Postponed by bad weather earlier this season, Belle-Clair Speedway hopes Mother Nature will cooperate Friday for the "Dandy" Don Klein Night featuring the "Next Gen 40" presented by Valvoline.
The track is honoring Klein, the highly successful veteran driver who is retiring after this season. Klein's restored cars will be on display and he will be available for autographs.
The Next Gen 40 is a $1,500 to win Super Late Model feature race. Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7.
On Saturday, Belle-Clair will play host to AMA-sanctioned Motorcycle and ATV short-track races.
Highland Speedway
Highland Speedway crowned its 2012 track champions last Saturday and while Chad Zobrist ran second behind Michael Kloos in the UMP Late Model feature, he finished the night with his fourth straight track championship.
Chad Sellers won the UMP Modified track title, with Brian Bielong winning last Saturday's Modified feature.
Bobby Martintoni was the UMP Pro Late Model season champ and Saturday's feature winner was Daniel Heck.
Highland Speedway will help celebrate the city's 175th Jubilee on Saturday by featuring Gateway Vintage Cars, Kidz Modz and quarter-midgets. Adults and children are encouraged to attend.
Tri-City Speedway
Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach is hosting its "Takin It To The Streets" event featuring a $3,000 to win feature for street stocks Friday.
The night includes UMP Modifieds, UMP Crate Late Models, UMP Factory Stocks and vintage cars also running.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
The AARA Fall Sportsman Nationals featuring UMP/AARA Sportsman, Factory Stocks, Pro 4 Stocks, UMP Late Models and UMP Modifieds is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Pevely, Mo., track.
Several drivers will be driving vintage cars as part of the program.
POWRi Midget racing
Belleville's Brett Anderson trails Andrew Felker by 220 points going into the next-to-last event of the season in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series on Saturday at Macon Speedway.
Anderson needs to win at Macon and in the season-concluding Oct. 6 event at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville to have a chance to overtake Felker, who has a one-race advantage in the points.
Anderson, 27, has had an outstanding season with two wins, seven more top-fives, three more top-10s and has driven in the feature in all 19 events he's entered. Anderson, the 2008 POWRi National Midget champion, missed five events at midseason because of illness.
"We'd be right in there close for the championship if we hadn't missed those," Anderson said.
Anderson, fourth on the all-time list for POWRi Midget race wins with 12, is driving in his final season for father Keith Anderson's team.
"My dad is retiring from racing to spend more time with the family and I'm going to be on my own next season," Anderson said. "Hopefully, I can find some rides or even a full season. It would be very nice to go out looking good and, hopefully, finish off the year with the championship.
"I've been in talks with a couple of people about next year, but nothing is set in stone."
The local auto racing notebook is compiled from area track websites and racing enthusiasts.
