Story By: TIM BALTZ / MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY – HOGANSBURG, NY – The much-anticipated 2020 campaign at the Mohawk International Raceway was set to roll with a big card of 6 divisions competing on a weekly basis.
However due to a global pandemic, the speedway, much like many last year, did not see a lap of competitive racing and the MIR grandstands never saw fans, for the first time in its history.
In 2021 however, the gates will open, but for the first time in track history, the DIRTCar 358 Modified division will be placed on hold.
The 358 Modified division provides some of the best racing of the year with quality drivers in the field every week and drivers from both the United States and Canada showcasing their talents on Friday night. Recent restrictions of non-essential travel have prevented drivers, fans and race teams from being able to attend the speedway weekly and also decreasing the headline division’s field by well over 50%.
For the time being track management have placed the division on hold until US/Canada border restrictions are lifted.
The 2021 Mohawk International Raceway schedule is set and ready to roll with five classes of weekly racing filling the card beginning May 15th with a test and tune session from noon until 4pm. Opening day for the new season is set for May 21st which will see the DIRTCar Sportsman division headline the night along with Novice Sportsman, Mod Lite, the debut of the Super Stock division and Bandits plus special Slick Track Enduro qualifiers throughout the season.
Several major events are also set to take to the MIR racing surface including the popular MIR Sportsman Series which will see four events on May. 28th, July 2nd, September 3rd and finish with the annual Pete Mitchell Memorial 54 lap event on September 17th to kick off the Mohawk Nationals weekend. The new Super Stock division, which will see drivers from the Airborne Speedway compete on a weekly basis with several local drivers, will also have a three-race series scheduled for the new season. The first event of the year is slated for June 18th with a 30-lap contest followed by a second 30 lapper on July 30th. The series concludes with a 35-lap finale on September 17th at the Mohawk Nationals weekend.
The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints, DIRTCar 358 Modified Series, DIRTCar Sportsman Series and DIRTCar Pro Stock Series are currently scheduled, but are subject to postponement or cancellation until international border restrictions are lifted.
Detailed information on attendance for fans, teams and crew members will be released in the coming weeks but the staff and management are working with Regis Mohawk Tribe Emergency Operations Center, and are committed to put on the safest and best show possible in 2021. We missed you all last year and look forward to seeing everyone back where we belong every Friday night, at Mohawk.