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BULLS GAP, Tenn. — Volunteer Speedway has attempted to get its 35th season of exciting dirt-track racing underway on two separate occasions, scheduling special events on Feb. 29-March 1 and again March 14-15. But so far Mother Nature has been the winner, with both weekends of racing having to be canceled due to inclement weather around the East Tennessee region.
They say the "third time is the charm," and the track will try once more to throw the first green flag of the 2008 racing season on Friday and Saturday, March 21-22, when Branch Banking & Trust Co. and Rusty Wallace Toyota of Morristown presents the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series $10,000-to-win "10th Annual BB&T/Toyota Tundra Spring Thaw 100."
On Friday, March 21 the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Super Late Models will qualify (Powermaster Time Trials) and run heat races, along with Hobby Stock and Mini Stock features. Adult grandstand admission on Friday is $12, youth ages 10-14 $4, with 9-and-under admitted free. Pit passes and backside tier-parking $30.
Highlighting the Saturday, March 22 racing program will be the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Super Late Model $10,000-to-win BB&T/Toyota Tundra Spring Thaw 100. Two Sunoco Dashes from preliminary qualifying events (heat races) on Friday night will determine the first six rows of the 100-lap main event, with two last chance West Haven Speed Equipment B-mains determining starting positions 18-22, and the final two (23-24) starting berths series provisionals based on 2007 final point standings. Making it an all-late model night of racing, the Crate Late Models will run a 25-lap feature. Adult grandstand admission on Saturday is $25, youth ages 10-14 $6, with 9-and-under admitted free. Pit passes and backside tier-parking $35.
The pit gate will open each day at 3 p.m., with the grandstands opening daily at 5 p.m. The driver's meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Hotlaps are tentatively scheduled to begin each evening around 6:30 p.m., followed by qualifying and then racing action.
Heading the list of drivers expected to be present include defending and four-time Spring Thaw 100 race winner Scott Bloomquist from nearby Mooresburg, Jimmy Owens of Newport, Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C., Austin Dillon of Welcome, N.C. (teenage grandson of legendary NASCAR team owner Richard Childress), Brandon Kinzer of Allen, Ky., John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., Damon Eller of Crumpler, N.C., David Payne of Murphy, N.C., and others.
Leading the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series contingent of regional drivers from the Volunteer State will be three-time series champion Anthony White of Clinton, Rick Rogers of Knoxville, Tommy Kerr of Maryville, Randy Weaver of Crossville, Kayne Hickman of Soddy Daisy, Mike Weeks of Friendsville, Stacy Boles of Claxton, Brad Coffey of Friendsville, Dan Tipton of Kingston and April Farmer of Livingston. Plus, four-time Volunteer Speedway track champion Vic Hill of Morristown (1997, '98, 2000 & '05), Kerry Jones of Bristol, Mike Smith of Rogersville, Shanon Buckingham of Morristown, Jeff Maupin of Greeneville, Bryan Hendrix of Knoxville, Herman Goddard of Knoxville, Mark Douglas of Knoxville, Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Michael Jackson of Greeneville, Shane Roberts of Blountville, Bobby Mays of Jonesborough, John King Jr. of Kingsport, Randy Davidson of Morristown, and many more.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Indy 500 Fan Tour, will bring the excitement of the legendary Indianapolis 500 to Volunteer Speedway during the Spring Thaw 100 racing weekend. A full-size IndyCar Series racing simulator will allow fans to experience the thrill of driving an IndyCar around the famed "Brickyard." Fans will also be able to look over various items from drivers who have competed in the Indianapolis 500, including a collection of helmets from past and current drivers and a pair of driving gloves from two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves. An IndyCar Series safety display complete with in-car crash box with warning lights will be on display, along with pieces of brick and asphalt from the famed 2.5-mile oval. A lucky fan will win two tickets to the 2008 Indianapolis 500!
Pizza Plus (Mosheim location, manager Greg Palmer) and K&R Construction & Electrical will sponsor an Easter Egg hunt for kids beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, to be held behind the main grandstands. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids out for the fun-filled time, with all kinds of prizes to be given away to the youngsters.
To learn more about the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, visit their official Web site at www.advanceautopartsthunderseries.com ... contact Series Director Brad Byrd at (865) 919-5550, or Race Director Bill Reed at (865) 386-8637.
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