Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Riley Paysen of Wall Lake is the Sport Compacts points leader at Sports Park Raceway heading into the final week of action.

Sports Park Raceway will conclude its 2017 season on Sunday by recognizing the people it values most: the drivers and the fans.

The ascending Fort Dodge racing facility hosts its final points championship event while simultaneously offering kids night festivities in the 14th and final week of action at Frontier Sports Park.

”We want everyone to come out and have a good time for our last race,” said Jason Vansickel, Sports Park Raceway’s first-year track promoter and manager. ”Our racing community has been very loyal to us during this transition season, and we want to make sure we continue to take care of them and thank them for supporting us.

”We’re doing our best every single day to solidify our reputation and show everyone we’re the real deal here in Fort Dodge. I’m very excited about the direction we’re headed in, so this night is a celebration for everyone who has had a hand in getting us to this point.”

Champions will be crowned in the six weekly divisions: Sport Compacts, Hobby Stocks, Sport Mod, Stock Car, Modifieds, and Late Models. Gates open at 4 p.m., with a driver autograph session and kids frisbee handout through at least 5 p.m.

There will also be bouncy houses set up for children in attendance, and a coin/candy toss for kids during the intermission. A total of $800 in coins and dollar bills will be given away, as well as bikes, toys, and Fort Frenzy passes.

Vansickel has been pleased with the response from both the racing community and area businesses over the course of the year.

”I was expecting about a 75 car per week average, and we’re closer to 80,” Vansickel said. ”And my hope (before the season began) was to sustain crowds of at least 600. We’ve had upwards of 1,200 at times.

”The drivers and the fans are our lifeblood. Their commitment has meant everything to us. And the sponsors have stepped up in a really big way, too. We’ve had a huge outpouring of support from local and area businesses.”

Vansickel added the complaints from racing enthusiasts have been few and far between.

”We’re trying our best to make sure we do everything the right way,” Vansickel said. ”The drivers have loved how smooth the track has been. We battled some dust issues (early- to mid-summer), but we’ve taken care of that.”

Hot laps are at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, with racing to follow. There will be a driver introduction before each feature race.

Tickets are $10 for fans over the age of 14, $4 for kids ages 7-13, and free admission for kids 6 and under. Former and current military members and seniors age 60 and over are $8.

Pit passes for Sunday’s action are just $20 per person.

Fort Dodge Noon Sertoma is this week’s sponsor.

Sports Park Raceway is located at 2298 South River Road, just south of the Highway 20 and 169 intersection.

SPORTS PARK RACEWAY

Current Point Standings

Hobby Stock — 1. Myles Michehl, Fort Dodge, 345; 2. Jeff Fink, Denison, 343; 3. Dakota Feckert, Webster City, 300; 4. David Gilliland, Lehigh, 291; 5. Wade Gilliland, Callender, 287.

Late Models — 1. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake, and Ryan Griffith, Webster City, 350; 3. Todd Johnson, Mitchellville, 259; 4. Don Beckstrom, Carroll, 215; 5. Jenna Johnson, Mitchellville, 210.

Modifieds — 1. Shane Demmey, Denison, 332; 2. Bill Crimmins, Fort Dodge, 301; 3. Tristan Vesterby, Webster City, 260; 4. Chase Ellingson, Iowa Falls, 232; 5. Tyler Prochaska, Iowa Falls, 223.

Sport Compacts — 1. Riley Paysen, Wall Lake, 348; 2. John Gill, Marshalltown, 338; 3. A.J. Myott, Fort Dodge, 329; 4. Matt Olberhelman, Fort Dodge, 306; 5. Lucus Jones, Fort Dodge, 305.

Sport Mods — 1. Ty Griffith, Webster City, 332; 2. Rocky Caudle, Ellsworth, 328; 3. Jon Peed, Webster City, 303; 4. Jason Bass, Fort Dodge, 295; 5. Brandon Toftee, Webster City, 276.

Stock Cars — 1. Tyler Pickett, Boxholm, 327; 2. Calvin Lange, Humboldt, 318; 3. Jeff Lyon, Duncombe, 316; 4. Jesse Ely, Webster City, 283; 5. John Wiemann, Algona, 235.