[Smeents]

5th Annual Charlene Meents Memorial - October 3, 2009

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 5th Annual Charlene Meents Memorial race will take place on October 3th, 2009 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.

Prior Charlene Meents Memorial winners:
2005 Matt Sandy - midget (Farmer City Raceway)
2006 Mike Hess - midget (Bond County Fairgrounds)
2007 Brad Loyet - midget (Belle-Clair Speedway)
2008 Brett Anderson - midget (Belle-Clair Speedway)

[Andrew S. Quinn]

Last midget race of the yr at my favorite track. Cant wait for it.