Steve Rogers
Stories by Steve
BAD BOY 98: Fan ‘out of snuff,’ gets car thanks to Owens’ victory
posted: 05/21/2012 3:12 a.m. Discuss
In about 11 years, when Nathan Owens becomes old enough to drive, he’ll have a car waiting for him.
Moyer adds pole to winning season
posted: 05/20/2012 4:36 a.m. Discuss
Throughout his hall of fame racing career, Batesville’s Billy Moyer has seen plenty of streaks come and go.
Texter ‘a machine’ on flat tracks
posted: 05/19/2012 3:43 a.m. Discuss
Shayna Texter has heard the comparison.
Sullivan: It’s all about tires
posted: 05/18/2012 2:24 a.m. Discuss
Jack Sullivan isn’t sure where the rest of his racing season will take him, but he at least knows what to expect this weekend at Batesville Motor Speedway.
I-30 Speedway getting airtime
posted: 05/11/2012 2:37 a.m. Discuss
I-30 Speedway’s Short Track Nationals is going worldwide and live.
54TH DAYTONA 500: Davis relishes 2002 victory
posted: 02/26/2012 5:10 a.m. Discuss
Bill Davis of Batesville knows his life is much different today than it was 10 years ago when his driver and team won stock car racing’s biggest event, the Daytona 500.
Motor sports report
posted: 02/18/2012 4:30 a.m. Discuss
Passing of announcer felt at I-30 When Little Rock’s I-30 Speedway opens for its 56th season next month, it will be without one of its most iconic figures.
Flat tire doesn’t stop Swindell
posted: 10/31/2011 5:01 a.m. Discuss
Twenty-one years after his first victory at the event, Sammy Swindell was again the best at the Short Track Nationals.
Rain cuts racing short at I-30
posted: 10/29/2011 4:37 a.m. Discuss
Rain cut the racing short at Little Rock’s I-30 Speedway on Thursday night, but there was plenty to make up for it Friday night.
Clay shapes dirt-track surface
posted: 10/28/2011 4:07 a.m. Discuss
Joe Clay has made many more laps around I-30 Speedway since he retired than he ever did as a sprint car driver.
Rain forces schedule change
posted: 10/28/2011 4:01 a.m. Discuss
After rain stopped Thursday night’s racing at I-30 Speedway, today’s schedule has been changed for the 24th annual Comp Cams Short Track Nationals.
Driver hasn’t lost fondness for I-30 Speedway
posted: 10/27/2011 4:23 a.m. Discuss
When Greg Wilson pulls into the gate at Little Rock’s I-30 Speedway today, he’ll be happier than he was when he last exited it.
TOPLESS 100: Tennessee driver in control
posted: 08/22/2011 4:53 a.m. Discuss
For the second year in a row, Scott Bloomquist dominated a daytime race at the Topless 100. But this time he has a big trophy and a bigger check to show for his efforts.
Points leaders, former winners rule qualifying
posted: 08/21/2011 5:09 a.m. Discuss
The best showed why they are the best Friday night.
Batesville race today after rain
posted: 08/21/2011 5:07 a.m. Discuss
For the second year in a row, the Comp Cams Topless 100 will be run during daylight hours Sunday. Rain hit Batesville Motor Speedway 12 laps into the 100-lap feature Saturday night, forcing postponement until today at 2 p.m. Plans are to complete the full 100 laps for the event. Three-time winner Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn. was the leader when the rain hit.
Sullivan on roll after hack job
posted: 08/20/2011 3:32 a.m. Discuss
Jack Sullivan lists his occupation as race car driver, not mechanical engineer.
TOPLESS 100: Drivers moving fast on, off track
posted: 08/19/2011 4:36 a.m. Discuss
They are two of the most successful dirt late model drivers ever, and they are plenty busy heading into one of year’s biggest events.
Everett, 17, perfect under pressure
posted: 06/26/2011 3:01 a.m. Discuss
With a gaggle of veteran drivers on his rear bumper, 17-year-old Dallas Everett raced with a smoothness that belied his age.
Motor sports report
posted: 06/18/2011 4:08 a.m. Discuss
Final 10 laps taxing on Moyer The first 80-odd laps couldn’t count off quickly enough for Batesville’s Billy Moyer. The final few laps went by way too fast.
Rain postpones Bad Boy 98
posted: 05/22/2011 3:18 a.m. Discuss
Rain forced the indefinite postponement of Saturday night’s Bad Boy Mowers 98 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Batesville Motor Speedway. Friday night’s qualifying was postponed by rain. As the rain continued — more than 3 inches fell in the area Friday night — the event was called off. No makeup date has been announced.
Rookie Landers seeks another Batesville victory
posted: 05/21/2011 2:35 a.m. Discuss
Last summer’s upset victory over the nation’s top dirt late model drivers didn’t put Jared Landers behind the wheel of a car owned by a NASCAR driver and as a regular on the sport’s top touring series.
Attractions add to unusual race
posted: 05/20/2011 2:44 a.m. Discuss
If you want a gimmick, Mooney Starr can usually provide one.
A flat-out success
posted: 05/18/2011 3:39 a.m. Comments 2
As the story goes, Michael Jordan was exiting an airplane in Barcelona, Spain.
Wright breaks 50-race drought
posted: 04/18/2011 3:29 a.m. Discuss
There was a time when victories were a dime a dozen for Gary Wright.
Swindell maneuvers to victory
posted: 04/17/2011 5:29 a.m. Discuss
With any luck, Jeff Swindell would have already posted his first Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series national tour victory of the season before Friday night.
Rilat happy to be back in action
posted: 04/15/2011 2:57 a.m. Discuss
Travis Rilat will not be at Little Rock’s I-30 Speedway this weekend for the two-day Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series national tour event, opting instead to race at ASCS regional events in Beaumont, Texas, and Baytown, Texas. But right now, Rilat is happy to be anywhere, doing anything.
Motor sports report
posted: 02/13/2011 4:24 a.m. Discuss
Moyer selected as best Batesville’s Billy Moyer was named the driver of the year for 2010 by dirtondirt. com, a national site dedicated to dirt late model racing.
Sweet’s sweep to victory burns embattled leaders
posted: 11/01/2010 4:07 a.m. Discuss
It took until the early hours of Sunday morning, but the fireworks finally arrived at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock.
New way works for Hafertepe in prelim
posted: 10/30/2010 7:12 a.m. Discuss
Sam Hafertepe Jr. says he’s forgotten any past experience that might have given him an advantage at Little Rock’s I-30 Speedway.
First-year owner still top driver
posted: 10/29/2010 4:03 a.m. Discuss
Jason Johnson is having an ultra successful year on the national sprint car ranks, but he’s used to that.
Crash doesn’t stop Jenkins
posted: 10/28/2010 3:25 a.m. Discuss
Last November, Tony Bruce Jr. of Liberal, Kan., was in victory lane at Little Rock’s I-30 Speedway, celebrating his second consecutive victory in the Short Track Nationals.
Benton’s Crawley wins on slick move
posted: 08/30/2010 4:10 a.m. Discuss
It may have appeared Benton’s Tim Crawley put his years of experience at his home track to good use Saturday night, but Crawley said he just guessed correctly.
Tragedies cast shadow over sprint car series
posted: 08/28/2010 5:09 a.m. Discuss
Sprint car racing, like any motor sport, has experienced its share of heartache.
Landers endures the heat
posted: 08/23/2010 4:25 a.m. Discuss
It was almost too much for Batesville’s Jared Landers to comprehend.
Landers puts pedal to metal in Topless 100
posted: 08/22/2010 6:01 a.m. Discuss
Jared Landers came home, took a step back and was floored by the results.
Batesville promoter attempting to drive up interest
posted: 08/22/2010 6 a.m. Discuss
At least at first glance, Batesville Motor Speedway promoter Mooney Starr appeared to be out of his mind... again.
Wallace shifting gears for victory
posted: 08/21/2010 5:17 a.m. Discuss
Wendell Wallace is ready to try anything.
Moyer Jr. continuing rise, but still behind father
posted: 08/20/2010 4:54 a.m. Discuss
It’s becoming more and more difficult to call Batesville’s Billy Moyer Jr. a rising star in the national ranks of dirt late model drivers.
Motor sports report
posted: 08/01/2010 5:04 a.m. Discuss
Sullivan in it for long haul If nothing else, Jack Sullivan was ready to see his own bed.
Pea Ridge driver dominates again
posted: 07/25/2010 5:38 a.m. Discuss
Arkansas’ most decorated modified driver lived up to his billing during Friday night’s eighth annual Scrapp Fox Memorial at Beebe Speedway.
Motor sports report
posted: 07/24/2010 4:56 a.m. Discuss
Arkansan finds home in UAE It was a long road that brought Rod Fuller back to the seat of an NHRA top fuel dragster, one that took him halfway around the world.
Firecracker Fast 5K
posted: 07/04/2010 7:26 a.m. Discuss
Results from the Firecracker Fast 5K held Saturday in Little Rock: Mens division
Motor sports report
posted: 05/29/2010 4:17 a.m. Comment 1
‘Gasser’ Hockett dies at 26 Tracey Clay will always remember Jesse Hockett for his hard-charging, tireburning performance in 2006.
Second thoughts
posted: 05/21/2010 3:06 a.m. Discuss
London is getting into spirit For decades, Olympic mascots have been jolly animals with links to their host country, like Sam the Eagle during the 1984 games in Los Angeles and Waldi the dachshund from the 1972 Munich games.
Motor sports report
posted: 05/08/2010 4:52 a.m. Discuss
AMA gets Arkansas involved Flat-track motorcycle racing has a long and rich history.
Oklahoma driver responds
posted: 04/12/2010 4:21 a.m. Discuss
Friday night misfortune was followed by Saturday night success for Zach Chappell of Talala, Okla., who won Saturday night’s Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series event at Little Rock’s I-30 Speedway.
Motor sports report
posted: 04/10/2010 4 a.m. Discuss
Options plentiful in region What’s an Arkansas sprint car racing fan to do?
NO. 6: Martin hits 50, finds full-time fire
posted: 12/27/2009 2:48 a.m. Discuss
Apparently all Mark Martin needed was a little time off. Just a little.
Arkansas Democrat Gazette Sportsman of the Year: Faster times at 50
posted: 12/26/2009 1 a.m. Discuss
Batesville’s Mark Martin was on the verge of clinching a record tying fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup runner-up finish in November when the subject was brought up.
