By Jacob Hord, @OhioDirt News
“Ohio’s Finest Racing” speedplant Attica Raceway Park will roar to life for the 2021 season on Friday March 19th. The ⅓ mile oval will see a few changes to the schedule, stands, and prices, all while keeping the same, great racing program. Here’s what you’ll see and some things to look for in the 2021 season.
Outlaws x2: In addition to the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic on Tuesday July 13th, the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Cars will visit Attica earlier in the season. Friday May 21st for the Kistler Engines Classic as a part of a two race weekend in the Buckeye State. Kyle Larson won last year’s edition of the Brad Doty Classic, and will be a contender to put his name on the prestigious winners list again. This extra date will give the locals another chance to defend their home turf against the best of the best.
All Stars: Attica has consistently been a home-away-from-home for the All Star Circuit of Champions. 2021 is no different, with the All Stars making five visits throughout the season. The All Stars points season kicks off with the Core and Main Spring Nationals April 2nd and 3rd. If both of those shows get rained out, the following weekend will be used as the rain dates. Then Ohio Sprint Speedweek will get started in Attica on June 11th. We have to wait a few months for the All Stars to return, but they come back for the Attica Ambush September 3rd and 4th, with the 4th paying $10k to win. The All Stars went 0/3 against the strong northwest Ohio contingent and the invaders in Attica in 2020, with Cap Henry, Tim Shaffer, and Rico Abreu picking up wins. The All Stars are loaded with talent this year, and there should be at least 12-15 different drivers that can win each night the All Stars visit.
Changes: There are some changes coming to Attica this year in the form of new grandstands, some schedule changes, and price/purse changes. In January it was announced that seven additional rows of seating would be added to the top of the grandstands in turn one and near the flagstand. Typically, Attica’s season ends on Labor Day weekend with the All Stars Attica Ambush. Due to covid, the 2020 season was extended by a week, and that will remain the same in 2021 with season championship night being Friday, September 10th. Finally, some price and purse changes were announced in early March. General Admission seating will now be $18, a slight increase from $15 from years past. That extra money is going straight into the purse, though. The 305’s will see an increase to $750 to win and $200 to start, and the late models will now be $1,200 to win and $200 to start. In addition, the 305’s will race for $1,000 to win five times and the late models will race for $3,000 once and $2,000 thrice.
410 Preview: Last year it was the Cap Henry and Lane Racing show. The combo batted nearly .500, winning seven of fifteen features, including four straight, as well as the Ohio Speedweek opener enroute to the track championship over Chad Kemenah and Cale Conley. If they decide to chase points this year, it would be hard to bet against them to go back-to-back. As always, there are lots of names that can make waves in Attica. Cale Conley is nothing but consistent, and Trey Jacobs is knocking on the door of a huge year. Travis Philo always seems to get better as the year goes on, and if he can shake off the early season blues, he could make it interesting. Byron Reed had an off year in 2020, as did DJ Foos. Those two know how to win championships. Nate Dussel and Stuart Brubaker had some bad luck in Attica last year, but if the gremlins don’t bother them as much, they can make some noise. Cole Macedo in the Ray Brooks Racing No. 18 could find himself in victory lane, and keep an eye on 410 rookie Kyle Capodice. A graduate of the 305 ranks, he’s visited the horse track multiple times and knows how to get it done.
Late Model Preview: Admittedly, I don’t know a lot about the late models. I do know that anyone can win on any given night. Devin Shiels was consistent enough last year to claim the championship. Ryan Markham, Doug Drown, Matt Irey, and Ryan Missler will be fun to watch, in addition to Shiels. It’s not surprising to see Michigan locals come down early in the season as well. Rusty Schlenk is always fast at the ⅓ mile oval as well and can throw a wrench into things when he shows up. It will come down to who can be the most consistent when the invaders come to town.
305 Preview: Paul Weaver proved he still has what it takes to be the best 305 driver in the region and maybe even the country in 2020. Weaver collected seven of his fifteen total wins in 2020 at Attica. Weaver put up the incredible stat that he was off the podium once in 12 features in Attica. I expect more of the same in 2021. There are few that are as consistent as Weaver. Jamie Miller should find himself in victory lane as well. Seth Schneider has improved every year and can win as well. Mike Keegan is on the doorstep of his first 305 win, so don’t be surprised if he ends up taking his first checkered flag.
2020 Stats:
Track Champions:
Cap Henry (410)
Devin Shiels (Late Model)
Paul Weaver (305)
Wins:
410:Cap Henry (7), Tim Shaffer (2), Stuart Brubaker (1), Rico Abreu (1), Kyle Larson (1), Craig Mintz (1), Buddy Kofoid (1), Travis Philo (1).
Late Model: Devin Shiels (3), Matt Miller (2), Matt Irey (2), Rusty Schlenk (1), Mike Bores (1), Logan Arntz (1), Ryan Markham (1).
305: Paul Weaver (7), Jamie Miller (3), Seth Schneider (1), Kyle Capodice (1).
Stats from OhioDirtTrackStats.com