LANCASTER, NY - Despite the snow on the ground the 2005 racing season is just around the corner in Western New York. With opening weekend just a little more than three months away, Jim Reid and his staff have been hard at work putting together the racing schedule for the upcoming season.
Once again the racing year will begin with Lancaster's annual Pre-Season Kickoff Party at Samuel's Grand Manor on Main St. in Clarence. This year the Kickoff Party will be Sunday, March 13 from 1-5 PM. Drag and stock car drivers can register for the 2005 season as well as meet with track officials and tech inspectors. Pizza and snacks will be served as well as a cash bar. Additionally, there will be televisions showing 2004 LRP race tapes and the live NASCAR race. It's a great way to begin the season.
Vendor opportunities are available for track sponsors and outside businesses. Track sponsors are free to set up a display, while outside vendors must pay a nominal fee. Contact Jennifer Fidanza at the LRP office to reserve your space.
The pre-season continues in April with two practice sessions. Pre-season testing for the stock cars will take place on Saturday, April 23 and 30.
The regular season for the stock cars begins on Sunday, May 1 at 2:30 with the 47th annual Queen City Clash. Highlighting the season opener will be the first round of the 2nd annual Holland Speedway/Lancaster Raceway Park Late Model Challenge Series. The popular battle between the Late Models drivers of both WNY race facilities returns in 2005 with LRP defending their 2004 series championship.
The TQ Midgets, Glen Campbell Chevrolet Street Stocks, Probity Construction Super Stocks, Bobcat of Buffalo Sportsman, and Advance Auto Parts Modifieds will also be in action to begin the year.
The most exciting change to the schedule in 2005 is the new two-day format for one of LRP's most popular events. The 12th annual Sunday Niagara Nostalgia Drags and Car Show will now take place over two days, July 23-24. Sunday Niagara has become one of the biggest drag racing reunions in the country with racers and fans coming in from all over the United States and Canada. In 2004, more than 600 cars participated competed in the race or car show.
To accommodate the expanded format, the stock car program for that weekend will move from Saturday night to Thursday, July 21. This gives a chance to race teams and fans from the surrounding areas and tracks to check out LRP in this special mid-week show.
In 2004, the US Open expanded to a three-day format and that event drew its largest car count ever. For the 17th edition of Lancaster's stock car season finale, the Open will once again take place over three days starting Friday, September 23. Every year, the US Open showcases some of the best stock car drivers in the Northeast with 200+ cars in competition in seven divisions of racing.
The complete 2005 racing schedule will be released shortly. Stay tuned to www.lancasterracing.com for the latest updates. Season tickets are now available, contact the LRP office at (716) 759-6818 for more information.
- By Dave Buchanan - (716) 207-1165 - DaveWBuf@yahoo.com
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