Richmond, KY(April 9, 2016) Richmond Raceway co-promoters Larry, Chad, and Sarah Yantz are hoping the third time will be the charm in getting the 50th anniversary 2016 racing season underway at the 3/10 mile semi-banked clay oval known as “The Beast of the East” after unseasonably cold weather cancelled the first two nights of the season, but the track is set to open with a bang now as Late Models will race for $4,000 to win in the 2nd Annual Spring Shootout on Saturday April 16 for the first-year Ultimate Battle of the Bluegrass Series.

The Ultimate sanctioning group has revived the former Battle of the Bluegrass Series, which last saw operation in 2009 and it will mark the first time that an event at Richmond Raceway has been held under the auspices of the Battle of the Bluegrass Series name since July 2009. 

Richmond Raceway will kick off its 50th season of dirt track racing entertainment with the track’s 2nd Annual Spring Shootout for the Ultimate Battle of the Bluegrass Series on Saturday April 16 and will feature Late Models in a full program of practice, group time trials, qualifying heats, B-Mains, and the 40 lap, $4,000 to win/$400 to start 2nd Annual Spring Shootout A-Main.  Joining the Ultimate Battle of the Bluegrass Series for the 2nd Annual Spring Shootout on Saturday April 16 will be the track’s Phantom Racing Gear Modifieds (20 laps/$1,000 to win/$100 to start), AR Bodies KDRA Super Stocks (15 laps/$750 to win/$75 to start), and Four Cylinders (12 laps/$500 to win/$50 to start), while the Warlock Race Cars Mini-Cup/Cyclones will not be in competition.  The Late Model division will use standard time trials to determine heat race starting positions, while the Modified, KDRA Super Stocks, and Four Cylinder divisions will utilize the practice/time trials combo format to determine heat race starting positions.  Transponders are used for timing/scoring purposes (can be rented at the track) and RACEceivers are also mandatory in all divisions.  Of note, the pit area for this event will open ONE HOUR EARLIER at 2:00 p.m. and all competitors are urged to be at the track as early as possible to take care of the first race of the season paperwork and to be signed in by 5:30 p.m.  In addition, drivers in the Late Model division utilizing a Crate engine package for their race car are eligible for bonus money, as the top finishing Crate powered Late Model will get an additional $100, with the second highest Crate finisher receiving an additional $75, and the third highest Crate finisher will receive an additional $50. 

The Ultimate Battle of the Bluegrass Series will utilize the following tire rules for Late Models for this event:  Hoosier- 1300, 1350, 1600, UMP40; American Racer- SD44 or MD 56 (no ARTS 56), plus both can utilize the right rear 70 option if they choose to do so.  The following is the engine type, weight, and spoiler size rules for the Ultimate Battle of the Bluegrass Series:  GM 602 or 604- 2,200 lbs. /12 inch spoiler; SAS or SUPR SPEC- 2,300 lbs. /12 inch spoiler; GM CT525- 2,300 lbs. /12 inch spoiler; NLMS (358 cu in)- 2,200 lbs. /12 inch spoiler; Steel block, steel head (365 cu in)- 2,200 lbs. / 8 inch spoiler; Steel block, aluminum head (365 cu in)- 2,250 lbs. / 8 inch spoiler- Open engines 2300 lbs. / 8 inch spoiler.  There is a one pound per lap burnoff rule as well.  Entry fee for Late Model competitors for this event is $105. 

Activities for the 2nd Annual Spring Shootout for the Ultimate Battle of the Bluegrass Series at Richmond Raceway on Saturday April 16 will see the pit area open ONE HOUR EARLIER at 2:00 p.m. and the general admission area open at 4:30 p.m.  The drivers meeting will begin at 5:45 p.m., with practice set to begin at 6:15 p.m.  Late Model time trials will begin at 7:00 p.m. and racing will take the green flag at 7:30 p.m.  All times listed are EDT.  Ticket prices for the 2nd Annual Spring Shootout at Richmond Raceway on Saturday April 16 in the general admission area will be $20 for adults, with children ages 12 and under admitted FREE.  A pit pass will be $35, children ages 6 to 12 will be $15, and children ages 5 and under are FREE.

The Spring Shootout debuted on the Richmond Raceway schedule as an unsanctioned event in 2015 and Greg Johnson of Bedford, IN would score the win in the contest, while Victor Lee would secure runner-up honors after a race-long battle with Dustin Linville, who would finish third, while Stephen Breeding and Brad Neat would complete the top five finishers.

Richmond Raceway’s 2nd Annual Spring Shootout A-Main Payouts for April 16, 2016:
-Ultimate Battle of the Bluegrass Late Models (40 laps):  1st- $4,000, 2nd- $2,000, 3rd- $1,350, 4th- $1,000, 5th- $875, 6th- $775, 7th- $700, 8th- $600, 9th- $500, 10th- $450, 11th- $425, 12th- $400, 13th- $400, 14th- $400, 15th- $400, 16th- $400, 17th- $400, 18th- $400, 19th- $400, 20th- $400, 21st- $400, 22nd- $400, 23rd- $400, 24th- $400 (Note- The three highest finishers drivers that utilize a Crate engine powered car will be eligible for bonuses.  The highest finishing driver using a Crate engine will receive a $100 bonus, second highest finishing driver using a Crate engine will receive a $75 bonus, and the third highest finishing driver using a Crate engine will receive a $50 bonus) -Phantom Racing Gear Modifieds (20 laps):  1st- $1,000, 2nd- $500, 3rd- $300, 4th- $200, 5th- $175, 6th- $150, 7th- $140, 8th- $130, 9th- $120, 10th- $115, 11th- $110, 12th- $105, 13th- $100, 14th- $100, 15th- $100, 16th- $100, 17th- $100, 18th- $100 -AR Bodies KDRA Super Stocks (15 laps):  1st- $750, 2nd- $400, 3rd- $250, 4th- $175, 5th- $150, 6th- $125, 7th- $110, 8th- $100, 9th- $95, 10th- $90, 11th- $85, 12th- $80, 13th- $75, 14th- $75, 15th- $75, 16th- $75, 17th- $75, 18th- $75 -Stock Four Cylinders (12 laps):  1st- $500, 2nd- $250, 3rd- $150, 4th- $125, 5th- $100, 6th- $90, 7th- $80, 8th- $75, 9th- $70, 10th- $65, 11th- $60, 12th- $55, 13th- $50, 14th- $50, 15th- $50, 16th- $50, 17th- $50, 18th- $50