Although advertised as a 1/4-mile, Montpelier could probably pass for a 3/10. The grass infield is kept clear of push vehicles, packer cars, and tow trucks making for easy viewing of the entire track. A guardrail and catchfence begins in turn four and extends down the frontstretch to turn one. The pits and located back off turn one as cars both enter and exit the speedway in the middle of turns one and two. Plenty of sturdy wooden grandstands provide parking for your fanny and a very nice luxury suite is connected to the announcers booth. The midway behind the grandstands offers restrooms with running water, a souvenir stand full of track merchandise, and a concessions stand for your dining and dancing pleasure. The concession stand offers a wide variety of menu options, all of which are reasonably priced, including a hot dog for $1.50, a 24oz. soda for $1.50, and a Showtime favorite tenderloin "sammich" for just $3.00.
Racing started right at the advertised time of 7pm and, just as soon as one prelim was finished, the next one was on the track. As a matter of fact, a total of 11 Heats were run in just an hour and ten minutes. Intermission started at 8:10pm and lasted until 8:50pm when the Dwarf Car feature rolled onto the speedway. The highlight of the A-Mains had to be the extremely competitive UMP Modified feature which saw tons of passing and a lot of slicing and dicing among the top three cars. Coming down to take the white flag, Todd Sherman grabbed the lead and held on for the final circuit to post the win.
Although a little rough in the corners thanks to Mother Nature's rainstorms earlier in the week, the track was very racey and cars could pass anywhere they chose to. With an 11pm curfew in tact, the entire show was finished by 10:30pm. All-in-all, this was one of the more enjoyable nights I've had at the race track this season thanks to great hospitality, outstanding racing, and a very well run program.
That's it for me. August is a big month with the North/South 100 and Jackson 100 on the agenda. Until next time, we're looking for more tenderloins here at 414-C West Buckeye, Ada, OH 45810. Email always reaches me at DustinJ14@adelphia.net. It's Showtime!
PUTTIN' ON A SHOW
by Dustin Jarrett
Montpelier (IN) Motor Speedway, 7/29/06 -- With a rare Saturday off from the BoB Series, Jayme made her way to Ada and we jumped on the opportunity to hit a new race track. Just an hour and 45 minutes from home is the Montpelier Motor Speedway, located in Montpelier, IN. Montpelier made Career Track #97 for me. A well-kept facility, Montpelier offered a five-program show on this particular night with 21 UMP Modifieds, 13 Super Streets, 16 Streets, 19 Thunder Cars, and 11 Dwarfs.
