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Two weeks ago, NASCAR Superstar Kasey Kahne served as Grand Marshall for the nationally-televised Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XVI. As Grand Marshall, Kahne met and greeted fans, signed hundreds of autographs, and made a guest appearance with Bobby Gerould and Brad Doty for the ESPN2 telecast. But the next time NASCAR stars invade the Lernerville Speedway, they won’t be coming to make a guest appearance, they’ll be coming to race! That’s right, on Thursday August 16, Tony Stewart and Kenny Schrader will be going wheel-to-wheel with the area’s best late model drivers, vying for a $3000 payday.
It’s not the money Stewart and Schrader are after, it’s the “Need for Speed”, (to steal a line from Top Gun). Not only are they quenching their thirst to be in a race car, they’re also giving back to the roots of racing. Both drivers realize that without weekend dirt tracks and racers, there would be no up and coming NASCAR superstars. They also realize that their names and their presence will draw fans to the speedway, increasing attendance, revenue and exposure, all of which benefits the local drivers. Not to mention the experience they’ll gain racing against two of the most accomplished drivers in the world.
Both Stewart and Schrader own and race their late models on what is becoming a more and more regular basis. The most notable race being the “Prelude to the Dream” from Eldora Speedway , which was broadcast on HBO Pay-Per-View earlier this summer, with the proceeds going to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Eldora Speedway, is now owned, of course, by Tony Stewart. The “Prelude” featured two dozen of NASCAR’s best and most well known drivers, in an “Invitation Only” field of drivers. But no invitations are needed to race in the “Stars and NASCAR Night” at Lernerville Speedway.
As announced at last Friday’s Lernerville drivers’ meeting, local Late Model drivers will receive 20 “show-up” points for participating in the event. Otherwise, the racing will be all about the money and bragging rights that go along with beating a two-time NASCAR Champion and one of the sport’s best-known and beloved personalities.
Not only is Tony Stewart a two-time NASCAR Champion, he is also coming off back-to-back wins on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. This past Sunday, July 29, Stewart claimed his second Brickyard 400 victory. Many drivers, Tony included, consider the Brickyard the sports Crown Jewel event, right on par with and perhaps maybe even more meaningful than winning the Daytona 500.
While Kenny Schrader has never won a Winston/Nextel Cup Championship, he does have four career wins and has been a NASCAR regular for over 20 full seasons. Schrader is a co-promoter of I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO and is also one of the sports most well known television personalities, most notably as a co-host the weekly “Inside Nextel Cup” which airs every Monday evening on SPEED.
Advanced Tickets are on sale now, both at the Speedway during Friday Night Fab Four Racing and by calling the Speedway office at (724) 353-1511. Reserved seats are $26 for adults, $23 for Seniors, $21 for children 17 & under. General admission is slightly less expensive at $24 for adults, $21 for Seniors, $19 for students 11-17, and 10 & under are admitted free. Pit Passes are $30 for DIRT Members and $32 for non-DIRT Members. All fans will have the opportunity to meet Tony Stewart and/or Kenny Schrader the day of the event. For more details log on to www.lernerville.com or contact the track office at (724) 353-1511. |
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