ONA, WV-One of the biggest changes that was made when the 2024 schedule was released was revamping the tracks biggest event, the Mays Transfer & Contracting/Jeffers Excavating & Transportation Mountaineer 100. The traditional fall event was moved to the spring for the first time and is also seeing the Modified portion of the event sanctioned by the Midwest Modifieds Tour for the first time. Instead of the traditional 100 lap Modified race, the race will see the Midwest Modifieds Tour go 50 laps while Ona’s Haunted Majestic Street Stocks will also go 50 laps and offer the event’s second highest purse. All other Ona classes will be racing for increased purses.
For track promoter T. J. Layne, moving the race to the spring was all about fan interest. “With everything that goes on in our region in the fall, it’s been a big challenge drawing fans for the event in the fall”, stated Layne. “With it in the spring, everyone is hyped up and ready for racing action and the weather is usually much better. We are excited to build off of the enthusiasm and excitement of a great opening night last weekend and have one of the most exciting Mountaineer 100’s yet this weekend.”
The Midwest Modified Tour portion of the event will see the top Open Wheel Modified touring series in the country come to Ona. The Midwest Modifieds Tour runs at some of the best short tracks in the country and is expected to bring a good field of cars to Ona. Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Matt Dimit has won the past three Mountaineer 100’s in a row and will be looking to make it an impressive four in a row on Saturday. Dimit has never won a Midwest Modifieds Tour sanctioned race at Ona however. Bellefontaine, Ohio’s Brad Yelton and Petoskey, Michigan’s Buddy Gray are the only two Midwest Modifieds Tour winners at Ona.
Ona Speedway’s local crop of LG Pressure Washing Modifieds will want to have something to say about that though. Jeremy Cooper led the first 16 laps of last years Mountaineer 100 before suffering a mechanical failure. Andy Booten finished third the last time the Midwest Modifieds Tour came to Ona in 2022. Last week’s winner Wes Smith locked in on time with the Midwest Modifieds Tour at Bristol Motor Speedway to make the 24 car starting field out of a field of 60 cars.
The Haunted Majestic Street Stocks are sure to thrill for their 50 lap feature. Last season, Marty Powers dominated to get the Street Stock Mountaineer win. Powers was involved in a good battle for the win with longtime Ona veteran Kenny Chapman last week. Chapman has been a staple at Ona since the 1990’s and is just as fast now as he’s always been. He will be a strong contender for the big win. Ona regular’s Chris Jividen, Tommy Rowe, and Mike Christy all won races last season and will no doubt be strong contenders on Saturday. It will be interesting to see what out of town cars will end up showing up to try to get the big $800 prize.
The All Seasons Powersports Late Models are sure to attract some new cars for the biggest Late Model race of the season at Ona. Jake Keaton has dominated the Late Model division over the past several seasons, but only has one Mountaineer Late Model win to his credit in that time period. The last two Late Model Mountaineer wins have went to the Buckeye state with Don Mahaffey Jr. winning in 2022 and Chad Pendleton winning last season. Can Keaton return to Mountaineer victory lane or will a out of town driver keep the streak alive of out of town drivers winning this race.
The Contempo Trophy & Awards UCAR’s, Three Sixteen Motorsports INEX Legends Car Pro, Three Sixteen Motorsports INEX Legends Car Semi-Pro, and Brody Nash Century 21 Crown Vics will also be racing for special event races. These classes put on good shows last weekend and will no doubt have more great racing this weekend with bigger money on the line. If all goes as planned, the Crown Vics will look to have at least 4 entries on Saturday to make their much anticipated debut after only one car was ready to race for the opener.
In addition to the great racing action on Saturday, the track will also be open on Friday, April 26th for a open Test N’ Tune from 1:00-8:00 pm followed by the Mays Transfer & Contracting/Burkett Nester Race Cars Pit Party featuring a concert by The Mello Fellos. Pit passes for Friday are $25 for ages 13 and up and FREE for ages 12 and under. With no preseason Test N’ Tunes held due to weather and several cars making their debut this weekend, the speedway is expected to be busy Friday for the crucial practice session.
Saturday will see everything get underway with pit gates opening at 11:30 am and general admission gates opening at 5:00 pm. Racing will start at 6:30 pm. General admission Saturday to this jam packed show is only $20 for ages 13 and up and FREE for ages 12 and under. All access pit passes are only $40 for ages 13 and up and FREE for ages 12 and under. The Ona Speedway Family Fun Zone will once again be open for this event and all events this season. For more information visit www.onaspeedway.com.
