[Smeents]

4th Annual Charlene Meents Memorial - October 4, 2008

Sponsorship opportunities available
Lap Sponsors - $25 a lap to be paid to the leader of each lap in the Midget A-Main.
*Except Laps 1, 15, and 30 - these laps are $50

For more information or to sponsor a lap or heat race, please call Stephanie Meents at 618-210-4342 or e-mail me at Meents05@yahoo.com


The 4th Annual Charlene Meents Memorial race will take place on October 4th, 2008 when the POWRi midgets and micros once again invade the dirt at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, IL. “Little Belleville” was always one of Charlene’s favorite race tracks, so it is only fitting that the race to honor Charlene’s life and dedication to midget racing return again to the track where she enjoyed working so many races during her racing career.

Charlene was a longtime officer and race official for the MARA midgets. During the 27 years that Charlene was active in MARA, she served in all capacities, including President for many years. During this time, she was instrumental in some key note races that took place in the 1980s and 90s. In addition to great local races at tracks like Little Belleville, Macon, and Pevely just to name a few, she was also a big factor in MARA’s involvement in races such as the Belleville Nationals, the Wolverine Nationals, and the first running of what is now the Chili Bowl Nationals.

Charlene dedicated her entire life to the sport of midget racing. When she wasn’t negotiating race contracts, she was calling members to gain support for upcoming races or calling to check on the well-being of any member that may have been sick or injured from racing. She knew no strangers when it came race time and welcomed everyone to the sport with open arms. Although she was only one person, she often did the jobs of three or four people before the races, all while battling severe health issues. Her disability never stopped her devotion to the one thing she loved more than anything in life - in fact this one love kept her fighting everyday just so she could listen to every race, every weekend.

The influence that Charlene had on midget racing in the Midwest can still be seen today. She believed in treating all competitors fairly and did whatever she could to promote the entire sport of midget racing. All midget racers were like family to her and she thought of all the drivers as her children. She is greatly missed by her family and friends and she would definitely be proud of the direction midget racing is heading here in the Midwest.

Prior Charlene Meents Memorial winners:
2005 Matt Sandy - midget (Farmer City Raceway)
2006 Mike Hess - midget (Bond County Fairgrounds)
Ryan Criswell - micro
2007 Brad Loyet - midget (Belle-Clair Speedway)
Austin Laskey - micro

[Midwest Connection]

Stephanie, I will be at the Charlene Meents Memorial taking photos at turns 2 or 3. I will post a few photos. I hope to see you at Belle Clair Speedway.

Have a good day...see you at the races

Midwest Connection
Rich Edwards - Arnold, Missouri

[Andrew S. Quinn]

I'll be there again this year.

Are they having the Chili tasting thing in Belleville that weekend too??

[Smeents]

Laps are still available for anyone interested in sponsoring one!!!:greenflag:

[markd]

The Chili Cook-Off is on Sat the 4th starting at 11 am. They also have a car show at the cook off.

:thumb

[Andrew S. Quinn]

I forgot all about the car show.

Maybe Morty will let me borrow his truck.

Come get 'er, ASQ.....:thumb

How about Cruz Pedregon being in attendance in the Kenny Brown 17 :eek:

And don't be too surprised to see Justin Allgaier, today's last lap Talledega 250 ARCA winner in the house for Ebby Bergfield(sp)....:respect:

Again, one of the best $12.00 you'll spend all season.....

[Andrew S. Quinn]

Hahahah I would,but you'd probably make me take the "pink" one!!!

[Smeents]

I would like to thank all the lap sponsors for tonight's event. Your support means so much to myself and my family.

1. Joe Fontana
2. Wayne and Jan Dake
3. Leader’s Edge
4. Meents Motorsports
5. Loyet Family
6. Sue Thiel Memorial Classic
7. Sue Thiel Memorial Classic
8. Sue Thiel Memorial Classic
9. Racebumpers.com
10. Loyet Family
11. Sue Thiel Memorial Classic
12. Hoosier Tire Midwest
13. Sue Thiel Memorial Classic
14. Sue Thiel Memorial Classic
15. Loyet Family
16. Hoosier Tire Midwest
17. Sue Thiel Memorial Classic
18. Sue Thiel Memorial Classic
19. Racebumpers.com
20. Illini Racing Series
21. In Memory of Mike Stroud
22. Illini Racing Series
23. Illini Racing Series
24. Illini Racing Series
25. K & K Garage
26. Race bumpers.com
27. Racebumpers.com
28. Leader’s Edge
29. Indy Circle Track Expo
30. Rusty and Wanda Kunz