Heroes Homecoming reunion at Lancaster Raceway Park June 17

Courtesy John Bisci

LANCASTER, N.Y. – Lancaster Raceway Park (formerly known as Lancaster Speedway) will present its annual Heroes Homecoming reunion Saturday, June 17, from 1-5 p.m. The event reunites retired Lancaster Speedway drivers and officials with race fans to relive the good old days of stock car racing at the 48-year-old, half-mile asphalt track near Buffalo, N.Y. The reunion is sponsored by UBS and the FOAR SCORE Fan Club and also will feature vintage stock car racing in the afternoon and evening at the speedway.

The speedway is extending an invitation to all retired Lancaster Speedway drivers and officials. Drivers and officials wishing to participate are asked to contact Marilyn Toal at (585) 663-0004 as soon as possible to be placed on the VIP guest list.

Retired racing stars who already have agreed to participate this year include: 1967 Lancaster Modified champion Chuck Boos, Modified legend Dutch Hoag, Mike Loescher, Fred Butz, Bobby Owens, Late Model racer Frank Batista, early-1970s Late Model and Modified driver Dave VanValkenburg, Jim Smoker, Roger Boas (driver of the famous No. 114 Falcon and coupe), ‘70s Late Model and Modified driver Jim Howard, Modified and Supermodified standout Tommy Leeson, Bobby Hudson, Brian Horn, dirt and asphalt Modified superstar Ken Meahl, Phil Edwards, Bill Bitterman, Rod Spaulding, Turner Brothers’ Modified and Supermodified pilot Gary Reichert, Larry Nye, Dick Kluth, Dan Willmes, Dean Wright, former All-Canadian champion Ted Renshaw, and the father-son Mini-Stock team of Ron McDonald Sr. and Ron McDonald Jr. Dozens more are expected to sign on as the event draws near. Last year, 53 heroes returned to the famed oval and drag strip

The afternoon’s activities will include an autograph session, group photo with all drivers and officials by speedway photographer Dan Kollander, vintage race car display, Lancaster Speedway video and memorabilia display and vintage stock car racing. Veteran motorsports announcer Ken Hangauer Jr. has been invited to act as M.C. The speedway will offer “1960s prices” at its concession stands from 1-5 p.m.

Vintage Lancaster Speedway photos – as well as copies of John Bisci's book, "Lancaster Heroes," a pictorial history of Lancaster Speedway from 1966-76 – will be available at the event.

Lancaster Raceway Park also will present a complete program of stock car racing on its half-mile paved oval at 6:30 p.m. Classes will include: Modifieds, Late Models, SST Sportsman, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, TQ Midgets and vintage race cars.

Fans attending the 1-5 p.m. Heroes Homecoming session will be admitted at half price until 4 p.m.

Regular admission prices will be charged after 4 p.m. – $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $5 for kids 8-15. Kids under the age of 8 are admitted at $1.

Lancaster Raceway Park is located at 57 Gunnville Road in Lancaster, N.Y., just east of N.Y. State Thruway Exit 49. For more information, please call the speedway at (716) 759-6818 or visit online at www.lancasterracing.com.