Tradition will return to Columbus this weekend with the running of the 11th Annual Columbus Nissan James Nickoles Memorial at Columbus Speedway, “The Baddest Bullring in the South.”
Various tours have sanctioned the James Nickoles Memorial, including the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series (MSCCS), Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS), Southern United Professional Racers (SUPR), and Southern All Star Series (SAS). However, for the past few years the race has been on hiatus.
The MSCCS Super Late Model Tour will return to sanction the $5,000-to-win/$300-to-start event. Many of the area’s and region’s top Super Late Model pilots are expected to converge on the 1/3 mile oval for the event, including Chris Wall, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Rick Rickman, Scott Dedwylder, Jeremy Broadus, Jason Brock, Eric Cooley, Chad Thrash, Brian Rickman, Kyle Beard, Scott Creel, Jamie Elam, Cliff Williams, Henry Cooper, Hunter Rasdon, Leon Henderson, Mark Dodson, Dane Dacus, and many more.
Cattleman’s Steak and Fish Restaurant in Columbus will sponsor a $200 fast-time award.
Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Limited Late Models, which will battle for $1,000-to-win/$50-to-start with no entry fee, also will be in action. With Crate Late Model specials in the area attracting the attention of some of the track’s regular competitors this weekend, the track made the decision to open the rules for this Saturday’s program to give other competitors a chance to race at the facility as well as the Crate Late Model competitors. With car counts down in the Crate Late Model class this season Columbus Speedway is testing the waters on the best method to move forward with the division. Limited Late Model Rules are posted in the Rules section at www.ColumbusSpeedway.net .
An open practice session will also be from 7-10 p.m. Friday. Pit admission is $15. Grandstand admission is free.
On Saturday, the driver’s meeting is slated for 6:30 p.m. Racing will start at 7 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is $20, with ages 11-18, seniors, and military $10. Ages 10 and under are free in the grandstands. Pit admission is $30 for adults, with ages 7-18 $15, and ages 6 and under free.
For more information, visit www.ColumbusSpeedway.net, or call Mike Mauldin at 662-213-3047 or Jeff Greer at 256-349-4328.
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