The track will join the IHRA Summit SuperSeries program, the most prestigious national championship in bracket racing in 2024. Keen knows it will be a big hit with the bracket racers who now will get to participate in the IHRA Summit Team Finals and eligible track champions in the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.
“We have some guys who are really good. They’re going to be pretty excited to be part of that,” Keen said. “They’re going to love the chance to go to the World Finals.”
Keen, 46, comes from a family of racers. He has competed in the sport since he was a teenager with his first race car was a 1973 Chevy Nova with a 355 cubic-inch engine. The closest track to him was 100 miles away, so that’s a big reason he decided to buy the drag strip at Bonne Terre.
Nowadays, he doesn’t get to race as much as there’s constant work to do maintaining and updating the property. There are lots of hours involved to keep it a nice place for the racers.
The facility includes a Port-a-Tree timing system, bathrooms on both sides of the pit area, a concession stand with items like burgers and fries, and a nice grassy area where folks can bring their lawn chairs and pop-ups to enjoy the racing.
As a track owner, Keen does his best to always be prepared for whatever situation occurs.
“I try to keep two of everything. That’s something I learned real quick, to have spares for your spares,” he said. “You have sensors go out or lightning decides to mess with you. Last year, we put in a new speaker system so everyone can hear the p.a. good now. Every year, we try to do something extra to upgrade.”
Photo Credit: Tom and Millie Derry / KEM Motorsports
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