Super Late Model drivers have been begging for more big money shows, and lately they have gotten there wish. Over the last few years, the number of races paying $10,000 or more to win has grown exponentially.
Entering the 2017 season, there are already 26 races that will pay $10,000 or more based upon our research. In comparison, Speed51.com did a stat search on this a few years ago and found just over half a dozen races offered that much to win.
It seems as though the asphalt world has taken a page from the dirt world as the rules are closer then ever all across the county. In doing so they are paying more money to win, and in most cases more money to show up.
Not all drivers look at the winner’s share, but several of these races pay $1,000 to start if not more. Granted no one is really going to the race track to make money, unless they win every week, but that extra money certainly helps teams with the costs involved.
This current list of big money races shows that there is growth in Super Late Models and the future looks bright for those committed to the SLM ranks.
It’s hard to believe that the Oxford 250 and the Snowball Derby have paid $50,000 to win in the past. It’s just hard to offer that much money with so many variables like car count, crowd, weather and sponsorship.
Years ago, the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) had some big money races, paying $30,000, $75,000 and even $100,000 to win. In the asphalt world, those type of races are nearly unheard of.
It takes a lot for a promoter to take that risk of offering such a big purse. Any promoter that does take that risk should be applauded for their effort to give short track racers a chance to race for that kind of money.
Below are the list of events that are paying at least $10,000 to win for Super Late Models.
Disclaimer: Most of the information is from this year or last year showing the payout. This is a tentative list as not all schedules are out and purses are not yet finalized.
Super Late Model Races Paying $10,000 or More to Win
February 4th – Tucson Speedway (AZ) – Chilly Willy 150 – $10,000
February 11th – Kern Country Raceway Park (CA) – SRL – Winter Showdown – $30,000
February 18th – Greenville Pickens Speedway (SC) – Greenville Meltdown – $10,000
March 19th – South Alabama Speedway (AL) – Southern Super Series – Rattler 250 – $10,000
June 17th – Magic Valley Speedway (ID) – Spud 250 – $15,000
June 24th – Anderson Speedway (IN) – CRA – Redbud 400 – $10,000
July 12th – Seekonk Speedway (MA) – SLM Nationals – $10,000
July 15th – Riverside Speedway (NS) – IWK 250 – $10,000
July 22nd – Evergreen Speedway (WA) – Summer Showdown – $25,000
July 22nd – Orange County Speedway (NC) – CARS Tour – $10,000
July (TBD) – Slinger Speedway (WI) – Slinger Nationals – $10,000
July (TBD) – Montana Raceway Park – Montana 200 – $10,000
August 1st – Wisconsin Int’l Raceway – ARCA MT – Dixieland 250 – $10,000
August 26th – Berlin Raceway (MI) – CRA – Berlin 251 – $15,000
August 27th – Oxford Plains Speedway (ME) – PASS – Oxford 250 – $25,000
August (TBD) – Scotia Speedworld (NS) – Pro Stock Tour – Atlantic Cat 250 – $10,000
September 2nd – Rocky Mountain Raceways (UT) – NWSLMS/SRL – $10,000
September 3rd – Speedway 660 (NB) – Pro Stock 250 – $15,000
October 1st – Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville (TN) – All American 400 – $16,000
October 7th – Madera Speedway (CA) – Short Track Shootout – $10,000
October 8th – Winchester Speedway (IN) – CRA – Winchester 400 – $15,000
October 21st – Bullring at Las Vegas (NV) – Senator’s Cup Fall Classic – $10,000
November 12th – New Smyrna Speedway (FL) – Florida Governor’s Cup 200 – $15,000
November 18th – Bullring at Las Vegas (NV) – SRL Finale – $10,000
December 2nd – Five Flags Speedway (FL) Snowball Derby – $22,500
Other Late Model type races that pay $10,000 or more: Kalamazoo Klash (Outlaw), Martinsville 300 (LMSC), Myrtle Beach 400 (LMSC), Milk Bowl (ACT-type)
Please email us at [email protected] if you are with a track or series and we omitted or need to adjust information.
-By Elgin Traylor, Speed51.com Southeast Correspondent – Twitter: @ElginTraylor
-Photo credit: Norm Marx
