40th annual Silver 1000 tonight at Proctor
The area's top Late Model and Modified drivers are expected to be at Proctor Speedway at 7 p.m. today for the 40th annual running of the Silver 1000 stock car race.
Considered the granddaddy of the Northland's year-ending specials, the Silver 1000 used to pay its winners with 1,000 silver dollars but now pays a grand prize of $2,500 to the winner of the 40-lap Late Model feature, with incentives that could push that total as high as $3,300.
Defending champions are Brady Smith of Solon Springs in Late Models and Trent Follmer of Princeton, Minn., in Modifieds. Tickets are $22 for those 13 and older and $4 for those 12 and younger.
Duluth's Tim McMann was among the top drivers on the local circuit this season. McMann enjoyed resurgence, winning the Late Model track championship at Amsoil Speedway in Superior and coming in third at Proctor. Among the other top local drivers this summer were Hermantown's Darrell Nelson and Hibbing's Kyle Peterlin.
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After tonight, many of the drivers head to Hibbing Raceway for the 34th annual Labor Day Shootout on Saturday and Sunday featuring a total purse of more than $80,000. Considered one of the Midwest's largest dirt track events, the Shootout features a top prize of $3,500 each night for the Late Model winner and $2,000 for the Modifieds.
Next week Amsoil Speedway has its year-end special with the 24th annual Northern Nationals; like the Shootout it's a two-day event with a big purse.
