USA Raceway’s Bring’n It Back!
Just three weeks had passed since officials of USA Raceway had finally met there match in the form of a lightning storm that knocked out the power supply to the lights that surround the clay oval. So when racing action was delayed this last Saturday as Mother Nature waved the yellow flag again but with a brief shower around 5 o’clock; track officials, racers, and a few fans openly discussed ways of salvaging the race night.
Additional track prep was very evident but with the numerous laps of help from nearly every competitor on hand, the rain riddled track surface was ready to go racing in a much quicker time than most thought possible. Adjustments were made to each division’s schedule in hopes of a complete night of action for everybody and most importantly before the 11pm curfew. Heat races for each division went smoothly followed by the main event for the Factory Stock division with former pavement superstar Kelly Jones taking home her first career victory on dirt. The Factory Stock results were then posted and paid out immediately just as any other Saturday night goes for the ultra-competitive local division.
Up next would be what most anticipated being a championship showdown between the veteran Terry Hill and newcomer Daniel Stricker. As things began to heat up, the Unifirst Super Stock main event was halted with a lap 9 caution flag. Mother Nature would strike again but this time for good. As this round of rain proved to be more than the seared racing surface could handle, making the night of any future competition impossible to continue. The Super Stock main event has been declared official exactly as they crossed the finish line on the last completed lap. With that lap being the 8th of 15, more than 50% of the race was complete when the red flag was shown. That finishing order is under review at this time but officials were optimistic that the final results as well as all payouts would be available by Friday morning. As a thank you gesture to those teams that have also been more than patient while sorting thru this decision, USA is offering each Super Stock driver that competed on this rain filled night, free entry to the next scheduled race including the drivers pit pass or any pill draw fees.
The Hornet main event, which was on deck at the time of the rain, has been moved to combine their next race on August 6th. That night will start with the first hornet main event lining up just as it was posted on the 23rd, as well as a new slate of heat races and main events as originally planned. 2 main events, 2 payouts, and two big chances to advance in the chase for the championship will be the first of its kind to happen all in one big day. The drivers that were in attendance on the 23rd already have one wristband which would cover their entry in the first race but not the second. In appreciation of those drivers continued loyalty, USA will gladly pick up the cost of the second pit pass for those same drivers! So now we’ve got ourselves a 2 for NONE in the Hornet division come August 6th!!
The USRA Modifieds will also go for a first of their own as well with an attempt at conquering two Main Events at the Southwest Center of Speed all on the evening of August the 6th. The first main event will begin battle from the previously posted lineup with a smooth $1,000 worth of cash waiting for the victor. The second round of events will get back to the good old fashion rivalry that continues to burn deep in the newest generation of racers looking to add their names to the USA storybook and the USA check book. A checkbook that is now on point to write two checks for the big $1,000 as officials have also decided to make both events the biggest paying Modified weekly purse in the state of Arizona.
But wait, we’ve got more! “We have the most loyal and deserving fans that any promoter could ever hope for,” said USA promoter Benji Lyons. “I felt like we needed to step up and make sure they know how thankful we are for them. Without the fans in the stands, we’ve got nothing.” Even though the posted rain check policy was followed perfectly Lyons wasn’t satisfied with that, “Our fans deserve more than Mother Nature allowed this last week and want the fans to know that we are looking at ways to improve the rain check system.” While doing so USA officials came up with a little plan of their own that Lyons quickly agreed with. As one big thank you to all of the USA Raceways fans, September 24th will now become the 1st Annual USA Raceway Fan Appreciation Night! All fans will be honored as they enter the grandstands for absolutely FREE! Tell your friends, bring your friends. This night is for you!!!
To keep up on all the latest news and happenings please sign up for USA Raceway E-News. The track update registration can be found at the top of the home page www.usaraceway.net
The 2011 USA Raceway Schedule can be previewed online at http://www.usaraceway.net/schedule
USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 265, then 1.6 miles south on Craycroft Road, which turns into Los Reales. For more information please, contact the track at 520-574-8515 or additional information regarding USA Raceway can be found at www.usaraceway.net
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