throughout the weekend starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 26. No entrance to the fairgrounds will be allowed unless purchasing a ticket for the 28th annual Prairie Dirt Classic Weekend.
  • 1st Street walk up gates will open up Friday and Saturday at Noon. General admission tickets will be available for purchase at this gate. 
  • 2nd Street gate will open at Noon on Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29, for parking and general admission ticket sales. 
  • Race Car haulers must use 3rd street pit gate all week leading up to the event!
  • Pit Gate (3rd Street Only) will open up at 8 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. No cars will be allowed through this entrance at any time.

For Race Car Rigs Travelling and arriving during the night late Thursday, haulers will use the Main Pit Gate on 3rd Street.  Race Teams will be parked upon arrival by speedway officials for maximum capacity for the weekend. 

Additional Weekend Information

  • All credential requests must be sent to FALS Race Director Matt Curl prior to the PDC weekend @ 
  • Once credentials are approved, they will only be allowed to be picked up at 3rd street gate secretary’s office beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, July 28.
  • All Vendors must pre-register for the Prairie Dirt Classic Weekend. Vendor’s fees will be $300 for the weekend. Registration request can be sent to  .
  • No unauthorized Drones will be allowed on the grounds of the Fairbury American Legion Speedway at any time. 
  • Rain Date if needed for the 28th annual Prairie Dirt Classic is scheduled for Sunday, July 30.

Golf Cart Rules

General Rules That Apply Every Race Night

  1. All drivers must be at least 16 years old.
  2. No 4-wheeler or “gator” type vehicles are allowed outside of the pit area. GOLF CARTS ONLY in the general admission area.
  3. General admission area and pit area vehicles are restricted to their respective areas after the pits are closed to the public.
  4. A reasonable, slow (approximately 5 mph) speed limit will be enforced at all times.
  5. No carts allowed between the backstretch bleachers and the fence, on the horse track in front of the grandstands and anywhere posted “NO GOLF CARTS”.

Special Event Rules

  1. All “general” rules apply.
  2. All general admission area golf carts must be registered to be allowed on the property. A $10.00 seasonal registration fee will apply. Golf cart stickers can be purchased at the 1st street ticket gate or on arrival for the weekend.
  3.  All golf carts not staying on the premises overnight need not be registered but must be parked in the designated areas outside of the 1st and 2nd street gates for general admission or in the designated area outside the 3rd street gate for pit admission.
  4. All general admission area golf carts must be parked on race nights from 4 p.m. until sunrise and from sunset until sunrise on non-race nights.
  5. All pit area golf carts, 4-wheelers, etc. must be parked from 30 minutes after the conclusion of the last race until sunrise.
  6. Special exemptions to the rules for special needs will be considered if applied for in writing in advance. Applications must be received by FALS at P.O. Box 74, Fairbury, IL 61739 at least 1 week prior to the event.

 Anyone violating the above rules may forfeit their right to operate their vehicle on our property and may be required to “load up” or remove their vehicle immediately at the discretion of the FALS officials.

GOLF CART OPERATION ON OUR PROPERTY IS A PRIVILEGE THAT WE GRANT…NOT A RIGHT! YOUR HELP IN OBEYING THESE RULES AND REPORTING THOSE WHO CHOOSE NOT TO OBEY THEM WILL HELP ENSURE THAT THIS PRIVILEGE IS NOT REVOKED.

Race Program Information

Friday night July 28: 

Drivers Meeting at 5:30 p.m., Hot Laps at 6 p.m., Qualifying at 6:30 p.m., Racing to Follow!

Order of Events (Subject to change)

  • UMP Summit Modified Nationals Hot Laps
  • WoO LM Hot Laps
  • UMP Modified Qualifying (A/B group Qualifying, 2 Laps per car, 3 cars per session)
  • WoO LM Qualifying (A/B group Qualifying, 2-Laps per car, 2 cars per session)
  • UMP Modified Summit Racing Equipment Showdown Feature #1 – 15 Laps, $500 to win, $100 to start
  • UMP Modified Deke Trucking Showdown Feature #2 – 15 Laps. $500 to win, $100 to start
  • UMP Modified Bulldog Motorsports Showdown Feature #3 – 15 Laps $500 to win, $100 to start
  • UMP Modified Schahrer Trucking & Farms Showdown Feature #4 – 15 Laps $500 to win , 100 to Start
  • WoO LM Dyer’s Top Rods Showdown Feature #1 – 25 Laps $2,500 to win, $200 to start
  • WoO LM Pontiac RV Showdown Feature #2 – 25 Laps $2,500 to win, $200 to start
  • WoO LM FK Rod Ends Showdown Feature #3 – 25 Laps $2.500 to win, $200 to start
  • WoO LM WEHRS Machine Showdown Feature #4 – 25 Laps $2,500 to win, $200 to start

Saturday night July 29

Drivers Autograph Session 4 p.m. on Vendor Row, Drivers Meeting at 5:15 p.m., Hot Laps at 5:45 p.m.

Order of Events (Subject to change)

  • UMP Modified B-Main Hot Laps
  • WoO Late Model B-Main Hot Laps
  • WoO Late Model & Modified Re-Draw & Pre-Race Festivities
  • (2) UMP Modifieds B-Mains 15 Laps, Top 2 to Summit Modified Nationals
  • UMP Summit Modified Nationals Feature cars Hot Lap session
  • (2) WoO Late Model B-Mains 20-Laps (top 2 to the PDC)
  • WOO Late Model Feature cars Hot Lap session
  • Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Feature ($5,000 to win, 40-Laps)
  • 8th Annual Summit Racing Equipment Prairie Dirt Shootout 25-Laps, Winner’s Choice to take the $2,000 or transfer to PDC
  • Intermission & Track Prep
  • 28th Annual Prairie Dirt Classic (100 Laps $30,000 to win) present by the Bank of Pontiac

Tire Rules

WOO Late Model Tire Rule: T.B.A.

U.M.P. Modifieds: Tire Rule Hoosier compound: Hoosier E-Mod 26.5 or 27.5 “A-40S”, “H-40”, “M-30S” & “M-60”

The A-40s and the H-40 will no longer be built after March 1st 2017, Siping is permitted on the A-40S and H-40 until out of circulation during the 2017 season.  Siping is permitted on the M-60 when used as a right rear.
NO “D” or “A” tire will be allowed at any-time!  NO GROOVING ON ANY TIRE @ ANYTIME!!

Payouts

Prairie Dirt Classic                    Prairie Dirt Shootout                        Summit Modified Nationals

1.$30,000                                         $2,000                                           $5,000

2.$10,000                                         $1,000                                           $2,000

3.$6,000                                           $800                                              $1,500

4.$5,000                                           $700                                              $1,000

5.$4,000                                           $600                                              $900

6.$3,000                                           $500                                              $800

7.$2,750                                           $475                                              $700

8.$2,500                                           $450                                              $600

9.$2,300                                           $425                                              $550

10. $2,100                                        $400                                              $500

11.$1,900                                         $375                                              $475

12.$1,800                                         $350                                              $450

13.$1,700                                         $325                                              $425

14.$1,650                                         $300                                              $400

15.$1,600                                         $300                                              $400

16.$1,580                                         $300                                              $400

17.$1,560                                         $300                                              $400

18.$1,540                                         $300                                              $400

19.$1,520                                         $300                                              $400

20.$1,500                                         $300                                              $400

21.$1,500                                                                                              $400

22.$1,500                                                                                              $400

23.$1,500                                                                                              $400

24.$1,500                                                                                              $400

25.$1,500                                                                                                                               

26. $1,500

Late Model Showdown Feature Payout                                     Modified Showdown Feature Payout

1. $2,500                                                                                                $500

2.$1,000                                                                                                 $250

3.$500                                                                                                    $175

4.$250                                                                                                    $150

5.$225                                                                                                    $125

6-20. $200                                                                                              $100

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway would like to thank our Prairie Dirt Classic Sponsors which make an event like this possible:

Bank of Pontiac

Dyer’s Top Rods, Pontiac RV, FK Rod Ends, WEHRS Machine, Summit Racing Equipment, Deke Trucking, Bulldog Motorsports, Schahrer Farms & Trucking, Varsitee Screen Printing,   Dave’s Supermarket, Moe’s Southwest Grill.

The speedway is located three blocks south of U.S. 24 on 3rd St. in Fairbury, IL (at the fairgrounds). For more information visit www.fairburyspeedway.com. In case of inclement weather on race day, please monitor the track site forum for the latest event information or the speedways Facebook page.

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