A star-studded roster has descended upon central Wisconsin on Tuesday for the 37th Annual Superseal Slinger Nationals.
Headlined by NASCAR notables Matt Kenseth and Erik Jones, many of the elite names in asphalt Super Late Model racing are hoping to join a list of winners that includes Joe Shear, Johnny Ziegler, Alan Kulwicki, Rich Bickle, Kyle Busch, Conrad Morgan and the legendary Dick Trickle.
The list of historic contenders is just as stout and includes Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip and Mark Martin. In other words, Slinger is a marquee event that draws curiosity from all four corners of North America.
This is where Short Track Scene would have devoted lengthy space to cover the event both before and after the drop of the checkered flag. However, the track denied us credentials to do so. It was expressed second-hand that our reporters’ practice of tweeting updates for fans unable to attend would not be tolerated so the track outright ignored STS’ request.
Short Track Scene remains dedicated to telling the honest stories of short track competitors and promoters during a time of renewed growth and interest in the discipline. It was a great disappointment that this coverage will not extend to the Slinger Nationals.
The website will maintain a presence in the industry this weekend with coverage of Late Model Stock events in the Carolinas and Virginias. Short Track Scene will also be on-site at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indiana for the Champion Racing Association and at Five Flags Speedway for the Southern Super Series.
Thank you for your support and interest in the most exciting motorsports product in the world. The fans are the reasons we do this.
Can’t wait for the Nationals tmrw night @SlingerSpeedway. Best field in years. Know what would make it better? Coverage by @MattWeaverSBN.
— Kulwicki DDP (@KulwickiDDP) July 19, 2016
@MattWeaverSBN I will pay for you a ticket come on up.
— Bubba Pollard (@bubbapollard26) July 19, 2016
The decision by @SlingerSpeedway to deny @MattWeaverSBN makes no sense at all. Guys like him promote the sport better than most tracks
— Michael B (@flash3917) July 19, 2016
@MattWeaverSBN @SlingerSpeedway Someone like Matt helps attract new fans to racing they wouldn’t normally follow … They need to reconsider
— Nick DeGroot (@ndegroot89) July 19, 2016
@MattWeaverSBN – I’ll sponsor the purchase of your pit pass. I can’t attend and want the updates. DM me.
— Chris Blair (@ChrisBlair4B) July 19, 2016
Matt Weaver is the owner and founder of Short Track Scene. Weaver grew up in the sport, having raced himself before becoming a reporter in college at the University of South Alabama. He also has extensive experience covering NASCAR, IndyCar and Dirt Sprint Cars.