TIMES STAFF REPORT

ALLEN - The Kinzer Motorsports team invaded the Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. Jan. 4-6 for the annual Ice Bowl, which kicked off the Floyd County-based dirt Late Model raceteam's 2008 campaign. The popular early-season event drew a healthy field of cars to the track deemed as the Hornet's Nest. Kinzer Motorsports driver Brandon Kinzer timed in sixth quickest in his group during qualifying Saturday, Jan. 5 and improved one spot in his heat race, finishing fifth.

When the action resumed Sunday afternoon, Kinzer was able to pass one more car in the consolation race. However, unfortunately for the Kinzer driver and raceteam, it was not enough to earn the group a transfer position into the $6,000-to-win A-Main. As is typical with daytime racing at any dirt venue, passing was at a premium throughout the weekend and hampered Kinzer's efforts to transfer into the latest Ice Bowl.

Kinzer Motorsports has plans to race in numerous national events.

Battle of the Bluegrass Banquet: The O'Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass Series banquet is set for January 26 at the Ramada Conference Center in Lexington. Late model and modified drivers from the series will be recognized during the event.

The reception for the event will begin at 5 p.m. Dinner will follow at 6 p.m. The awards banquet is set for 7 p.m. Tickets to attend the banquet honoring the nation's most competitive regional racing series' drivers are available for $30. For more information, call 270-384-0828 or 270-250-3979.