I-77 To Host Jim Dunn Qualifier Saturday

RIPLEY, W.Va. – I-77 Speedway will attract some of the top dirt track Late Model racers in the region Saturday evening as they compete for a $2,000 prize and the opportunity to qualify for the Jim Dunn Memorial Race in Ohio.

“We expect to see Late Model cars on Saturday that might not normally race at I-77 Speedway because the opportunity to qualify for the Jim Dunn Memorial is a big attraction,” Todd Jones, president of MW Motorsports, said. “The Jim Dunn Memorial is one of the biggest unsanctioned, or stand-alone, races in the region.”

The 35th annual Jim Dunn Memorial is scheduled to be held June 18 at Midway Speedway at Crooksville, Ohio, with a top prize of $12,000. This Saturday’s race at I-77 Speedway is the fourth of five qualifiers for the Jim Dunn Memorial. The top finisher in the Late Model class who does not otherwise qualify in heats for the Jim Dunn Memorial will automatically qualify for the race on June 18.

Jim Dunn won the first Dirt Track World Championship at Pennsboro Speedway in Ritchie County, W.Va., in 1981. Over the next 18 months, he was one of the most popular dirt track racers until he died in a multi-car accident at a race in Kentucky in 1983.

“Jim was one of the nicest guys in racing, and his legend lives on,” Michael Gibson, owner of Gibby’s King Championship Points Series, which holds the Jim Dunn Memorial, said. “Saturday’s race at I-77 Speedway should be a good show as drivers compete not only for the $2,000 prize but also for the opportunity to qualify automatically for the Jim Dunn Memorial. Drivers get $500 just for qualifying for the Jim Dunn Memorial and a chance to win the $12,000 prize.”

The top three racers who have qualified so far are: Devin Moran, winner at Midway Speedway; Jackie Boggs, winner at Atomic Speedway at Waverly, Ohio; and Corey Conley, winner at Hilltop Speedway at Millersburg, Ohio. After Saturday’s race at I-77 Speedway, the final qualifier will be held May 5 at Skyline Speedway at Guysville, Ohio.

In addition to the Jim Dunn qualifier for Late Models, I-77 Speedway will hold a full evening Saturday of American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) points races with Steel Block Late Models, AMRA Modifieds and AMRA Sport Mods, as well as Wedge Racing Association (WRA) Mini-Wedges. This week only, the AMRA Modifieds will race for a purse of $1,000.

Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. The drivers’ meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by Mini-Wedge heats at 6:45 p.m., qualifying at 7:00 p.m. and racing at 8:00 p.m. A pit pass this week costs $35.00, general admission is $20.00. Accompanied minors ages 10 and below get free general admission. Accompanied children five and under get into the pits for free.

I-77 Speedway is a three-eighths-mile, clay, oval stock car racetrack located south of Ripley. More information about the track and its racing schedule is available at: http://www.I-77speedway.com.

(For more information, contact Todd Jones of I-77 Speedway at 304-373-1110 or 304-549-9278. You also may contact Michael Gibson of Gibby’s King Championship Points Series at 740-819-5240.)