By DUSTY WIEGERT

Special to The Hays Daily News

MUSKOGEE, Okla. -- Only a handful of days remain before the return of Late Model racing to the historic half-mile Thunderbird Speedway in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

The track will host the Midwest DIRTcar Late Model Series for their inaugural event at the Speedway this Saturday night July 3. It will be the first appearance by Late Models at the Speedway since 2003.

"A lot of people are talking about this show" track promoter Dennis Slader said recently. "They are all anticipating the return of the Late Models".

Late Model racing at Thunderbird has a very strong history, some of which will be cherished as part of the Reunion Showdown. Past Late Model legends Charlie Randolph, Tommy Laster, and Tommy Joe Pauschert will be in attendence during the evening to sign autographs along with the MDLMS drivers before the races begin at 6:00 PM.

Also something old getting new life will be the grandstands, of which more seating will be available this week. Portions of the fairgrounds will also be open in anticipation of larger crowds.

Grandstand admission for adults will be $12 with kids 10 and under free. Pit passes will be $30.

Also on the card will be the Modified division, paying $1000 to win and $100 to start. The SportMods will be in action also with a non-points race and open rules allowing the areas E-Mods to join in the action. The Super Stocks, Street Stocks, and Strictly Stocks will also join the program.

Pit gates open at 5:00 PM while grandstand seating opens shortly after. Hot laps get underway at 7:00 PM with racing to follow.

The Midwest DIRTcar Late Model Series comes off an event last Saturday night at the Brill Motor Speedway in Meeker, Oklahoma in which Brad Fortney of Wichita, Kansas picked up his first career win. Cale Gottschalk, Gary Gorby, Darin Busch, and Tyler Gottschalk are all locked into a tight points race for the top position in the series championship standings.

The Late Model portion of the event will pay $1000 to the winner and $200 to start. Bonus money is also awarded to drivers for traveling long distances. If a driver travels more than 200 miles one way they will make a minimum of $250 to start the Main Event. If a driver travels more than 300 miles one way they will make no less than $300 to start the Main Event.

The Alternative Pest Management Cash Dash will also take place with $150 going to the winner of the 5 car 5 lap dash, featuring the 5 drivers the longest ways from home.

Racers and fans are encouraged to stay at the Super 8 of Muskogee, in which they will receive a discounted rate upon mentioning Thunderbird Speedway. The Super 8 of Muskogee can be reached at 918-683-8888

For more information on the Thunderbird Speedway please visit http://www.thunderbirdspeedwaymuskogee.com or call 918-869-6955

For more information on the Midwest DIRTcar Late Model Series please visit http://www.mdlms.net or call 785-342-2565