R-W
03-13-2012, 02:47 AM
Volunteer Speedway opens 2012 racing season Saturday, March 17 with running of $10,000-to-win 'Spring Thaw'
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ Dillon and Coulter - plus Owens, Bloomquist, McDowell, Cook, Blankenship and others will be racing
BULLS GAP, Tenn. — After a cold winter around the East Tennessee region there is great anticipation to the arrival of the warmth of spring because race fans know the first green flag is almost ready to wave. NASCAR racing at nearby Bristol Motor Speedway isn’t the only round-track racing scheduled in the East Tennessee region the third weekend in March.
Volunteer Speedway looks forward to an exciting racing season in 2012, which will mark the 39th year of dirt racing at the track.
The season-opener at “The Gap” is scheduled Saturday, March 17, with running of $10,000-to-win 11th Annual Spring Thaw for Super Late Models. Also included on the racing program will be the Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro (Crate) Late Models running a $1,000-to-win 30-lap feature.
Heading the list of drivers expected to be present for the Spring Thaw include defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn.; Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitors Ty Dillon (2011 Automobile Racing Club of America national champion) of Lewisville, N.C. and Joey Coulter (2011 Camping World Truck Series Rookie-of-the-Year) of Miami Springs, Fla.; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga.; Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C.; Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn.; John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va.; Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill. – plus from around East Tennessee – five-time Volunteer Speedway Super Late Model champion Vic Hill of Morristown, Jeff Maupin of Greeneville, Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Mark Douglas of Knoxville, Mark Vineyard of Powell, Chad Ogle of Sevierville, Steve Smith of Powell, Mike Weeks of Friendsville, Jensen Ford of Piney Flats, Ryan King of Seymour, along with others.
The top-16 from Super Late Model qualifying will lock-in, with two B-mains (transferring top-four finishers from each) determining the 24-car starting field for the $10,000-to-win, 60-lap Spring Thaw main event on Saturday, March 17. Plus a 30-lap, $1,000-to-win Pro (Crate) Late Model feature.
Adult grandstand admission $25, youth (ages 12-15) $15, with kids 11-and-under admitted free. Pit passes and backside tier-parking $35 per person (regardless of age).
The pit gate will open on Saturday, March 17 at 2 p.m. and the grandstand gate at 4 p.m.
Hotlaps are tentatively scheduled to start at 7 p.m., to be followed by qualifying and then green flag racing action at 8:30 p.m.
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No coolers and no outside drinks/food permitted in front straightaway grandstands. Also, no lawn chairs (seatback cushions allowed).
Directions to Volunteer Speedway: South on Interstate 81 from Tennessee/Virginia state lines, take Exit 23 (Bulls Gap/Greeneville), then turn right onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Look for track entrance approximately 200 yards on left.
North on Interstate 81 from I-81/I-40 split (East of Knoxville, TN), take Exit 23, then turn left onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Continue underneath the interstate over-pass and track entrance approximately 300 yards ahead on left.
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Volunteer Speedway (Recording Only): (423) 235-5020 www.VolunteerSpeedway.com
Track Office – Weekdays Only 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: (423) 378-5942
Phyllis Loven (Track Owner): (423) 676-9081
Karen Tunnell – Marketing Director: (276) 393-9594
Robert Walden – Media/Public Relations: (423) 928-9644
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ Dillon and Coulter - plus Owens, Bloomquist, McDowell, Cook, Blankenship and others will be racing
BULLS GAP, Tenn. — After a cold winter around the East Tennessee region there is great anticipation to the arrival of the warmth of spring because race fans know the first green flag is almost ready to wave. NASCAR racing at nearby Bristol Motor Speedway isn’t the only round-track racing scheduled in the East Tennessee region the third weekend in March.
Volunteer Speedway looks forward to an exciting racing season in 2012, which will mark the 39th year of dirt racing at the track.
The season-opener at “The Gap” is scheduled Saturday, March 17, with running of $10,000-to-win 11th Annual Spring Thaw for Super Late Models. Also included on the racing program will be the Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro (Crate) Late Models running a $1,000-to-win 30-lap feature.
Heading the list of drivers expected to be present for the Spring Thaw include defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn.; Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitors Ty Dillon (2011 Automobile Racing Club of America national champion) of Lewisville, N.C. and Joey Coulter (2011 Camping World Truck Series Rookie-of-the-Year) of Miami Springs, Fla.; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga.; Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C.; Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn.; John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va.; Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill. – plus from around East Tennessee – five-time Volunteer Speedway Super Late Model champion Vic Hill of Morristown, Jeff Maupin of Greeneville, Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Mark Douglas of Knoxville, Mark Vineyard of Powell, Chad Ogle of Sevierville, Steve Smith of Powell, Mike Weeks of Friendsville, Jensen Ford of Piney Flats, Ryan King of Seymour, along with others.
The top-16 from Super Late Model qualifying will lock-in, with two B-mains (transferring top-four finishers from each) determining the 24-car starting field for the $10,000-to-win, 60-lap Spring Thaw main event on Saturday, March 17. Plus a 30-lap, $1,000-to-win Pro (Crate) Late Model feature.
Adult grandstand admission $25, youth (ages 12-15) $15, with kids 11-and-under admitted free. Pit passes and backside tier-parking $35 per person (regardless of age).
The pit gate will open on Saturday, March 17 at 2 p.m. and the grandstand gate at 4 p.m.
Hotlaps are tentatively scheduled to start at 7 p.m., to be followed by qualifying and then green flag racing action at 8:30 p.m.
__________
No coolers and no outside drinks/food permitted in front straightaway grandstands. Also, no lawn chairs (seatback cushions allowed).
Directions to Volunteer Speedway: South on Interstate 81 from Tennessee/Virginia state lines, take Exit 23 (Bulls Gap/Greeneville), then turn right onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Look for track entrance approximately 200 yards on left.
North on Interstate 81 from I-81/I-40 split (East of Knoxville, TN), take Exit 23, then turn left onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Continue underneath the interstate over-pass and track entrance approximately 300 yards ahead on left.
____________
Volunteer Speedway (Recording Only): (423) 235-5020 www.VolunteerSpeedway.com
Track Office – Weekdays Only 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: (423) 378-5942
Phyllis Loven (Track Owner): (423) 676-9081
Karen Tunnell – Marketing Director: (276) 393-9594
Robert Walden – Media/Public Relations: (423) 928-9644