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Mike Leone
PULASKI, Penn. (March 7) - The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series is set to embark on its second season of action and co-directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone have announced the tentative 2008 schedule of events.
Thus far 12 events plus Night 1 of the Grand Nationals make up the slate consisting of seven speedways throughout western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. All of the events will pay a minimum of $1,200 to-win, $150 to-start and the 2008 champion will again receive $5,000 with positions two through nine also receiving point fund monies.
"We're pretty excited about the second season of FASTRAK here in the Northeast," acknowledged Emig. "Last year, over 60 drivers competed in the first year, which was tremendous. With myself at Mercer Raceway Park and Tri-City Speedway running the class weekly it has really accelerated the growth of the division as drivers now have the ability to compete three nights plus the Touring Series and the Grand Nationals. We know right now there are a minimum of 80 cars in the region and with all of the money up for grabs we're looking forward to a great season. These increased car counts will be a great benefit to the Touring Series events for everyone involved."
Currently the 2008 Touring Series is expected to kick off at Ron Nielson's Raceway 7 on May 2 at the Conneaut, Ohio oval. Those holding rain checks from last year's season ender at Raceway 7 can use them for admission. Raceway 7 will play host to the Series for their second stop on July 25.
McKean County Raceway will host three Touring events in 2008 with the first visit kicking off Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 24. Their second date will fall on the Fourth of July Weekend on Saturday the 5th. The East Smethport, Pa. track will once again host the Northeast Touring finale on Friday, September 26 with a large payoff again expected.
Mercer Raceway Park will end Memorial Day Weekend on Monday, May 26 with the first of two visits by the Touring Series in the "Steel Valley Classic". The competitive Series makes a return stop at the 3/8-mile historic oval on Saturday, September 13.
Second year member track Dog Hollow Speedway has agreed to mandate the Goodyear Tires on a weekly basis and will add a second Touring Series date at his Strongstown, Pa. facility. The cars and stars of FASTRAK will visit Jim & Sharon Michny's 4/10-mile speedway on Friday, June 20 and again on Friday, August 29.
A new stop on the 2008 Touring Series will be a visit to Expo Speedway. The Thursday, July 10 date will be held in conjunction with the Trumbull County Fair at the big 5/8-mile speedplant near Cortland, Ohio.
The second new stop will be at Bradford Speedway on Saturday, July 26. Track owner Dennis Thomas is thrilled to welcome in the FASTRAK Late Models- a concept he truly believes in at his ¼-mile oval part of his 50th anniversary season.
Eriez Speedway is a popular stop at Bobby Rohrer's facility just outside of Erie in Hammett, Pa. on Sunday, August 24. Eriez is a great location as it's easy and close access for both the northern and southern FASTRAK Northeast racers.
"We've worked very hard in coordinating these dates and keeping all of the events within our immediate area," explained Leone. "That's one reason why it's taken us time to release this schedule. For example Raceway 7 won't run FASTRAK weekly events when Dog Hollow has a Touring event. Mercer and McKean have worked together so that none of the five dates conflict with one another. Bradford has a great date on July 26 and neither Mercer nor McKean is running that night and Tri-City Speedway isn't running the next day. Eriez show will take place on a night when Tri-City isn't running. Hopefully Mother Nature will treat us better in 2008."
New this year will be a stand-alone date for Night 1 of the Grand Nationals. Each FASTRAK Region hosts Night 1 in their own region. This year's Northeast event will take place on Saturday, October 4 at Mercer Raceway Park. The event will pay $2,000 to-win and will only be open for those FASTRAK member racers that have competed in 15 events. The rain date is Sunday. Nights 2 and 3 will be held in the South, mostly likely in the Tennessee region, in mid to late October to determine the minimum $50,000 National FASTRAK Champion and the remaining positions.
Membership to join the FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series is $95 for the season. Each event has a $50-$100 entry fee depending on the payoff.
Anyone interested in joining the Series, hosting a Northeast Touring event, or sponsoring the Series either as a tile, associate, or contingency can contact the FASTRAK Northeast office at 724-964-9300 or e-mail info@fastraknortheast.com. For more information, check out the FASTRAK Northeast website at www.fastraknortheast.com.
2008 FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series (Tentative Schedule)
· Friday, May 2 Raceway 7
· Saturday, May 24 McKean County Raceway
· Monday, May 26 Mercer Raceway Park
· Friday, June 20 Dog Hollow Speedway
· Saturday, July 5 McKean County Raceway
· Thursday, July 10 Expo Speedway
· Friday, July 25 Raceway 7
· Saturday, July 26 Bradford Speedway
· Sunday, August 24 Eriez Speedway
· Friday, August 29 Dog Hollow Speedway
· Saturday, Sept. 13 Mercer Raceway Park
· Friday, Sept. 26 McKean County Raceway
Saturday, October 4 Mercer Raceway Park - Night 1 of Grand Nationals
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