GAFFNEY, S.C. – Mid-East Promotions officials have announced the inaugural Prelude to the Finals, which will be held on Nov. 2 at South Carolina’s Cherokee Speedway.
The event, being held three days before the start of the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Nov. 7, will feature the same three classes scheduled to compete during the World Finals.
Super late model competitors will battle for a $7,500 top prize, while 410 sprint car and big-block modified drivers will race for $5,000 first-place payouts. Each feature will pay $500 to start.
“This is something we have been working on for a couple of years now,” said Jason Wells, co-promoter of the Prelude to the Finals. “We had everything ready for 2020, but like most everyone else, COVID put plans on hold. We have a great relationship with Scott and Tony at Cherokee so with that and Cherokee already having a presence on the national dirt scene, it made perfect sense to hold this event there.
“With most teams that compete at Charlotte coming to town early, it gives them a great chance to pick up a little extra money or do some testing before heading up to the World Finals, plus for the fans it’s another chance to see some racing while they’re in town.
“We’ve already had a lot of interest and really good feedback from several teams in all three divisions, so we are excited about his event and hope to make it an annual event on the schedule.”
This will be the first time 410 sprint cars have raced at Cherokee Speedway. Big-block modifieds debuted at Cherokee last season, with Stewart Friesen winning a non-point Short Track Super Series event. Super late models compete regularly at Cherokee Speedway.
The event will benefit Shriner’s Hospital for Children and will be broadcast live by SPEED SPORT TV affiliate Pit Row TV.
“We felt like hosting a Tuesday night shrine race for the super late models, 410 sprint cars and big-block modifieds would not only help us raise money for the Kings Mountain (N.C.) Shrine Club, but would also be a great chance to pick up some of the national talent already traveling to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the weekend,” said Josh Hellams, co-promoter of the Prelude to the Finals. “We are expecting local and national talent to participate on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 and we hope to raise a lot of money to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children.”
“The Prelude to the Finals is something like we have never had here before at Cherokee Speedway since we took over in 2017,” said Cherokee Speedway Co-Promoter Tony Adair. “That is saying a lot considering all the big shows Scott (Childress) and I have put on the last five years.”