Speedway to get down and dirty

MANATEE COUNTY — Look out, race fans. The East County’s only race track is about to get a little messy. The Desoto Super Speedway is slicking up its property for a mud-filled weekend of fun.

From July 30 to Aug. 1, the speedway will host Mud n Music, a first-time event that will feature mudding, mud drag racing, live music by the band Boss Hawg and other festivities. Passes cost $25 per day or $35 for the weekend, and children ages 12 and under get in for free.

“We’ve laid down muck, and we had tons and tons and tons of mud and dirt and muck brought in,” Speedway spokesman Tom Blakeley said. “We dug a huge hole on the front 28 acres. We will have more than nine acres of mudding and wet areas.”

Fans can even bring their ATVs to go mudding, and camping will be available in the speedway’s parking lot.

“I think it will be a lot of fun,” Blakeley said. “We’re trying to make it as family-oriented as we can by making the kids get in free. (Families) can just come out for the weekend. There will be a lot of fan participation.”

Also on site will be the 106.5 CTQ radio event truck, girls from Hooters restaurant, a 4,000-square-foot tent and the Budweiser trucks.

Mud drag races will be held Saturday night in the infield of the regular circle track, Blakeley said. A tug-of-war event also will be held that evening.

“It’s just like a human tug-of-war, but with trucks,” Blakely said of the contest. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Cash payouts will be offered in the tug of war and burnout competitions, among others.

Blakeley said the Speedway is trying out the concept at the request of some its regular drivers and car owners, and the track now hopes to offer Mud n Music three times a year, although other events have not yet been planned.

“We decided to try it, and we’re going to see how it goes,” he said.

Showers will be available for participating vehicles so they can be cleaned off before leaving the premises, Blakeley said.

For information about Desoto Super Speedway or the event, visit the track’s website at www.desotosuperspeedway.com.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Mud n Music
WHEN: 5 p.m., July 30; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 31; and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Aug. 1
WHERE: Desoto Super Speedway, 21000A S.R. 64
DETAILS: Mud drag racing, tug of war, live music and more.
COST: $25 for day pass or $35 for weekend pass; children 12 and under are free
INFORMATION: 748-3171
WEBSITE: www.desotosuperspeedway.com