By DUSTY WIEGERT

Special to The Hays Daily News

MINNEAPOLIS -- After getting washed out at the Mid-America Speedway last week in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, the stars and cars of the MidwestDirt Late Model Series steer their way north to the Minneapolis Raceway in Minneapolis, Kansas this Saturday September 19.

It will be the first ever appearance by Late Models at the 3/8 mile facility since it opened in 2006. The series comes fresh off a 20+ car count trip to Mid-America Speedway before the rain out, where many of the competitors seen there will be in attendance this week as well.

One highlight of this event will be a special Autograph Session held at 5:30 near the ticket gate for all attendees at the event, featuring the drivers of the MidwestDirt Late Model Series.

The event will pay $1000 to the feature winner with $200 awaiting all starters of the A Main.

As an added bonus there will be a Cash Dash sponsored by Speedy Cash of Salina. It will pay $100 to the winner.

Series points leader Chuck Comer of Joplin, Missouri has 2 wins during the season, both coming at the Caney Valley Speedway. Delbert "The Iceman" Smith of Wichita, Kansas also has 2 feature wins, both coming at the Norton County Fair. Both drivers, along with lone race winner Ryan McAninch, are expected to be in attendance for this week's inaugural event.

Also in action will be 4 IMCA sanctioned divisions, all racing for National, Regional, and State points. They will be the Grandma Max's IMCA Modifieds, the T&R Dirt Construction IMCA Northern SportMods, Coors Light IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Lott Implement IMCA Sport Compacts.

Admission for the night will be $15 for adults, kids 7-14 $5 with kids 6 and under FREE. Pit passes will be $25.

Pit gates open at 4:00 with grandstands open at 5:00, hot laps at 6:00, and racing at 7:00.

For more information on the MidwestDirt Late Model Series please visit www.mdlms.net or call 785-342-2565.

For more information on the Minneapolis Raceway please visit www.minneapolisraceway.com or call 785-392-FAST.