By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

Springfield Raceway co-owner Jerry Hoffman is thinking big numbers for the OctoberFast scheduled tonight and Saturday night at the quarter-mile dirt track.

“I’ll be disappointed — and surprised — if we don’t have between 130 and 140 race teams,” Hoffman said on Thursday. “We’re offering about $30,000 in prize money.”

Hoffman, Oronogo, and Springfield’s Doug Bland, former official with the defunct Joplin 66 Speedway, direct operations at Springfield Raceway.

Hoffman said that the modified class headlines the third Octoberfast presented by Bordertown Casino and Hardee’s. The event offers competition in six classes.

Hoffman expects the modified class will lure between 40-50 drivers.

First place in the modified main event will be worth $1,500. Making the 24-car starting field will pay $400. Drivers second through fifth will pocket $1,000, $750, $650 and $600.

Sport mod, factory stock, bomber, pro-4 and Legends Cars complete the classes. The payout for first and a starting berth in those classes are $700 and $110 (sport mod), $500 and $100 ( factory), $500 and $100 (bomber), $400 and $80 (Legends) and $200 and $60 (pro-4).

Qualifying heat races are scheduled tonight with racing at 7:15. Admission prices are $10 and $5 (ages 6-12). Last-chance races and A and B features will be held on Saturday’s 7:15 p.m. program. Adult admission on Saturday is $12. A pit pass is $30.

The track’s last event of the season is the Open Wheel Turkey Classic scheduled on Nov. 29.

Nevada Speedway

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Midwest Late Model Racing Association will finish its season on Saturday night at the quarter-mile dirt track.

Support classes on the 7 p.m. program are modified and factory stock.

The winner of the 40-lap MLRA main event receives $3,000. Adrian’s David Turner won the previous MLRA main event at Nevada.