BackStoppers Night at the Races Brings Lights, Sirens and Support to I-55 Raceway
PEVELY — The lights and sirens at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park on Saturday, June 27, will not just be part of the show. They will be part of the tribute.
BackStoppers of Jefferson County is partnering with I-55 Raceway for BackStoppers Night at the Races, a family-friendly night of dirt track racing, raffles, merchandise and support for the families of fallen and critically injured first responders. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., hot laps begin at 6:30 p.m., and racing starts at 7 p.m. General admission is $25 at the gate.
The event will feature IRA 410 Bumper to Bumper winged sprints, B modifieds and more, but Jamie Guinn with BackStoppers of Jefferson County said the purpose of the night reaches far beyond the track.
As part of the fundraiser, I-55 Raceway will donate $1 from every ticket sold to BackStoppers. Volunteers will also be collecting donations through a Fill the Boot effort, assisting with a 50/50 raffle and selling BackStoppers merchandise, including T-shirts.
BackStoppers of Jefferson County will have its trailer set up near the front of the raceway, under a large American flag hanging from a fire truck ladder. Guests will be able to stop by for raffle tickets, merchandise, membership information and ways to support the organization throughout the year.
One of the featured raffle items at the race will be a big-screen television. Tickets for the TV raffle will be $5 each, with the winner drawn during intermission. Visitors will also be able to purchase tickets for BackStoppers’ larger annual raffle, which includes a chance to win a 2026 Ford Maverick from Reuther Ford or take $15,000 cash instead. That drawing is scheduled for Sept. 19 at the BackStoppers annual barbecue.
The June 27 race night will also include help from cadets and students from Jefferson College’s paramedic program and police academy. Guinn said having those students participate adds another meaningful layer to the event, giving future public safety professionals a chance to serve alongside the community they may one day protect.
The opening of the event is expected to be especially memorable. Elena Good is scheduled to sing the national anthem, and BackStoppers is working to bring together as many local first responder vehicles as possible for ceremonial laps at the start of the race.
Guinn said the plan is for duty vehicles, supervisor vehicles and other first responder vehicles to take laps with lights and sirens on “to show the honor and the respect that we have for the service and for our fallen first responders or critically injured.”
That visible show of support is at the heart of the event. BackStoppers serves families of police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty. When tragedy strikes, the organization provides immediate and long-term support to help families through financial, medical, educational and other needs.
Guinn said events like this are not just about raising money. They are about making sure first responders and their families know the community stands with them.
According to Guinn, Jefferson County has become one of the strongest supporters of BackStoppers in the region, with local donors, businesses, first responders and volunteers continuing to show up for the mission.
For families, the night also offers a chance to enjoy one of Jefferson County’s well-known local attractions while supporting a serious cause. Guinn said the raceway is a fitting place for the event because it is local, energetic and family-centered.
“It’s in our county,” Guinn said. “People get out there. They get to have a good time, watch a great show.”
Families planning to attend should remember that dirt track racing can be loud and dusty. Ear protection is a good idea for children, and safety glasses or goggles may also help younger fans enjoy the night more comfortably.
Whether guests come for the racing, the raffles, the first responder vehicles or the chance to support a good cause, Guinn said the goal is simple: bring Jefferson County together around the people who serve.
“Everything that we raise goes directly to BackStoppers,” Guinn said.
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