By DAVID MILLER
Special to The Dispatch
Mother Nature has postponed the Mud Bug Classic at Columbus Speedway. .
Columbus Speedway was set to host a landmark event for the track Saturday night, with the Southern Winged Modified series and Super Late Models scheduled for $5,000-to-win and $4,000-to-win features, respectively, but Columbus promoter Rod Taylor announced late Thursday night that the show had been postponed to June 14-15 due to the threat of rain both tonight and Saturday.
Saturday’s show would have also included $1,000-to-win races for 602 Late Models and Factory Stocks.
The biggest draw, though, were the Super Late Models – Bub McCool was set to make his Columbus debut for Randy Thompson – and the winged modifieds.
Taylor said winged modified cars have never featured in the state of Mississippi, and he was excited to set a new precedent with the SWM series, currently in its first year of operation.
“It’s a big-block modified with a sprint car wing on top it,” Taylor said. “They create a lot of down-force, and it’ll be a big-ticket draw for hot-rod enthusiasts.”
But, with drivers coming from Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, among other states, Taylor and Charles Evans of CRE Promotions postponed the race accordingly. The announcement came with even bigger news for the new slate: an extra night of races. The new two-day show will feature a $3,000-to-win, $400-to-start Super Late Model race on June 14, and a $5,000-to-win $500-to-start Super race on June 15. Taylor and Evans will announce a race format in the coming days.
Taylor said CRE “has gone above and beyond” with the projected payouts.
“You’re talking $80,000 to put this thing on,” Taylor said. “It’s going to be an event Columbus Speedway has not seen in years. We’ll have added money in all divisions on both nights.”
Taylor said the postponement has given him more opportunity to work with other track promoters to ensure they do not schedule on top of Columbus in June. He said he’s confirmed with Magnolia Motor Speedway owner Johnny Stokes and Brian Mitchell at North Alabama Speedway that each track will cancel their scheduled shows on June 15.
“It’s just critical that we all try to work together and show people we are trying to help one another,” Taylor said.
Equally important in drawing big names to the new Mud Bug Classic date is the major touring series being off. Taylor said the World of Outlaws, Comp Camps, Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series and Southern All-Stars are off that weekend. Only the Lucas Oil series is racing.
Taylor had already decided to amend his weekly racing Super Late Models rules in hopes of drawing touring series regulars. Normally, Super Late Models must run American Racer tires and abide by a $450 shocks buyout rule. The revamped rules were designed to lessen the expense of running in the most costly division in dirt track racing. In June, the Super Late Model races will run under Southern All-Stars rules.
“We ought to have some pretty tough meat in here,” Taylor said. “It’s going to be an event Columbus Speedway has not seen in years.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.