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4/20/2008 Hagerstown Speedway & The TeamRAACE Present the 1st Annual TeamRAACE Hospitality event for 2008 3/7/2008 ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SUPER DIRTcar SERIES: ADVANCE NOTICES 3/7/2008 RAIN AND COLD FORCE HAGERSTOWN SPEEDWAY TO CANCEL ANOTHER SHOW 3/6/2008 Hagerstown Tosses 1st Green Flag To Open 2008 Advance Auto Parts Series 2/23/2008 HAGERSTOWN'S RACE-A-RAMA BEGINS SEASON 2/20/2008 HAGERSTOWN'S 2008 OPENER DELAYED FOR A WEEK 2/20/2008 HAGERSTOWN UNVEILS 2008 SCHEDULE
April 20 2008 By Brad Brickel, The RAACE Foundation On Saturday June 7th, join “The Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere” at Frank Plessinger’s Hagerstown Speedway for the first TeamRAACE Membership Program Hospitality event of 2008. TeamRAACE members will be treated to an evening of members only hospitality access behind the main grandstands. Hospitality includes food, drinks and a special member only autograph session. The TeamRAACE Membership Program engages individuals, race tracks, corporations, sanctioning bodies and race teams to help The RAACE Foundation raise awareness and funds through an incentive based membership program. With a Discount Program through The TeamRAACE Membership Program members can purchase discounted Hagerstown Speedway admission tickets among many other products and services. Individual TeamRAACE Memberships cost $40 and includes: Child Sexual Abuse Education and Awareness Materials to share with friends and family members, the RAACE to $2,000,000 Fundraising Kit, Name Listing on www.RAACE.org, TeamRAACE Member Card, TeamRAACE Key Chain & T-Shirt, TeamRAACE membership Vehicle Sticker, Bi-Monthly Racing Report, Discount Program and Hospitality Access. TeamRAACE Driver Memberships costs $75 and includes the same premiums as Individual Members. Also included for the racer are: The Online Build a Deck (Custom Cause Marketing Sponsorship Document), The RAACE Foundation Public Speaking Tutorial, and Access to Online Technical Seminars. All fans will take in the Thunder and Lightning of USAC Sprint car racing, and the weekly program of Super Late Model racing. USAC Sprint Cars feature the stars of Kasey Kahne Racing - Brady Bacon and Brad Sweet as well as Tony Stewart’s top drivers - Levi Jones and Tracy Hines. Also, the Super Late Models of TeamRAACE driver Alan Sagi and Owner Scott LeBarron will be on hand. They will be joined on the ultra fast ½ mile speedway by local hot shoe and points leader Roy Deese, Jr., also expected to be racing that evening are star late model pilots Billy Wampler, Gary Stuhler, and Jim Yoder. The highlight of the evening is Hagerstown Speedway “Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere” charity auction to benefit The RAACE Foundation. Many stars have donated race used sheetmetal, driving suits, and tee shirts. TeamRAACE Driver Stevie Smith has donated a fan experience for one lucky person, according to Smith: “Smith Racing will offer one lucky person the opportunity to be crew member for the night. During the Hagerstown Speedway Pennsylvania Speedweek show on Wednesday, July 2nd we will provide a pit pass, official crew tee shirt and view from the Hauler, of course, we will also put them to work in the pits. Hopefully, we can educate another fan as to why we are out here racing for kids. The RAACE Foundation needs your support, so we are happy to donate anything we can to the cause.” For those that don’t know – Smith Racing, Alan Sagi and Scott LeBarron and others donate their paint schemes to The RAACE Foundation, because according to Stevie Smith: “It is the right thing to do.” To learn more about how abuse happens and hot to protect you and your family, please visit The RAACE Foundation at www.raace.org.
March 21
2008 The 2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series opener, 7th Annual North-South Shootout at Hagerstown Speedway on Saturday March 22 has been canceled and will not be rescheduled. An unseasonable combination of cold temperatures, already wet grounds and more inclement weather in the forecast forced track and series officials to cancel the long-anticipated show prior to noon on Friday. The early announcement allowed ample time to contact many of the traveling teams as well as alert even more fans that were planning to attend the popular stop in Maryland. Hagerstown Speedway will return to action next Saturday night March 29, with their Grand Opening. The Late Model Sportsman, and Pure Stocks will be making their first appearance and the Late Models will return for a Non Points Regular Show. Pits open at 3 p.m., Grandstands at 4 p.m., hot laps at 5:30 p.m. General admission is just $10, pits $18, children under 12 free general admission. For more information visit the Hagerstown Speedway website at www.hagerstownspeedway.com or phone the speedway at 301-582-0640.
March 17 2008 By Tom Skibinski WHAT Continuing the celebration of its 10th consecutive year of partnership, the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series kicks off March 22 at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway with the $6,000-to-win 100-lap Big-Block Modified main event headlining the 'North-South Shootout' across the Mason-Dixon line. The 2008 edition of the Advance Series features point events in four states and two Canadian provinces with 23 extra-distance races spread across the region running from March through October. WHERE Hagerstown Speedway is located 6 miles West of Hagerstown on US Route 40 (OldNational Pike). Take I-81 to Huyett's Exit #6B then Route 40 West; track is located four miles on right. WHEN Hagerstown pit gates will swing open at 3 p.m. and grandstand seating is scheduled to begin at 4 o’clock. Big-Block Modified Integra Shocks Time Trials follow 5:30 p.m. practice with qualifying heats coming immediately after. TICKETS Adult General Admission grandstand tickets at Hagerstown are $25 for adults ($30 reserved) and pit passes cost $30 each. For more information, contact Hagerstown Speedway at 301/582-0640. All tickets and pit passes will be available at the gate on race day. ABOUT THE TRACK Featuring Late Model, Late Model Sportsman and Pure Stock classes every Saturday throughout the summer, Hagerstown Speedway is a true 1/2 mile track with straightaways over 900 ft. long & 70 ft. wide. The track is 90 ft. wide in the turns and the racing surface is made of the finest red clay in the nation. The smooth, wide surface makes Hagerstown one of the fastest and safest dirt tracks in the U.S. on which to race. The Integra Shocks Fast Timer four of the six years running, Billy Decker established the single lap record in an Advance Auto Parts Series event when he circled the track in 19.016 seconds (94.657 mph) on June 23, 2005. PREVIOUS WINNERS The competition has been fierce in the initial events staged at Hagerstown as last year the fifth different winner in six trips was crowned and only five drivers have repeated their finish among the front-five. With rain canceling two of the eight events ---even delaying the ‘05 race until June--- scheduled at Hagerstown beginning in 2000, defending champion Tim Fuller, Brett Hearn (2006), Alan Johnson (2005), Gary Tomkins (2004, 2002) and Steve Paine (2001) have made their way to the winner's circle; all are slated to return in 2008. Since the ‘01 Series debut in Maryland, 80 drivers have qualified for feature race competition with Hearn (7.7 ave. finish), Johnson (8.0), Billy Decker (8.5), Paine (9.3), Vic Coffey (10.5) and Fuller (10.8) the only drivers to make the starting grid all six years. ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SUPER DIRTcar SERIES Hagerstown Speedway (6 Eevts) DATE LAPS FIRST - SECOND - THIRD - FOURTH - FIFTH 3/31/07 105 Tim Fuller - Brett Hearn - Gary Tomkins - Billy
Decker - Rick Laubach 6/23/05 100 Alan Johnson - Pat Ward - Matt Sheppard - Vic Coffey - Chad Brachmann 3/27/04 100 Gary Tomkins - Tim Fuller - Brett Hearn - Billy Decker - Jerry Higbie 3/29/03 100 -RAIN- 3/30/02 100 Gary Tomkins - Bob McCreadie - Alan Johnson - Tim Fuller - Billy Decker 3/31/01 100 Steve Paine - Jack Johnson - Danny Johnson - Tim McCreadie - Jimmy Horton 4/8/00 100 -RAIN 2007 Billy Decker 19.135 sec. 94.068 mph 2006 Billy Decker 19.391 sec. 92.827 mph 2005 Billy Decker *19.016 sec. 94.657 mph 2004 Bucky Kell 19.054 sec. 94.468 mph 2003 -RAIN- 2002 Billy Decker 19.275 sec. 93.385 mph 2001 Chuck Bower 19.466 sec. 92.469 mph 2000 -RAIN- *Track Record TRACK HISTORY Once a relatively unknown race track, Hagerstown Speedway has been transformed by current owner Frank Plessinger into one of the most respected facilities in the country. The prized piece of property was initially named Conococheague ---after the creek that borders the backstretch--- Speedway when construction began in 1946 under the direction of Stanley Schtrompf. The first race was held the following year and after just a half-dozen seasons the track was sold to local businessman Ed Geotz. Another ownership change took place in the mid-1950s and the trio of Wayne and Allen Stouffer and colleague Adrian Durham remained intact for two decades thereafter. Jack Gunn assumed promotion in 1975 and added Hagerstown to the KARS circuit. Gunn's passing in 1980 opened the door for Plessinger ---at the time owner of P&W Excavating--- and the storied half-miler has prospered ever since. In 1983 Hagerstown gained national recognition when it became the first track to offer a $50,000-to-win race. When Plessinger officially purchased the track the following year he introduced Speedweek which for the first time ever presented Sprints, Late Models and Modifieds on the same program that boasted a $200,000 total purse. Today, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified and World of Outlaws Late Model Series events continue to attract out-of-state travelers to Hagerstown with both tour stops regarded among the annual track highlights. All-time Advance Auto Parts Series winner Brett Hearn is also the winningest Modified driver in Hagerstown history, with the ’08 season-opener in Maryland marking the 100th event run since 1983. Hearn has won nearly a quarter of the main events staged there, with the latest victory on March 2 his 23rd career triumph. Series star Billy Decker’s lone win came in a 100-lap Small-Block event while Matt Sheppard captured a pair of century grinds on the same day to make history during Octoberfest Weekend in 2004. Jimmy Phelps is riding a one-race win streak after copping the 30-lap Big-Block Modified finale this past Saturday at the Plessinger speedplant. Hagerstown Speedway - All-Time Modified Feature Winners (1983-3/15/08) *Total includes 76 Big-Block events. WINS DRIVER FIRST LAST 23 Brett Hearn 8/24/84 3/2/08 12 Doug Hoffman 9/30/90 10/27/02 10 Bob McCreadie 3/11/90 10/2/94 7 Billy Pauch 10/23/88 10/31/99 5 Kenny Brightbill 5/20/84 10/27/02 4 Craig VonDohren 9/29/91 3/25/01 3 Frank Cozze 10/15/89 3/16/97 3 Mike Romano 3/24/96 3/27/99 3 J.R. Heffner 10/29/00 10/30/05 2 Jack Johnson 8/23/85 3/4/90 2 Roger Laureno 4/5/92 3/26/00 2 Gary Tomkins 3/30/02 3/27/04 2 Matt Sheppard 10/31/04 10/31/04 2 Alan Johnson 3/23/03 6/23/05 1 Freddy Brightbill 6/26/83 1 Ray Bateman Jr. 3/12/89 1 Lou Blaney 3/12/89 1 Scott Irwin 10/15/95 1 Bruce Kline 3/16/97 1 Jeff Strunk 3/1/98 1 Deron Rust 3/27/99 1 Mitch Gibbs 10/31/99 1 Steve Paine 3/31/01 1 Todd Burley 10/28/01 1 Jamie Mills 2/24/02 1 Andy Bachetti 10/26/03 1 Brian Weaver 10/26/03 1 Keith Hoffman 3/7/04 1 Billy Decker 10/29/06 1 Danny Johnson 10/29/06 1 Rick Laubach 3/25/07 1 Tim Fuller 3/31/07 1 Kevin Hirthler 10/28/07 1 Wade Hendrickson 10/28/07 1 Jimmy Phelps 3/15/08
March 7
2008 Once again rain and cold forced Hagerstown Speedway to cancel its scheduled event for Saturday March 8th, and its rain date. The Octoberfest qualifier for Small Block Modifieds will not be rescheduled. “The weather got us again” said promoter Frank Plessinger, “With standing water still in the infield from heavy rain earlier this week, and more heavy rain on the way, along with cold temperatures, have made the conditions unfavorable for the fans and competitors.” Poor weather conditions have claimed two of the first three scheduled events at Hagerstown. Next Saturday, March 15th, will include 30 lap features for the Late Models and Modfieds paying $2,000 to win. Sunday May 16th will be used as a possible weather date. Warm-ups begin at 1 p.m. with race time approximately 1:30 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m., pit gates at 10 a.m. General admission is $15.00, reserved seat $20.00, pits $20.00, children under 12 are free general admission.
March 6 2008 Weedsport, NY – March 5, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director For the ninth consecutive year Hagerstown Speedway is scheduled to kick off the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series in Maryland. Launching the 10th straight year of active involvement by Roanoke, Virginia-based Advance Auto Parts, the 2008 edition falls on Easter Weekend with the 'North-South Shootout' 100-lap feature winner collecting a $6,000 top prize on Saturday, March 22. "We always anticipate one of the best Big-Block fields of the year for the Series opener,” said legendary promoter Frank Plessinger, who helped christen Hagerstown's 61st season on March 2 with reigning Mr. DIRTcar points king Brett Hearn winning the 30-lap Modified opening day main event. Hearn, a 24-time feature winner at Hagerstown, also captured the 2006 Advance Auto Parts Series century grind. “We always have a great show under the lights and with the biggest stars in the business here, the fans are in for a real treat.” Fresh off his Alltel DIRTcar Nationals title shared with Billy Pauch at Volusia Speedway Park in February, Hearn will be looking for his second victory of the young season at Hagerstown. “We’re always confident coming here with all the success we’ve had,” said Hearn, 49, who owns the all-time Advance Auto Parts Series mark of 98 tour victories. “We’ve finished in the top-five three of the past four years so we’re hoping to get off to another fast start. Doing well in Florida was a big boost for everybody on the team and picking up a tour win at Hagerstown would be a great way to begin the season up north.” Last season the battle for supremacy in Hagerstown’s tour-lid-lifter came down to past Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block champions Tim Fuller, Gary Tomkins, Billy Decker and Hearn, with eventual ’07 overall points runner-up Fuller dominating the action to score his first Series triumph in the Old Line State. Runner-up Hearn edged Tomkins on the last circuit in a race that was extended to 105 laps while Decker settled for fourth ahead of hard charger Rick Laubach, who started 26th in the 30-car feature race field. The 2008 Advance Auto Parts Series points race opener is expected to attract all the top teams in Modified racing today as they contend for the prestigious Hoosier-Sunoco Mr. DIRTcar Championship and the biggest share of the season-ending point fund in excess of $200,000. Hagerstown's century grind leads off the 23-race Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRTcar Series with the Northeast's premier Big-Block tour running from March through October and featuring extra-distance races at 17 dirt tracks in four states and two Canadian Provinces. As the defending Hoosier-Sunoco Mr. DIRTcar points champion, Hearn will have his hands full holding off all-time DIRTcar Big-Block Modified feature winner Alan Johnson, two-time Hagerstown tour titlist Gary Tomkins (2002, '04) and inaugural Hagerstown race winner Steve Paine (2001). Upstarts looking to dethrone the cagey veterans are Empire State wheelmen Jimmy Phelps, Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard, Danny Johnson, Billy Dunn and first-year tour regular Ryan Phelps. The competition has been fierce in the initial six events staged at Hagerstown as 19 drivers have finished among the front-five with only five wheelmen ---Decker, Tomkins, Alan Johnson, Hearn and Fuller--- able to repeat. Still in search of his first Series checkered flag at Hagerstown, Decker (19.016 sec./94.657 mph) set the one-lap tour speed record around the ultra-smooth Hagerstown half-miler in 2005, the same season the race won by Alan Johnson when the event was rain-delayed until June. Advance Series events in 2000 and ’03 were lost altogether due to early spring precipitation. Joining the mighty Advance Auto Parts Modifieds in the doubleheader program will be the Late Models. Pits gates are scheduled to unlock at 3:00 p.m., grandstands open at 4:00 p.m. with warm-ups starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by Integra Shocks Big-Block Time Trials. Hagerstown Speedway is located on U.S. Route 40, four miles west of I-81. For additional information, log into www.superdirtcarseries.com, contact the speedway office at 301/582-0640 or visit the track website.
February 23, 2008 The 61st season at
Hagerstown Speedway officially got underway
Wednesday, February 20th with the 23rd Annual Race-A-Rama show at
the Hagerstown's Valley Mall where nearly forty participants brought
their race cars for display.
February 20,
2008 Hopes
were high that Hagerstown Speedway would open on schedule this Saturday,
February 23rd but the decision has been made to delay the Northeast opener
for late models and Syracuse qualifier for big block modifieds a week to
Saturday March 1st.
February 20, 2008 Following an exciting 60th Anniversary
season, Frank Plessinger's Hagerstown Speedway is
carrying the momentum forward into #61. Open wheeled sprint fans will again have several events as the USAC wingless sprints will return to the speedway on June 7th as a repeat of an exciting show last season. Hagerstown will again host Wednesday's Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Pennsylvania Speedweek on July 2nd joined by an EMMR (Eastern Museum of Motorsports Racing) restored race car exhibition. The 410 super sprints return for the Octoberfest on October 25-26. New this season will be the addition of
the 358 sprints to the 34th Annual Hub City event
for a separate 50-lap events for the open wheelers. Other specials include the Ernie's 25 Special, another top dollar event for the late models and scheduled July 12th while the Ernie's V8 pure stocks get their recognition in the 13th Annual Cornett Tribute and Ernie's Salvage Yard Special on August 16th. The 21st Annual Tommy Thompson Demo Derby is set for September 6th while the
enduro cars run six events and then a championship
event. |
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