Race fans will converge on Batesville Motor Speedway from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 for the 10th annual Race for Hope, an event merging high-octane excitement with a charitable cause. Presented by First Community Bank, the four-night event will raise funds for the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, a nonprofit dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for children in need.
IMCA Modified racing will take center stage throughout the week, culminating in a 71-lap feature on Saturday night. The race winner will claim a $30,000 prize, with a total event purse exceeding $150,000. A minimum payout of $1,500 is guaranteed for drivers who qualify for the Saturday feature.
"First Community Bank is proud to continue our partnership with the Race for Hope and support an event that combines a great tradition of racing with an even greater purpose," said Boris Dover, president and chief operating officer of First Community Bank. "The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across our state, and we are honored to join Batesville Motor Speedway, the drivers, fans, and fellow sponsors in helping support their mission."
Mooney Starr, owner and promoter of Batesville Motor Speedway, expressed pride in the event's milestone year. "The Race for Hope has become a special event for our racing community, and reaching our 10th year is something we’re extremely proud of," Starr said. "We’re expecting some great racing and a strong field of competitors, but what makes this event truly meaningful is knowing that we’re racing for something bigger than what happens on the track."
The week’s racing schedule begins Wednesday, Sept. 30, with heat races, nightly B-features, and an A-feature, where the top seven finishers earn a spot in Saturday night's 30-car A-main start. Thursday and Friday offer full programs as well, with the top seven from each day’s events gaining positions in Saturday’s middle and outside rows. Drivers will accumulate points during the preliminaries to determine their starting places in the Saturday B-features.
The highly anticipated Saturday finale will award $30,000 to the first-place finisher, $12,500 to second, and $11,500 to third. Every position through 30th will receive prize money, with a minimum $1,500 payout for the final group of entries.
Proceeds from the event help fund the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, which provides safe, stable homes for children facing difficult circumstances. Matt Cleveland, chief development officer for the Ranches, expressed gratitude for the support. "We are incredibly grateful to Race for Hope, First Community Bank, and everyone who is coming together to make this event possible," Cleveland said. "The funds raised will directly support our mission of providing a safe, stable, and nurturing home for children who need it most."
Admission is $20 per person Wednesday through Friday and $25 for Saturday’s feature night, while drivers can enter the event for $200 if registered by Sept. 25. Late registration increases the fee to $250. Batesville Motor Speedway, a 3/8-mile high-banked dirt track located in the Batesville area, will host the races.
For more information or to register, visit the Batesville Motor Speedway website at www.batesvillemotorspeedway.com.