A Visit to the Dirt Oval

4/12/2017

Today, I paid a visit to the Dirt Oval 66 on the Chicagoland Speedway/Route 66 Raceway complex. Beginning with the 2015 season, Sherri Heckenast became the promoter of the Dirt Oval.

Sherri had purchased the Team Demolition Association in 2008 and that series had been calling the Dirt Oval its home. The Dirt Oval was originally designed as a 1/2 mile dirt track and in its early years was the home to some exciting open wheel racing put on by USAC and the World of Outlaws. The last time the WOO ran was in 2005 and since then, other than a few specialty events, the TDA was the only tenant.

This brings us to 2017, Sherri has initiated a complete revamp of the racing surface and shrinking it to a 3/8 mile oval. Beginning on April 27th, the POWRI Sprint Cars, POWRI Midget’s, POWRI DII Midgets, and UMP Modifieds race on opening night. The 2017 schedule includes a total of four days of WOO racing (both Sprints and Late Models) in June and October, The TORC series (off-road trucks) in May, in August its Monster Truck Mayhem and in September prior to the arrival of NASCAR, the Chicagoland’s Dirty 30 Late Models, Modifieds, Winged Sprints racing will be held. These are all in addition to Team Demolition Derby. To see the full schedule please click here.

In conversation with Sherri, I learned the biggest hurdle to bringing dirt racing back to the complex was the racing surface itself. It had been reported that the cause of WOO not returning to the Chicagoland complex was that debris from the demolition derby racing cars had caused numerous tire failures. As they started to recondition the track, it was discovered that the track had become imbedded with rocks and stones. It took a massive cleanup to clear the dirt racing surface of the rocks and stones. Sherri believes this was the cause of the WOO tire failures. I took a photo tour of the track and here are some photos:

Tomorrow, there was to be an open practice, however the track is still a little soft, so that was cancelled. The first practice is scheduled for April 20th. By then it is hoped all the exterior walls would be replaced. I am really looking forward to racing coming back to the dirt oval and encourage everyone to come out and support the efforts of Sherri and her staff!

4 Comments

Scott Ferguson

4/14/2017 05:02:06 am

Sheri, you don't know how excited us dirt racing fans are that you are bringing back actual racing at the dirt oval. I'm sure with all the hard work you are putting into this that the racing will be awesome and you can put several shows on every year. Your complex is too nice not to have the top dirt racers in the country, weather it be sprints or late models, in our own backyard. I, along with a lot of dirt fans, can't wait. But please keep the beer prices reasonable (LOL)

kingpin

4/27/2017 12:01:18 pm

sounds like mr. ferguson drinks to much

Herman Wallace link

5/11/2017 03:15:40 pm

I attended the first and all subsequent dirt RACEs, WOO, USAC,All Star Sprints, UMP Southern All Stars, and AMA Pro Motorcycle. The 1998 opener for WOO Sprints was standing room only and subsequent races there were complaints about the surface. Route 66 had a booth at the off season auto shows and I spoke with the track representatives who could be seen at the track events also. They openly said the surface issues were being addressed with help from track specialists from the sport. Flat tires are a fact of dirt racing and happen at every track, I have traveled the United States to dirt races, car and motorcycle and cars do have flats. The idea that it was rocks that dove the WOO or any other sanctioning body away is silly. you drove the fans away too, they have gone elsewhere in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and even Iowa. Sad !

Terry link

5/11/2017 03:51:20 pm

Mr. Wallace,
My comment on rocks was in response to another outlet making the claim that it was car parts left over from demolition derby. I addressed the issue with the current promoter. As far as 'you drove them away", you make it sound like I have anything to do with the management of the racetrack. That couldn't be further from the truth! In fact, Ms. Heckenast had nothing to do with the management of the track back in the early days. That was two management/promoters ago. As far as myself, I a photographer that writes a blog, nothing more. There is no one working there now that had anything to do with the past, so I think it is unfair to cast a wide net and criticize the current management of the Dirt Oval. You can say anything you want , within reason, but as the writer of this blog, I prefer to approach things in a positive manner and thank Ms. Heckenast for taking on the responsibility of resurrecting the track. She is bringing a dirt track back to life and I say thank you to her!

Terry

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A Visit to the Dirt Oval

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