MORRIS, Ill. — The ARCA Midwest Tour will begin season on Saturday, July 11 at Grundy County Speedway with the 34th running of the Wayne Carter Classic at the one-third mile paved oval.

A $5,000 winner’s purse has been posted by Rod Baker Ford and Illinois Truck & Equipment for the 100-lap contest that will pay $725 to start the 25-car main event.

The ‘Midwest Tour and fans alike will be welcomed to a newly renovated fairgrounds facility with updated amenities, newly paved roads and for the first time, the Midwest Tour will race under state-of-the-art LED lights.

“This is where it all began for my parents with ARTGO so it is pretty special that Grundy is the track where the tour starts up again,” said Midwest Tour Promoter Gregg McKarns, whose parents John and Sue McKarns promoted the ARTGO Challenge Series through 1997. “The video of their new lights is phenomenal. I can hardly wait to see everyone’s reaction when we roll into Morris.”

Joining the ARCA Midwest Tour will be the Midwest Dash Series and the Northern Outlaw Vintage Series. The Wayne Carter Classic began in 1975 when Tom Reffner defeated Bob Roper in what was the first ARTGO Racing event.

The list of winners and participants is a who’s who of Midwest Short Track Racing. Spectator Gates will open at 4:30 p.m., qualifying begins at 5p.m. with the First Race starting at 7pm.

Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance as attendance limits will be in place at a to be determined percentage.

Adult General Admission Tickets are $20, Seniors (62 and over) are $18, Students (ages 12-17) are $10 with kids ages 11 and under admitted Free. For additional information or to buy tickets for this event, please visit www.midwesttour.racing Friday night weekly racing action is set to begin at Grundy on June 26.