For The Tribune

COAL GROVE — The second annual Engines Inc. 50, one of the largest events of the season, will take place on Friday.

On the card will be Late Models going 50 laps for $5,000 to win along with Tomahawk Race Car Modifieds at $650 to win and Mod Lites at $200 to win.

Bombers will have the night off.

“Every ‘50 lap $5,000 to win’ show has produced some of the most exciting racing around,” said RTR promoter T. J. Layne.

“Our track is always very racey and our big shows always draw some of the best drivers on the east coast.

You add those things together and the result is a can’t miss race for the fans.”

In last year’s Engines Inc. 50, the 2007 World of Outlaws champion Steve Francis made a late race pass on Tim Dohm to take the big win.

Just one month ago, Dohm won $5,000 at RTR in the Tri-America Contractors 50, another race that saw lead changes and three-wide racing nearly every lap.

R.J. Conley won the first $5,000 to win event at the track back in 2005 in a race that saw several lead changes.

Just like in the previous $5,000 to win Late Model show back in June, a format similar to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will be used.

There will be no dash race as the heat races will start heads up from time trials. The top two finishers in each heat race will redraw on the front straightaway for starting positions 1-6, 1-8, or 1-10 (depends on how many heat races are scheduled).

Single file restarts will still be used.

Friday’s event will also mark the first of the final five-points races of the season. It will be important for all Late Model drivers in the points battle to be in attendance as all Late Model drivers will receive 100 show up points, which is equal to the number of points given for a race win.

Jackie Boggs currently leads Terry Hicks and Joe Ramey by 70 points.

In the Tomahawk Race Car Modifieds, Todd Robinson holds a 60-point edge over Adam Jordan in second and a 100-point lead over Jason Perry in third.

Those drivers will be racing for a Tomahawk Chassis which awaits the 2008 champion.

Tony Sites currently holds a five-point lead over Jerry Cushing in the Mod Lite battle for the championship.

General admission for this event will be $20 with pit admission $30. General admission for kids 7-12 is $2.

There will be no entry fees or any other additional fees for the race teams.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps scheduled for 7:30.

RTR features grandstand seating along with plenty of places for lawn chairs.

For more information visit www.rockytopraceway.net.