To many casual observers, the intricacies of dirt track stock car racing are a complete mystery. Class differentiations can be confusing, and little to no understanding exists as to the mechanical distinctions between cars. In advance of this weekend’s races, held July 19 and July 20 at Fairgrounds Speedway, here is a crash course on racecars.
This weekend, the following five types of cars will be circling the track at Fairgrounds Motor Speedway: Sport compacts, hobby-stocks, stocks, sport-mods, and modifieds.
The sport-compact class presents an entry-level option for individuals hoping to get involved in racing. Sporting 3 or 4 cylinder in-line engines, sport-compact vehicles must have a stock body and a stock suspension. The only difference between a sport compact vehicle and a vehicle that seen on a daily basis is the roll bar.
“Anyone looking to get into racing can pretty much find a car that runs at the local junk yard, put a roll cage in it and go racing,” explained veteran driver and engine builder Tony Hill. “[Sport-compacts] can be put together for $1,000 or less. They are very affordable.”
Following the sport-compact class, hobby-stocks will take to the track. Hobby-stocks are built with engines that produce roughly 300 horsepower. Very few alterations are made to the stock frame and suspension, meaning that racers can generally build competitive cars for around $3,500.
While similar in appearance to hobby-stocks, cars in the stock class are somewhat different. Containing bigger engines that produce roughly 360 horsepower, stock cars generally contain power-glide automatic transmissions. While an entry-level stock car can be purchased for around $6,500, competitive stock cars can cost upwards of $15,000.
Cars in the sport-mod class look nothing like what is seen on public roads. Using an engine that produces roughly 300 horsepower, sport-mods utilize automatic power-glide transmissions and are built on metric frames. Sport-mods generally cost between $6,500 and $12,000.
The final and most powerful class of race car is the modified class. Powered by engines that produce about 580 horsepower, most modifieds run on methanol rather than gasoline cost between $15,000 and $50,000.
Regardless of the sort of car that is racing, dirt track racing at Fairgrounds Speedway never disappoints. Be sure to catch the action this Friday and Saturday night beginning at dusk.