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Local dirt track racing fans flocked to the Independence Day Showdown at Phillips County Raceway on July 4. Attendees were treated to six divisions of races, fireworks, live music and the chance to meet the day’s drivers. Here, Blayne Greene, pictured at left, reaches through the cab of a stock car towards his sister, Kamreigh, who is being held by their aunt, Chelsea Hilzer. The family traveled from Fort Morgan to watch the races Wednesday. — Johnson  Publications

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Ken Schrader is interviewed by Logan Link following Schrader’s big win at the Independence Day Showdown. — Johnson Publications

Schrader burns rubber at Independence Day races

    It was a hot and dusty Fourth for fans at the Phillips County Raceway in Holyoke, with live music and fireworks setting the stage for six divisions of dirt track racing.
    Race promoter Joe Bellm said 73 cars entered Wednesday’s races. “Between the weather, the car count and the racing, it was all-in-all a good night,” he said.
    The Independence Day Showdown marked the midseason championship for the raceway, after races were rained out June 17.
    NASCAR driver Ken Schrader made a return appearance at the raceway and won the modified division behind the wheel of the #9 Federated Auto Parts car. He stuck around in the pits during intermission to sign autographs and chat with fans.
    Colorado singer-songwriter Whiskey Kate sang a rendition of the national anthem to kick off the evening’s heat races. She and Trent Hughes both performed at intermission.
    Before the start of the main event, raceway personnel shot off fireworks from the center of the track, and drivers made a lap holding miniature American flags out of their windows.

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