Laird is ready to go racing

After weeks of anticipation, Laird International Raceway is set to drop the green flag on Thursday.

In a fierce battle with mother nature, LIR found themselves on the losing end as rain washed away the first three scheduled nights of racing.

Despite the continued wet conditions, track owner Donnie Varcoe says he'll have the track ready for Thursday.

Racing begins at 7 p.m.

Laird, located on Lake George Road West on the Laird Fairgrounds just east of Echo Bay, is set to enter their sixth season of stock car racing with a 15 night schedule.

LIR will run five divisions this year with the modified open wheel cars making their LIR debut joining the late models, factory stocks, pure stocks and stock fours.

"We are going to have to wait and see the response we get with the modifieds," said Varcoe. "We hopeful for a good turnout and there is supposed to be a good turnout but we won't find out for sure until we get to the track (on Thursday)."

Varcoe expects that fans, who have come to the track in increasing numbers over the years, will see some familiar faces tearing around the 1/3 mile asphalt track.

"It looks like we are going to have everyone back again this year and everything looks to be in line to start the year. Everyone is anxious to get going."

Each week Laird stages special events including extended features, twin features, spectator drags, hot dot races, stock four races in reverse and a mid-season championship.

Ticket prices are $11 for adults, $5.50 for children ages six to 12 and free for kids under six.

To visit the Laird International Raceway website, click here.