Weekly racing returns to Missouri State Fair Speedway
Sedalia, MO - November 19, 2009
By: Sam Stoecklin

The wait is over; weekly dirt racing makes its return to the Historic Half Mile track at State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri in 2010! Jason Bodenhamer and Reid Millard, two familiar names within the racing community, will handle promotions and race operations at the speedway. Bodenhamer's name is synonymous with racing.

As the son of legendary area driver and track owner Al Bodenhamer, Jason has carved out a successful driving career of his own piloting late models and modifieds on tracks throughout the Midwest and now he will add the title of promoter to his resume. Reid Millard is a well-known area late model driver himself and a successful businessman based out of Jefferson City, Missouri. Bodenhamer stated, "Race fans have longed for the return of racing to the historic half mile for quite some time and we are committed to providing fans and drivers a full schedule of weekly racing and special events."

Weekly racing kicks off on opening night, Friday, April 16th at the speedway in three race divisions, which include 360 Sprint Cars, Late Models, and A-Modifieds. A week prior, on Saturday, April 10th, the track will hold a Test and Tune practice session for all competitors and is planning a car show for the same day. "We have fourteen regular weeks scheduled at this time and we are furiously working to schedule various special events" said Bodenhamer.

He also stated "Our 360 Sprint Car division's rules are based off the WoW sprint car rules and we are currently working on finalizing rules for the late models. Modified rules will fall right in line with standard A-Mod rules in the area with the exception of allowing the use of aluminum heads with fifty pounds of weight added in front of the engine mid plate. Local driver Brian 'Ziggy' Ziegler will serve as the track's official technical inspector."

Bodenhamer is also well known in the racing community for holding the annual Bodee's Racer's Auction and Trade Show on the fairgrounds in Sedalia. This year he will tie in several items on the agenda for the speedway with the annual event, which takes place on the weekend of January 30-31, 2010. "We will have our rules, registration forms, and schedule of events ready to go by the time the auction comes around" stated Bodenhamer.

Karen Darling will serve as official scorer for the speedway; Darling brings with her over thirty-five years experience scoring race events. Hershel Thompson will handle the flag stand at the speedway, like Darling, Thompson has well over thirty years of experience at various speedways serving as flag man. Glenn Portzen will take care of track preparation at the speedway. Additional track personnel are currently being lined up for the speedway.

The speedway will use a passing-points system and straight up pill draw to set lineups for regular Friday night action. General admission will be $12 with special discounted rates for military personnel, senior citizens, and children. Regular event start times include hot laps at 6:30 and racing getting underway at 7 P.M.

In the coming weeks, the speedway will make additional announcements regarding competition rules, an official track Web site, driver registration, and special events. E-mail PRatSFS@live.com for additional information. Potential business partners are urged to call Bodenhamer during normal business hours at (816) 230-8322 or by calling his mobile phone at (816) 522-8343 to make business arrangements. Don't miss your chance to be part of the fast-approaching race season at Sedalia's State Fair Speedway!