MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Salt City Racing is gearing up for its second event of the 2025 season as the “Murphy Tractor and Equipment Thunder Through the Plains” rolls into the historic Kansas State Fairgrounds this Friday night. With a strong showing expected from both late model and sprint car drivers, excitement is building across central Kansas and beyond.
“We fought the weather all week, but we pulled it off,” Phil Nightingale of Salt City Racing said in a BW Morning Show Interview of the BNB Hydraulics Kids Night opener. “The track was perfect—no water trucks needed thanks to all the rain we’d had since October. I think that’s a world record for a dirt track.”
The April 25 event saw 39 modifieds and 17 sprint cars from across the region, including Missouri, Oklahoma, and throughout Kansas. The night featured strong community support, including equipment displays from local sponsors and a large turnout for the kid-focused festivities.
Nightingale credited the help of Casey Jo Gimmel for coordinating Kids Night, calling it “a great experience for families.” Kids had the chance to meet drivers, explore race cars, and enjoy giveaways from partners like Pizza Ranch, which hosts weekly Tuesday Kids Nights that include free meals and race ticket handouts.
Looking ahead to this Friday, the “Thunder Through the Plains” will feature the United Rebel Sprint Series (URSS) 305 sprint cars alongside high-powered late model stock cars. Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps begin at 6:30, and racing starts at 7.
“These late models have monster motors and 14-inch wide tires,” Nightingale said. “They’re a blast to watch, and we’re expecting about 25 late models and 25 sprint cars. That would be a huge night for us.”
The return to the half-mile oval—made possible through a new three-year contract—has generated widespread enthusiasm from fans, racers, and sponsors alike. Nightingale noted a surge in support, including new partners like BNB Hydraulics, Superior Boiler, RCB Bank, Salt City Brewery, and Donna’s Pool and Patio, which donated a hot tub for raffle to support the race purse.
Salt City Racing’s season continues on May 23 with the IMCA season opener featuring stock cars, modifieds, and hobby stock classes, followed by the ASCS National Sprint Car Tour on May 30. That race will showcase 360-cubic-inch sprint cars in a national series making its debut at the track.
In addition to racing, fans can engage through Salt City Racing’s updated website at saltcityracingllc.com, where they can buy tickets, view results, and even enter the hot tub raffle. Tickets are $18, with kids 12 and under admitted free with a paid adult. All sales are credit card only for improved tracking and economic impact reporting.
“This track matters to the community and to the region,” Nightingale said. “So grab a neighbor, grab a friend, and come out for a great night of racing.”
Fans can also follow Salt City Racing on Facebook and use the MyRacePass (MRP) app to track drivers, view lineups, and buy tickets.