WHEELERSBURG, Ohio -- The legendary Southern Ohio Speedway is back. After not running a full season since 2003, the famed 4/10ths mile speedway is set to re-open this Friday, July 15th with the “Southern Showdown” featuring the ADRA Late Models-$3,000 to win, Modifieds-$3,000 to win, and Bombers-$400 to win.

Wheelersburg’s Rod Conley leads the ADRA Late Model Series point standings heading into Friday’s series event. His father, Delmas Conley, was the winner of the last $3,000 to win Late Model race held at SOS in September of 2003. A strong field of Late Models is expected to be in attendance on Friday to do battle for a near $11,000 purse.

Many of the nation’s top Modified drivers are expected to be in attendance for the Modified portion of the Southern Showdown. With $3,000 to win at SOS on Friday and $5,000 to win at the nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park on Saturday, a potential $8,000 is on the line. The top 20 Modified drivers who do not make the 30 lap feature on Friday will get to compete in a 12 lap, $400 to win non-qualifiers race. That means that 40 Modified drivers will get to compete in a feature event and take home feature money.

In addition to the great racing action, fans will also get to see the many improvements made to the facility by the H&L Motorsports crew. New bleachers have been installed, banking has been added to turns 3 and 4, a new guardrail and catch fence is up in turns 3 and 4, the outside pit area has been enlarged, new clay has been hauled on the track surface, and everything has been painted and clean cut.

Gates will open at 4:00 pm on Friday with hot laps starting the nights action at 7:00 pm. General admission is $15 (ages 17+), $5 (ages 13-16), $2 (ages 7-12) and free for kids 6 and under. Pit passes are $30. SOS offers nice grandstand seating along with areas for lawn chairs. For more information please visit www.southernohiospeedway.com.