The 2021 editions of Speedweeks, Winternationals, the DIRTCar Nationals, and Winter Dirt Games are right around the corner.
The 2021 editions of Speedweeks, Winternationals, DIRTCar Nationals, and Winter Dirt Games are right around the corner. As usual, many different racing organizations will be running in Florida from Jan. 16 through Feb. 20.
The Top Gun Sprint Series, USCS sprints, All Star Circuit of Champions, USAC sprint cars and midgets, World of Outlaws and Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series are all racing in that five-week period.
As of this writing, the state of Florida doesn‘t have any major restrictions on gatherings so, unless there are some major changes, these shows should all take place. I‘m expecting a lighter crowd turnout, though, but most will be streamed live right to your living room.
The Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series kick the five weeks off with pavement racing on Jan. 16 at 417 Southern Speedway in Punta Gorda. They also return to the Punta Gorda track on Feb. 13.
Next up, the All Stars make a stop on their way to Florida at Screven, Ga., on Jan. 29-30 to start their season. After a Sunday off for travel, they are at East Bay Raceway Park on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 1-2.
The Screven and East Bay shows may draw a few World of Outlaws drivers since their season won‘t have started yet. The All Stars then travel over to Volusia Speedway Park in Barberton to kick off the DIRTCar Nationals on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 3-4.
That weekend is a crowded one, with the Top Gun Sprints at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton on Feb. 4-6. The DIRTCar Nationals continue at Volusia with the season opener for the World of Outlaws Feb. 5-7. The same weekend, the USAC midgets start the Winter Dirt Games XII at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala on Feb. 5-6. Also, USCS starts their 25th anniversary year down in Clewiston at Hendry County Speedway Feb. 5-6.
That is one busy weekend with four different tracks all running different open-wheel series.
To make things even more interesting, the 55th Super Bowl is in Tampa on Sunday, Feb. 7. Florida will be the place to be that weekend.
Rolling into the next weekend, the USAC sprints are at Bubba Raceway Park Feb. 11-13. The Ronald Laney Memorial 360 Winternationals are at East Bay Raceway Park Feb. 11-13. Plus, the Punta Gorda race for Southern Sprint Car Shootout is on Feb. 13.
NASCAR’s Daytona 500 is also the same weekend.
Florida’s winter racing action then ends on Feb. 19-20 at Southern Raceway up in Milton with the USCS. That makes a total of 26 events for fans to attend in 15 nights at seven different tracks spanning all the way from Sylvania, Ga., to Clewiston, Fla., which are 411 miles apart.
It‘s always interesting to see how many, or which, drivers will try to run every night possible, whether it’s with a 360, 410, winged car, non-winged car, sprint car or midget. There are always a few who run whatever and whenever possible.
Hopefully the weather cooperates this year and COVID-19 restrictions don‘t mess with the schedule.
Between DIRTVision, SPEED SPORT TV and other streaming outlets, everyone at home should have lots of racing to watch with a host of different drivers and series and quite a few different tracks to enjoy.