Dodge City Raceway Park to admit women for free tonight

    When the gates swing open at the Dodge City Raceway Park tonight and spectators arrive, they should notice many ladies in attendance because all ladies are admitted free.
    “We wanted to give the Ladies in our market area a free ticket so they could come and see how much fun racing is, “ said DCRP manager Ed Beckley.
    Sprint car racing has always been a staple at Dodge City, and tonight will be the first points race for weekly sprint car racing at the track, one of many things that make the Speedway a unique racing venue in Kansas.
    Dodge City Raceway Park is the only track in Kansas with weekly sprint car racing. A large and competitive field is expected in the sprint car division, and many of the drivers who compete this week will be vying all season long for the right to be crowned the first-ever champion of the Dodge City Harley-Davidson Winged Sprint Cars.
    Two weeks ago at the season opener, “Bad Boy” Brian Herbert from Dodge City won the 305 Sprint Car race here and the next night in Wichita, so he is one to contend with. Kansas Highway Patrolman Keefe Hemel, who was last year's sprint car track champion, finished second to Herbert after those two fought nearly the entire race. The 'Ice Man,' Brandon Fisher from Ensign, was third with an ill-handling car.
    This year the track has two IMCA-sanctioned classes: the IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Stock Car divisions. Both feature some new faces this season as well, and both are sure to provide lots of great racing action.
    Defending track champs Matt Rucker from Dodge City has been racing all over western Kansas this spring and looks to be a tough customer.  Rucker is also from Dodge City and is a second-generation racer. His father, Dave, raced at the old Dodge City Speedway, so the Rucker family has many laps of experience. That may be just what is working for them.
    Many new cars and competitive drivers are out this year, including George Tyler and Mike Lunow. Tyler is less experienced than some but has a hard-charging attitude this year.
    Lunow has raced since Reagan was the president. He has won many races and is always a threat. All will need to be faster than ever to stay ahead of the pack of hungry drivers intent on taking over their crowns.
    Grandstand ticket prices are $8 for general admission and $5 for children 3-12 with under 3 free. Tonight, all ladies are admitted free.
    Visit www.dodgecityraceway.com or call 620-225-3277 for more information.
    Gates open at 5 p.m. today. Hot laps start at 6 p.m., and the first race takes the green flag at 7:30.