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Mike Leone
PULASKI, Penn. (January 5) - The FASTRAK Racing Series is pleased to welcome Hesston Speedway on board as a 2010 weekly-sanctioned Late Model speedway. Hesston will also host it's first ever Northeast Touring Series event on Saturday, August 7.
Hesston marks the first FASTRAK-sanctioned speedway in central Pennsylvania as it's located approximately seven miles south of Huntingdon just off Route 26 near Raystown Lake in Hesston. The half-mile dirt oval owned by Dave Eriksen and promoted by Dusty Hertzler will run Saturday nights and feature the FASTRAK Late Models 10-12 times.
"We're thrilled to have Hesston join FASTRAK and be part of the Northeast," expressed Northeast Region Co-Director Vicki Emig. "It's great to finally have a presence in central Pa. and hopefully that will open up the doors in the future for other speedways to the east of them. We met with Dusty a couple years ago about expanding FASTRAK into central Pa., but things just didn't come together at the time. With Dusty now getting his first chance at promoting it's great to see him give FASTRAK an opportunity."
Last year, a record nine speedways made up FASTRAK Northeast with a record 208 different drivers competing. Hesston will not only give racers in central Pa. the opportunity to run FASTRAK, but give those Dog Hollow Speedway racers that live to the east a chance to compete a second night without traveling hours away.
"I felt it was important to go FASTRAK," stated Hertzler. "They have a great program from their rules enforcement, to tires, and great benefits with all their point funds. I want our drivers to make the most out of going crate Late Model racing. That was the selling point. I put a feeler out recently and got some positive response. Hopefully with this official announcement it will get the ball rolling."
"I want people to know that I'm not trying to replace the current Limited Late Model division," explained Hertzler. "I really felt the need to have an economical, affordable Late Model class and feel FASTRAK is the answer. The cost savings is incredible and you don't have to look too far to away to see its success. Not only will this hopefully open up some doors for FASTRAK in central Pa., but it helps avoiding to run the same divisions as other area Saturday night speedways. I think the Street Stock guys need to take a look at this class and this way the option will be there."
While Hertzler hopes to have 10 cars on opening night, many fans at Hesston and in central Pa. will get their first chance to see the FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series when they make their first ever appearance to Hesston on Saturday, August 7. This event will be held in conjunction with Dog Hollow Speedway's Touring Series event the night before.
The FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series will begin year number four in 2010. Past $5,000 champions are Alan Dellinger, Max Blair, and David Scott. In 2009, several records were shattered. Seventeen events were scheduled with 15 of them being completed and 138 drivers competing; all three being records. The average car count was over 32 per night with a record 43 at Tri-City Speedway over Labor Day Weekend. The top 12 drivers in the final 2009 Touring Series points will receive a record cash payouts with positions 13-15 receiving contingencies at the awards banquet on Saturday, January 16 at the Normandy Banquet Center/Hickory VFW in Hermitage, Pa.
"We're happy with how the 2010 Touring Series schedule is coming together," stated Northeast Co-Director Mike Leone. "The Hesston date gives us 13 events thus far, which is really good as we're still waiting on other speedways to give us dates. The Dog Hollow-Hesston weekend should be a fun weekend for the racers as we coordinated it to save on travel."
Hesston has already begun the process of improving the speedway grounds in anticipation of the 2010 season. Fifty loads of clay have been placed on the track and a new main entrance to the speedway grounds has been configured along with the ongoing efforts to reconfigure both the inside and outside pit areas. Fans and racers attending the speedway in 2010 will be greeted with better parking access and will notice other major aesthetic improvements.
Hesston expects to release their 2010 schedule around the first of the year.
For more information on Hesston Speedway, check out their website at www.hesstonspeedway.com or call 814-658-2823. Dusty Hertzler can be reached at hesstonspeedway@hotmail.com or 7174-574-6380.
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