MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
After weather washed out two race weekends earlier this season, Salt City Racing returns to the Kansas State Fairgrounds Friday night with one of its biggest events of the year — the Bob Burkhart Memorial.
Salt City Racing promoter Phil Nightingale said the evening honors longtime racing supporter and fairgrounds worker Bob Burkhart, whose decades of dedication to the Hutchinson racing community left a lasting impact.
"Bob was a long, loyal fan, loved the fair and loved racing at the fairgrounds," Nightingale said. "We just wanted to honor him and that great family."
Tonight's racing will feature four divisions, including IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods and the Heartland Modified Tour, with Nightingale expecting more than 100 race cars to compete.
Adding to the excitement, former NASCAR driver Kenny Schrader returns to Hutchinson after winning one night of last year's event. Schrader will meet fans during an autograph session in the grandstands beginning around 5:30 p.m. before competing on the famed half-mile dirt track.
"It's going to be fun and exciting to see how he does," Nightingale said. "Let's see who can beat Kenny Schrader."
The Burkhart family has also added a unique feature to the program. The fourth- and fifth-place finishers in the IMCA Modified heat races will compete in a special three-lap dash with a $400 prize.
Several drivers, including Peyton Burkhart, Bob's grandson, and Hutchinson favorite Mike Petersilie, are expected to compete in both the IMCA Modified division and the Heartland Modified Tour race. Officials adjusted the race order to allow those drivers time to prepare their cars between events.
After weeks without racing because of the rainouts in May, Nightingale said the track is in excellent condition.
"The track looks phenomenal," he said. "We should have a great racing surface for the racers tonight."
Despite efforts to reschedule the rainouts, Nightingale said scheduling conflicts with sanctioning bodies and the Kansas State Fair prevented makeup dates. Friday's event is now one of just three remaining race nights this season before the final weekend, Aug. 21-22.
Beyond the racing, Nightingale hopes fans will help demonstrate continued support for the historic fairgrounds track.
The Kansas State Fairgrounds half-mile has hosted racing for more than a century and was once slated for removal before Salt City Racing stepped in to revive events at the facility.
"Nick and I set out to save a racetrack because this racetrack was going to get tore out," Nightingale said. "I need the fans to fill these grandstands to show the fair board that they need to keep this racetrack alive."
Pit gates open at 3 p.m., grandstand gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps begin at 6:30 p.m., opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m., and racing follows immediately afterward.
Tickets are available in advance through Salt City Racing's website or can be purchased digitally at the west gate using a QR code.