Summer extravaganza highlights Laird double race week

Drivers are preparing for a busy week as Laird International Raceway prepares for two races and a summer extravaganza.

LIR will run their regular Thursday program tomorrow with qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, Laird will run another full show after a full day of events for the 1st Annual Laird International Raceway Summer Extravaganza.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the event features a demolition derby, an antique car show, burnout display, six live bands including the Fairlane Cruisers and Mustang Heart, laser tag, paint ball, a pig and beef roast, pony rides, hay rides, a petting zoo, a balloon bounce and face painting. Qualifying for racing begins at 6 p.m. followed by the races at 7 p.m. Fans will then have the opportunity to meet the drivers following the races.

Anyone interested in participating in the burnout display and demolition derby must pre-register at Lakeway Truck Centre. Admission is $15 for the day while children under 12 are free.

LIR also invites anyone interested in camping out may do so on Friday night for free. Anyone staying must check in by 10 p.m. on Friday night. LIR is located on Lake George Road east of Sault Ste. Marie.

With the addition of a special Saturday night event, several drivers are spending sleepless nights deciding which track to compete at with the Kinross Speedway running their regular Saturday night show as well.

Jason Praysner has the biggest decision as the factory stock driver leads the points standings at both tracks. Praysner, with 387 points, is holding a nine-point advantage over David Slingsby at Laird and his 603 points are good for a 23-point advantage over Jerry Ball at Kinross.

In the pure stock class, three drivers are in contention for a championship at both tracks. Barry Glenn, who has missed a few nights with back problems, holds the lead at Kinross while sitting fifth and still within reach at Laird. Ray Golladay holds a 13-point lead over Norm Miller at Laird while sitting 13 points behind Glenn at Kinross. Bob Laphew is third at Laird and fourth at Kinross.

In other division races at Laird, Rob Hiiemaa's 379 points leads the late model field over Rick Ellis with 323 points, and George Wilson with 296. Paul Beauchamp leads a tight four cylinder division with 328 points followed by Dan Dinsmore with 315, Bill Butler with 301, Jeremy Van Hoek with 300 and Matt Huber with 283 points.

In the pure stocks, Golladay has 349 points followed by Miller with 336, Laphew with 319, Joe Addison with 310 and Glenn with 295 points.