|
by Brian Spaid
November 11, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRANKLIN, PA .. Last week, Tri-City Speedway officials added Late Models to the weekly Sunday night card at the Venango County half-mile oval. This week, Tri-City Co-Promoters Mike Graham and Roger Crick decided to sanction the class as part of the FASTRAK Northeast Region in 2008.
"We investigated all options, and we found that the best one for our Late Models at this time includes the rules and programs that FASTRAK has to offer," said track Co-Promoter Mike Graham. "We ultimately decided that FASTRAK was the way to go for our drivers and teams."
The decision adds Tri-City to a growing list of tracks that offer the FASTRAK Late Models in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. In addition, with Raceway 7 in Conneaut, Ohio, and Mercer (Pa.) Raceway Park offering weekly FASTRAK Late Model racing on Friday and Saturday nights, Tri-City becomes the Sunday night home for the division, which will now offer three consecutive nights of action each summer weekend within a reasonable driving distance. Other area tracks that sanction FASTRAK Late Models include McKean County Raceway in Smethport, Pa., Freedom Raceway in Delevan, N.Y., and Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown, Pa.
"Change is inevitable in racing, and there are going to be a lot of changes at Tri-City and throughout our region in 2008 and coming years," added Graham. "There is a need to control costs for racers and tracks. Otherwise, motorsports will become a dying opportunity for grassroots teams. The FASTRAK Late Models offer our competitors an opportunity to race at less cost for greater dollars. All three tracks, Raceway 7, Mercer and Tri-City, have already learned about drivers and teams that are returning to action after closing or significantly limiting their racing operations over the last five years. Their return is based solely on this opportunity to compete in a great car under affordable rules. We are also aware of teams that race in what have traditionally been called the support classes moving into the FASTRAK Late Models for a new challenge and expansion of their operations. This means that those support classes will have an influx of new racers, and we've also been contacted by many new teams on those levels as well."
The FASTRAK Late Model teams will be eligible to compete for a national point fund that offered over $350,000 in prizes in 2007. FASTRAK, which is based out of Carnesville, Ga., already has plans underway for the 2008 point fund. The FASTRAK Northeast Region is just one of eight regions countrywide. The others include the Mideast, Great Lakes, Dakota, Midwest, Upper Midwest, Southern and Pacific Regions. For more information on FASTRAK, check out the Northeast website at www.fastraknortheast.com and the National website at www.fastrakracing.com.
Graham and his Co-Promoter, Roger Crick, are currently working on Tri-City's 2008 schedule, which will be out in February. As that schedule comes together, a FASTRAK Northeast Region Series race is also under consideration.
As for weekly racing, Graham and Crick are close to finally deciding the fifth division that will be part of the Sunday night shows next season. Currently, the FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods, Pro Stocks and "Sunday Night Thunder" Cars will compete each week. Still under consideration are the Super Sprints, Super Late Models, Big Block Modifieds and Small Block Modifieds.
"Within the next ten days, we will make a final decision," said Graham. "Roger and I need to talk to some other people this coming week about some issues for 2008 before we make that decision. Those discussions are critical to that decision."
Graham and Crick continue to solicit comments from racers and fans about divisions and special events, and everyone is encouraged to contact them via e-mail at speedway@tricityspeedway.com.
Tri-City Speedway is owned and operated by Roger and Susie Crick and Mike and Margaret Graham. They have promoted Sunday night racing at the popular facility since they reopened it in 1996. The FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods, Pro Stocks and Thundercars race each week at the Venango County half-mile dirt oval. Tri-City is located seven miles north of Franklin, Pa., off State Route 417.
|
|
