By KEN SHMIDHEISER, Editor
Burnside — The checkered flag will fly again at Lake Cumberland Speedway this Saturday as racing resumes following the recent death of the track’s owner, Harold Hardgrove.
“We would like to thank all the drivers who showed up for last Sunday’s visitation for my father. We also want to thank all who were at racetrack to follow Harold for his final lap around the track. Thanks to everyone who visited in honor of his memory,” said Brandon Hardgrove who, following in the steps of his late father, is assuming management of Lake Cumberland Speedway.
This Saturday, Sept. 5, races will be the make-up day for the final weekend of the track’s August Special for Late Models sponsored by John Mulligan which had been postponed due to the senior Hardgrove’s passing.
“We will be open this weekend, but we will be closed Sept. 12 due to the World 100 in Rossberg, Ohio. We will resume racing here the following Saturday, Sept. 19, and will race each weekend thereafter as long as the weather permits,” Brandon Hardgrove told The Commonwealth Journal. “On race night this Saturday, three drivers will each get an extra $500, plus fast time gets $100 thanks to the sponsorship of Sidney Sprague.”
Dirt-track racing runs deep in Hardgrove family. Harold Hardgrove raced through the 1980’s and 1990’s in his beloved No. H22. He purchased the Speedway shortly after hanging up his helmet in the fall of 1997. The senior Hardgrove brought back the popular Lake Cumberland Classic event beginning in 1998.
Like his father, Brandon still races No. H22 — a dirt late model — weekly at the Speedway.
“This Saturday we will be running a full schedule of races including Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds, Super Dirt Stocks, Chevettes and Front Wheel Drives,” Brandon said. “Our gates will open at 4:00 p.m., and hot laps will begin at 7:00 p.m.”
Lake Cumberland Speedway is located approximately eight miles south of Somerset, and a half mile south of Burnside Island State Park, on the east side of U.S. 27.
The track offers:
• A full concession stand and restrooms located behind the grandstands and in the pits.
• Unlimited parking area for race fans in he grandstands.
• Large pit area for parking, with designated overflow area for larger events.
• EMS and firefighters on scene during the entire event courtesy of the Tateville Fire Department.
For more information contact the track phone at 606-561-8994, or 606-678-8628.
Lake Cumberland Speedway’s website is located at: lcspeedway.net
Following are Lake Cumberland Speedway’s current drivers’ Points Standings:
Late Models
1 Brandon Hardgrove — 545
2 Tim Taylor — 428
3 Mark Walters — 399
4 Larry gray — 398
5 Tim Patrick — 342
6 Steve Elliott — 334
7 Dennis Barton — 332
8 Joe Patrick — 329
9 Tommy Bailey — 279
10 Jerry Fuson — 278
Open Wheels
1 Tommy Gregory — 648
2 Steve Beck — 476
3 JJ patterson — 464
4 Ben Petrey — 427
5 Roger Erikson — 423
6 Kevin Mounce — 372
7 Tim Patrick — 263
8 Skylar Marlar — 254
9 Valis Smedley — 228
10 Jeff Rawlins — 219
Superdirt/Roadhogs
1 Keith Decker — 527
2 Goble Bertram — 440
3 Jesse James — 396
4 Virgil Parriman — 371
5 Tommy Hargis — 328
6 Roger Dell — 276
7 Lester Decker — 218
8 Tommy Craig — 215
9 Jesse merritt — 181
10 Joe Jones — 165
Front Wheels
1 Johnnie Adams — 577
2 Janet Beck — 547
3 Tim McMullin — 509
4 Jake Duncan — 339
5 Felicia Patterson — 334
6 Dustin Duncan — 240
7 Markus Perry — 224
8 Chris Burton — 215
9 James Higginbotham — 205
10 Cameron Marlar — 175
Chevette’s
(Chevette points are on hold for tech. reasons and will be posted next week)
