DRO / NMM Cup Presented By AMS STAFF LEASING Points Standings (Effective 4/29/2002)

 

01	Shannon Jenkins	1,016
02	Chip King	519
03	Thomas Patterson	513*
04	Rickie Smith	508*
05	Ed Hoover	410
06	Mitch Stott	406
07	Mike Ashley	312
08	Tim McAmis	205
09	Troy Critchley	202
10	Tommy Gray Jr.	200
11	Al Billes	107
12	Bob Rieger (retired)	103
13	Cody McManama	101
14	Frankie Taylor	6

* Please note that the winner of the rain delayed final from Bristol between Rickie Smith and Thomas Patterson will earn an additional 100 points.

AMS Pro-Modified National Record Holders
(Effective 4-29-02)

RIEGER HANGS IT UP

Bob Rieger has decided to put an end to his drag racing team effective immediately. The former NMCA Pro Street champion had turned to Pro Modified racing this season. Rieger said he just wasn't having enough fun to justify the expense of a large racing operation. He and his crew are inventorying parts in his Florida shop and hope to have everything ready to sell by May 3. [4-29-2002]

KCIR STILL KICKIN' - FOR NOW

The Agent's favorite old-school midwest drag strip, Kansas City International Raceway, lives on, at least for the time being. The 30+ year-old race track has been the target of noise-weary (and property-value speculative) neighbors for years, waging an ongoing battle for its existence. The battle took a downward turn for the track in March, when the City Council of Kansas City voted to prohibit the track's operators from making any improvements or physical changes to the facility. Some of the work scheduled included a new timing tower, pavement in the pits, new concrete pads on the starting line, and repaving of the racing surface. All of the changes were deemed necessary for the track to stay in business and be able to compete with other tracks in the midwest.

But the council, despite overwhelming support from the racing community during the open hearing process, made it clear that, although allowing the track to open with a full schedule of events for the 2002 season, it sided with those who want the track to go away. One of Kansas City's most powerful families, the Kempers, were the prime movers behind this latest legal challenge to the track's right to exist. Their exact motivation is open to question, but they had exhibited no prior interest in the situation until they bought land, cheaply, within earshot of good old KCIR. And while they did not get the track shut down immediately, they have effectively made it impossible for KCIR to grow, improve, and thus be profitable enough to continue.

For now, KCIR is racing on a weekly basis and will be doing so through the end of the 2002 season. What happens after that is anybody's guess. The ownership group of KCIR has appealed the city council decision, saying the council's decision far overreaches the scope of the original complaint. That complaint dealt with the construction, without permit, of a storage shed on the race track property. A top flight (and top dollar) attorney has been hired by the track to captain a legal challenge to the council's decision, and a trial date is pending.

Even if the appeal fails, the current owner/operators of KCIR vow to remain in the drag racing business. It may be in a different location, with a new track, or as participants in an existing operation. Or it may be in some other capacity within the sport. Those who grew up with KCIR as part of their drag racing heritage are hoping for a successful appeal, and KCIR's legal team has an excellent track record, so don't fire up the backhoes just yet. Drag Racing Online will have updates, as the situation develops further. [4-29-2002]

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