Farley News

Farley Speedway 2003 Preview
By: Bucky Doren (www.RaceRPM.com)
April 4, 2002

FARLEY, IA - A story book year unfolded for the NASCAR WRS Late Model
Farley Track Champion Josh McGowen in 2002. McGowen said that a
championship was a part of the plan, "but not this soon in our late
model career." A string of consistent finishes helped McGowen cap an
exciting year. The 2003 season looks ready to top that.

The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Track Championship came down
to the last night. Farley P.A. announcer Jerry Mackey said that McGowen
sat second in points and still needed a little help. "The help came in
the form of a mechanical failure to Denny Eckrich and another top three
finish for Josh," remembers Mackey.

"I am expecting to see a very tough field at Farley weekly again in
2003," predicts Mackey. With names like Jeff Aikey, Denny Eckrich,
Darren Mish along with McGowen, you have some proven winners ready to
attack the high-banked half-mile. A few new names may also add their
name into the mix. Jeff Tharp moves up in to a late model this year. And
Mackey has heard a few other names might make their way to Farley.
"Rumor has it that Curt Martin Martin will be back with us on Friday's,"
explains Mackey. "Jeremiah Hurst may be back with us this year and of
course don't forget "Little E". Andy Eckrich the youngest of the three
Eckrich brothers will be in a Late Model."

Jeff Aikey had a rough start in 2003 trying a new Masterbilt chassis.
Aikey and the team will start 2003 again in a Masterbilt, but this year
the team feels they have figured out the setup which was the problem at
season's start in 2002.

Also this year, the Modified class is shaping up to be another excite
class. Track champion Ron Barker had a phenomenal year in 2002. He will
return this year in a Harris Chassis. 2002 Dubuque Modified track
champion Jason Schuller and last year's modified Yankee Dirt Track
Champion Larry Herring will be ready to battle Barker. "I believe we can
count Kevin Pittman," said Mackey. "This should make for another
outstanding Modified class."

Farley's year-end bash has become one of the "must attend" events in
Eastern Iowa. The 26th annual Yankee Dirt Track Classic (scheduled this
September) will have a tough time topping last year's excitement. "We
put the no pass 'Yankee' reputation to sleep, hopefully for good,"
Mackey offers after talking about Brian Birkhofer coming from the back
of the field to win. Mackey talked about some possibilities that Keith
Simmons and Joe Hayes may put together for this year's Yankee. "I know
that there will be some format changes in the interest of the time factor."

The race fans will have plenty of opportunities to bring the whole
family for "family fun". A new mascot will be added to all events in
2003. "We are going to have concession specials each night," Mackey
said. "We are going to be bringing in a prominent NASCAR Winston Cup
Star and a car owner who will both be racing with us." Also the return
of the UMP Summernationals will be a fan favorite.

Simmons Promotions, Inc. has put together an aggressive 74 nights of
racing between Farley, West Liberty Raceway, Dubuque Speedway, and the
Davenport Speedway. This should provide plenty of opportunities for race
fans to catch a wide variety of racing from four cylinders to sprint
cars to dirt late models.

Media Contact: Bucky Doren
buck@RaceRPM.com ... http://www.RaceRPM.com
copyright 2003 by Bucky Doren Entertainment, LLC