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View Full Version : County Line Raceway Opens Season Feb 25 & 26



Redclay Rebel
02-20-2011, 07:31 PM
February 19, 2011

Elm City, NC -- County Line Raceway plans to open its 2011 racing season on the weekend of February 25 and 26. The track will welcome back the Open Wheel Modifieds, after their stellar turn out for their November event. Also on deck are the ever popular Late Models and Thunder & Lightning divisions. Friday night will be practice for all three divisions with racing on Saturday. Friday, gates open at 4:00pm with practice from 6:00 until 9:00. Saturday, gates will open at 2:00pm with the Driver's Meeting starting at 4:30pm. Heat Races and Qualifying will follow practice and begin around 5:45pm. Features immediately follow and are scheduled for 7:00pm.



A big season is planned for the 3/8ths mile clay oval this season. Promoter, James Upchurch has scheduled 25 weekly events. County Line will start this season in February, earlier than in seasons past. Fans and drivers asked for the Open Wheel Modifieds to return and they will once a month throughout the season. The ARDC Midgets, based out of Pennsylvania will make their return during their “Southern Swing” in August. The Steel Block Bandits will headline the action twice this season, once in March and again in September. The ever popular Kid’s Nights return with Bike Races on June 4th and Car Rides on July 30th.



For those of you in the area, the Friday afternoon radio show returns this season! Steve Summerlin and Steve Vail will be on the air on 98.5 FM, "The Big Dawg" each Friday from 12:00-1:00 during "Kat's Kitchen" bringing you the latest news and discussion from County Line Raceway. Each week they will be joined in the studio by one of our drivers. The excitement starts Friday, February 25 at 12:00. Be sure to tune in and call in to speak to the drivers. This week, Steve and Steve will be joined by Open Wheel Modified drivers Eric and Russell Erwin both from Virginia.



Many changes have taken place during the offseason and the staff is set to welcome fans and drivers back to the track for opening weekend. One of the most noticeable improvements is the new addition to the scoring tower. Also, hand scoring is history, a scoring system has been installed. This should greatly enhance the racing action and speed up the show. A new pit entrance is also in the works. The PA system has been expanded down the back straightaway. A restroom has also been added to the infield pit area. Other various improvements have also taken place, as the staff attempts to make this one of the best tracks in the area.



On Saturday, the staff had their annual pre-season meeting. Owners, Carolyn and Edward Upchurch and the promoter, James Upchurch planned the event held at the American Legion building in Elm City. The majority of the staff will stay the same, however, one of the most notable new faces is that of our new pit announcer, JR Knotts. JR is a former SNRP announcer making the transition to dirt, we feel that he will be a great addition to our team. Steve Vail will remain the tower announcer. Scoring will stay the same with Tyler Skinner and Carol Woodruff. Also, in the tower will be Steve Summerlin spotting and communicating with the staff. Steve is also in charge of our public relations. Wendy Wall will be moving to the infield pit office where we will be offering drivers the opportunity to purchase their lap times, and will have payoff ready at the conclusion of each race, rather than the end of the night. Those familiar faces, eager to take your money each week are going to remain the same; Connie Batten and Jennifer Bryant in the pits and Linda Summerlin and Janice Jones in the grandstands. All pit stewards will return in their same positions; Dale Williams outside turn 1, Billy Page outside turn 2, Dan Robbins inside turn 2, Greg Skinner outside back straightaway, and Kenneth Page outside turn 4. Jimmy Skinner will return on the wrecker. Paul Harrison will move from the wrecker to a four wheeler to join Wesley Cogdell. A new addition to hopefully speed up track clean up is our new push vehicle with Brian Andrews behind the wheel. Jim Massengill and Garry Wilson remain our tech inspectors.



County Line Crazies, the time has come; the 2011 season has officially arrived. We hope to see you out for what should be one of the greatest years yet! For more information on County Line Raceway, please visit our website at www.countylineracewaync.com or call the track office at (252)985-1949.