Grassroots Championships set for North Central Speedway

Entry level racing at its best will take place this weekend at North Central Speedway.

The first Grassroots World Championships, presented by Waste Management, will crown champions in three classes starting Thursday night.

Pure Stocks, Hornets, and Short Tracker/Hobby Stock type cars from the Upper Midwest will converge on the one-third mile speedway five miles south of Brainerd on Business Highway 371.

Action Thursday, Friday and Saturday will begin at 6:45 p.m.

All three classes of entry level racers will compete Thursday for the bottom eight rows for the Saturday night feature. Drivers will return Friday night to attempt to lock themselves in for the top eight rows of Saturday's World Championship finale.

The feature winner in each class Saturday will draw four numbers out of a hat with drivers having an equal chance to win the extra $1,000 divided between the four drawn numbers.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. each day and the grandstand will open at 5 p.m.

A Web site has been set up at www.grassrootsworldchampionships.com for more event information.

Also racing this weekend will be the first visit by the high-powered USMTS Modifieds, racing in the "Hunt" for the Casey's General Stores National Championship.

Open practice for the USMTS cars will take place Thursday night following heat race action for the Grassroots World Championships.

Free camping and showers will be available all weekend.