NASCAR Stars Playing in the Dirt at Paducah
By Dennis Michelsen

Do you recall that simple life as a kid when going out and playing in the dirt was a good time? No video games and no organized sports teams, just good old-fashioned fun with your friends! By the time you got home you were so disgustingly dirty your mom had to toss you in the tub just to make sure she had the right kid! Now we always seem to have an appointment here or a commitment there. Wouldn't it be nice just to head outside and see just how much fun you could have again playing in the dirt? For NASCAR's stars they still get a chance to go play in the dirt…racing style! If you the discerning racing fan is looking for a fun night out at affordable prices, head on down to the local dirt track for a unique brand of racing. Great news for you if you are within a few hours of Paducah International Raceway because they will put on a show you will never forget!

Last year Kenny Schrader got together with Dale Earnhardt Jr and Midwest race promoter Bob Sargent to purchase the Paducah International Raceway. Kenny's support for the local racer at his tracks is well known. Almost eight thousand fans packed PIR for the first "NASCAR Night" of the year. While the stars of NASCAR were certainly the hook to get people to the track, many of these same folks will make the trek to Paducah for the weekly racing show after what they experienced on a warm, breezy night. Track workers were still busy putting the final touches on the new grandstand as the fans started to arrive. They needed all the space they could get! For a facility used to handling much smaller crowds, the service and security in place was better than that at some NASCAR events! Joining Kenny Schrader out on the track racing were NASCAR stars Kenny Wallace and Tony Stewart. Dale Earnhardt Jr stopped by to sign autographs and thank the fans for their support. Someone needs to talk Junior into racing next time!

This is racing without politics and any other assorted BS. No "Lucky Dog" passes to get back on the lead lap or provisional to get a free pass into the race! Kenny Schrader had to win his way into the feature event in his UMP Late Model in the consolation race…a last chance qualifier with only the first two finishers getting to race more on this night. Tony Stewart thrilled the crowd by winning his heat race, but had equipment problems in the feature. The UMP Late Model race was won easily by local star Terry English, his fourth win of the 2006 season. Maybe the most exciting feature of the night was in the mini sprint division. A three-way battle on the infield's 1/5th mile track brought the crowd to their feet to watch Dereck King wear down Phillip Bundren for the win! But almost three full hours of action-packed fun sent the crowd home with a smile.

Fans that have never experienced racing on anything but pavement probably just don't understand the excitement surrounding a dirt track race. Just as it is tough to explain to your non-racing friends how 43 cars turning left for almost four hours can be entertaining, dirt track racing is something you have to see to believe! When a top-notch facility such as Paducah International Raceway is available, race fans will be treated to a memorable racing experience. Do you know how asphalt races can get a little boring if one driver pulls away? There is no such thing as a boring dirt track race; the racing surface has enough uncertainty to challenge even the best drivers right down to the last lap! Kenny Schrader even spun out giving a fan an exciting ride around PIR in the Harrah's Casino Two-Seater! This racing can be unpredictable and is always thrilling down to the last lap.

The next "NASCAR Night" at Paducah International Raceway is scheduled for May 17th. It is great seeing NASCAR's stars giving back to the local racers by upgrading these dirt track facilities to treat the local racers in a first class manner. While NASCAR's heroes always pack the fans in, this place is worth a visit on a regular race night. You owe yourself a treat so turn back the clock in time and go out and play in the dirt!