INVERNESS, Fla. — Rick Holley will be competing in the March 2 Children’s Dream Fund 50 at Citrus County Speedway.
Holley will be representing the Must See Sprint Series Presented by Perfit in the co-sanctioned event with the BG Products Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series.
The Nelsonville, Ohio native, who now calls Rochester, Pa. home, will be participating in Florida for the first time in many years. Holley is called “Smoke Show” due to his on the edge driving style, particularly when he qualifies.
Often, smoke can be seen pouring from his right rear tire as he puts it to the test. His driving style may be unorthodox by pavement sprint car standards, but it’s effective. Last year, he was fast qualifier at Must See Racing events on two occasions at Michigan’s Owosso Speedway. In fact, his second time there he eclipsed the all-time track record.
Holley won’t be the only smoke show artist in town for this event. Canadian Aaron Willison, who has a similar qualifying style will also be participating. When it was brought to Holley’s attention Willison will be in attendance, he joked he might have to up his game.
“Maybe we’ll bring some special tires with different colored smoke in them,” laughed Holley.
“When I first heard the announcement of the Children’s Dream Fund 50 I told myself I wanted to run this event. It was just the right time. It was also time for a vacation. I think we have a car that can compete down there. That’s what pushed it over the edge.”
Holley admitted he isn’t too familiar with Citrus County Speedway but has been doing his homework.
“I’ve been watching a few videos of past races there this week. I like the look of the track. It’s kinda short, but I like the look of the banking,” Holley said. “It looks like a racy little place. Without being there in person, I hate to say it, but it reminds me of Owosso Speedway a little bit.”
If Holley indeed has plans of battling it out for the $10,000 first prize, he must bring his A-game. The entry list is currently well over 30 cars and is stacked with some of the best winged pavement sprint car drivers from all over the country.
“I think we’ve got just as good of a shot as anybody who’s never been to the track. It’s all gonna be how quickly we can get acclimated to the track and get a good qualifying time. I’m confident I can stack myself up as a driver against these guys,” Holley said.
“It’s just a matter of equipment and luck, I guess. I think if we can be competitive, and run in the top five with these guys, we’d be happy with that.”