By Kasey Kreider
The 2021 season of racing at the Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway proved to be one of the most exciting and enthralling in the track’s history. The excitement factor promises to only grow larger for the 65th season of racing under the Lanco Micro Midget Club banner, as full-time Wingless 600 racing highlights the schedule changes for the 27-race calendar in 2022.
The season kicks off a little differently in 2022, as pre-season inspection will now take place on the same day as the season-opening No Wing Spring Fling on Saturday, April 2nd. Inspection and members only practice will take place prior to the 6th edition of the event, which will feature the Hyper Racing EVO Fuel Injection Wingless 600s, Wingless 270s, and Wingless 125/4 Strokes. Saturday, April 9th will then serve as the first points race of the season, where for the first time ever, the Wingless 600s will join the Winged 600s, 270s, Skeet Craft Collision Sportsmans, and 125/4 Strokes as part of the weekly lineup for all points-paying shows. All points-paying races in 2022 will feature a structured class rotation, where both 600 classes and the 270 division will rotate through the 1, 3, and 5 spots, while the Sportsmans and 125/4 Strokes will rotate through the 2 and 4 spots during the season. The order of classes for the opening points night will be the 270s, 125/4 Strokes, Winged 600s, Sportsmans, and Wingless 600s.
After eight straight points races, the Clyde will fall quiet on Saturday, June 4th for the only off week of the season. It will then roar back to life on Saturday, June 11th, beginning a three-race stretch prior to the annual 4th of July Sunday Funday event, which will take place on Sunday, July 3rd and feature the Hyper Racing EVO Fuel Injection Wingless 600s, Winged 270s, the first ever Wingless Skeet Craft Collision Sportsman race, and an outside class to be determined.
Points racing picks up for two more weeks before Hyper Racing 600 Speedweek makes its return to the Clyde on Friday and Saturday, July 22nd-23rd, kicking off an epic three-week stretch of racing. Preliminary night will open things up on Friday, July 22nd, with the winner guaranteed to take home at least $1,000. The finale night will then follow on Saturday, July 23rd, culminating with the A-Main which will pay no less than $5,000 to win. The Speedweek champion will also be crowned at the conclusion of the finale. If necessary, a rain date is set for Sunday, July 24th should inclement weather be an issue on either day.
Saturday, July 30th will feature the grandaddy of them all, the Clyde Martin Memorial for all five points-paying classes. The annual members only event will include 35-lap features, with both Hyper Racing EVO Fuel Injection 600 features paying $1,500 to win courtesy of Kenny Groff and Groff Motorsports. The 270, Skeet Craft Collision Sportsman, and 125/4 Stroke features will all pay an even $1,000 to win. In addition, double points will be awarded to all competitors. Saturday, August 6th will then feature something new at the Clyde for 2022, as a one-of-a-kind 270 Showcase event will take place, presented by T. J.’s Guns and Ammo. The event will feature two 20-lap preliminary features that will help set the lineup for the 40-lap 270 Showcase main event. The event will also feature Wingless 125/4 Strokes and an outside division to be determined to complete the show.
Points racing will return for the remainder of August prior to the biggest racing weekend of the year, the Labor Day Shootout. The annual cornhole tournament will kick the weekend off on Friday, September 2nd. Racing then begins on Saturday, September 3rd with the winged portion of the Shootout, featuring the Hyper Racing EVO Fuel Injection Winged 600s, Winged 270s, Winged Skeet Craft Collision Sportsmans, and Winged 125/4 Strokes. The wings then come off on Sunday, September 4th, as the Hyper Racing EVO Fuel Injection Wingless 600s, Wingless 270s, Wingless 125/4 Strokes, and an outside division to be determined all take their swings at winning Lanco’s biggest open show of the season. A rain date is scheduled for Monday, September 5th should it be needed for either day of racing.
After the Shootout comes the final sprint to the championship, as the points-paying season will close with First Responders Night on Saturday, September 10th, followed by Championship Night on Saturday, September 17th, where all five points champions will be crowned. The season will conclude with Halloween/Trick or Treat Night on Saturday, September 24th, which will be a non-points show for all five weekly divisions plus the Stage 1 Modifieds, which will make their return to the Clyde following a wildly successful debut in 2021. Should racing be cancelled on September 17th due to inclement weather, Halloween/Trick or Treat Night will become the points-paying finale instead.
As we’re now roughly two and a half months away from the start of the season, membership applications are now available for the upcoming year. To view the full details on applying for membership for the 2022 season, visit the Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway website, www.clydemartinspeedway.com, and click on 2022 Membership Information. To view the full 2022 schedule as it currently stands, visit the Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway website and click on the Schedule tab. The new year means that we’re all that much closer to once again being able to come out and LIVE the excitement that is Lanco!