DEGRAFF, Oh. -- Shady Bowl Speedway will kick off its huge 2005 schedule with a free night for fans and drivers with Wednesday nights (3/30) open practice session. The session will begin at 6pm and is open to all classes of cars that compete at the Bowl. Fans will be admitted to the pit area to allow them a close up look at all the new cars and meet their favorite driver

The fun begins for real on Saturday night April 2nd, with the first points race to be held. The popular Modifieds will headline the program, with some of the midwests finest trying to unseat young Josh Smith of Quincy as the reigning track champion. Dayton’s Don Mahaffey will be trying to repeat his track title in the late model ranks. Gary Eaton Jr. of Urbana will return in his truck, as he seeks to carry home the hardware again as the mini stock champion. The street stock title is up for grabs as last years champion Gregg Jackson is unsure of his racing plans at press time. The class has undergone some major rule changes in an effort to reduce the costs involved. The wild compacts will round out the night, with DeGraffs Jerry Ellis Jr. the man to beat after his championship run last season.

Saturday night April 9th will mark the first AMERICAN MODIFIED SERIES event of the year. This highly successful series is the brainchild of Bowl promoter Charlie Stapleton and has drawn rave reviews from fans and drivers. The following Saturday (4/16) will see the late models compete in a 50 lap feature with $1200.00 awaiting the winner. On Saturday April 23rd, the AMERICAN MODIFIED SERIES returns The Bowl will close out the month with a regular program on April 30th. Gates will open for all events at 3, with time trails at 5 and racing at 7

In another note of interest to Shady Bowl fans, the Walmart location in Bellefontaine will hold a race car show in April. Car owners who want to display their cars should call Kaleb Risner at 937-594-0435