4/30/2025
UARA Series
UARA NATIONAL TO HEADLINE FRANK GRILL MEMORIAL AT SOUTH ALABAMA
- For Immediate Release
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL (April 30) – United Auto Racing Alliance (UARA) officials announced today plans to sanction the inaugural Frank Grill Memorial 112 at South Alabama Speedway on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The event will feature the UARA National Super Late Models and will replace the previously announced date scheduled for October 4. A major event for the Crown Vics is also scheduled, along with another division to be announced at a later date.
“Frankie’s [Grill] accomplishments and contributions to short track racing are immeasurable and this event is long overdue,” said UARA President Ricky Brooks. “We can’t thank the Grill family enough for allowing us to do this and we can’t think of a better place for it to happen than at South Alabama Speedway.”
Grill’s love for racing began with building soap box derby cars as a boy. Eventually, he became an accomplished car builder starting Neil Bonnett Race Cars with his friend and its namesake. After changing the name to Grand American Race Cars (GARC), Grill’s cars won countless races for drivers such as Chase Elliott, Bubba Pollard, Freddie Fryar, Bobby Gill, Jody Ridley, Ronnie Sanders, and Butch Lindley. But it was at the Snowball Derby where Grill owned or built cars shined, winning the winter classic 11 times, two of those coming with his son, Augie, behind the wheel. After Frankie’s passing in 2020, GARC continues under the leadership of Augie Grill, building race winning Super Late Models, Pro Late Models, and Modifieds.
“Our family is honored to have this race memorializing our dad and can’t thank Ricky [Brooks] and the Dykes family enough for making it possible,” said Augie Grill. “Of course, this race is going to be 112 laps. That was my number when we raced together, and we won a lot of races with 112 on the door. To have it at South Alabama Speedway couldn’t be more fitting.”
The UARA season continues Saturday, May 24 at the Freedom Factory and will feature the UARA National Super Late Models, UARA Sportsman, Pure Stocks and Crown Vics. For more information on the UARA please go to uararacing.com or follow the social media channels on Facebook and X.
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Submitted By: RICKY BROOKS