WHEELERSBURG — The legendary Southern Ohio Speedway is back.

After not running a full season since 2003, the famed 4-tenth-mile speedway is set to re-open this Friday with the “Southern Showdown” featuring the ADRA Late Models-$3,000 to win, Modifieds-$3,000 to win, and Bombers-$400 to win.

Wheelersburg’s Rod Conley leads the ADRA Late Model Series point standings heading into Friday’s series event. His father, Delmas Conley, was the winner of the last $3,000 to win Late Model race held at SOS in September of 2003. A strong field of Late Models is expected to be in attendance on Friday to do battle for a near $11,000 purse.

Many of the nation’s top Modified drivers are expected to be in attendance for the Modified portion of the Southern Showdown. With $3,000 to win at SOS on Friday and $5,000 to win at the nearby Portsmouth Raceway Park on Saturday, a potential $8,000 is on the line.

The top 20 Modified drivers who do not make the 30-lap feature on Friday will get to compete in a 12-lap, $400 to win non-qualifiers race. That means that 40 Modified drivers will get to compete in a feature event and take home feature money.

In addition to the great racing action, fans will also get to see the many improvements made to the facility by the H&L Motorsports crew.

New bleachers have been installed, banking has been added to turns three and four as well as a new guardrail and catch fence. The outside pit area has been enlarged, new clay has been hauled on the track surface and everything has been painted and clean cut.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday with hot laps starting the night’s action at 7 p.m. General admission is $15 (ages 17+), $5 (ages 13-16), $2 (ages 7-12) and free for kids 6 and under. Pit passes are $30. SOS offers nice grandstand seating along with areas for lawn chairs.

For more information please visit www.southernohiospeedway.com