ENID —



Racing will return to Garfield County Fairgrounds Sunday as the Enid Speedway re-opens with the Summer Nationals.

 The gates will open at 5 p.m. with the first green flag waving at 6 p.m.  Tickets will be on sale at the Grandstands Sunday only. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

The local track closed early in May after only four race nights due to a waning car and fan count.  Refusing to see the historic facility die like others in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Ed Beckley, an award-winning promoter, seized the challenge of breathing life back into Enid Speedway.

Sunday’s event will determine the future of the track, Beckley said.

“This first race is the test,” said Beckley. “Hope to see a bunch of race cars and people there … big turnout and we shall have another race.  It is economics, people.  We need race cars and race fans or this place will be another parking lot.”

Beckley said the races will start promptly at 6 p.m. and end by 9.  This should enable drivers from Oklahoma, southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle to race and still get home in time to prepare work on Monday.

The O’Reilly-sponsored NCRA Southern Sports modified series will make their inaugural visit to Enid to headline the event. 

Series regulars including Todd Decker, Ross McCartney, Kevin Snow, Landon Maddox, Travis Johnson, Tommy Bohnstedt and Greg Deterding will return to battle on their hometown track.

 Modifieds, street stocks, factory stocks, and pure stocks will run a complete show along with a special late model invitational. Launching of the new Enid bomber division will round out the event.

The bomber class may be just the ticket to save local stock car racing, according to local performance engine builder Gary Dunsworth.

“The bomber class is a fun, affordable way to get cars and people racing again,” said Dunsworth. “It will take time, but this will get Enid turned around faster than anything. It will give people a place for their old car to go out in style before it goes to the grave yard.”

To see bomber rules, event flyers and pay schedules, drivers and fans can access Enid Speedway’s facebook site.

Beckley has been working past few months preparing for the grand re-opening and is optimistic about the program.

“It’s official, we are ready to race on Sunday at 6 p.m,” said Beckley. “You will see some new and old faces working at the track.  We are ready to work together to make this an awesome race.  We want all of you race car drivers and fans to help us by having a positive attitude.”

Beckley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the venture. In addition to promoting both Dodge City, Kan., Raceway Park and Liberal, Kan., Fairgrounds Speedway,  he is the owner/operator of Checkered Flag Productions which features Monster Trucks, demolition derby, mud racing, arena cross and pulling venues from coast to coast.

Beckley recently was named the 2009 World of Outlaws Promoter of the Year during the series awards banquet in Concord, North N.C.