Gerry McNamara
Weedsport, NY — September 23, 2009 – By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
From the hard court at Syracuse University across town to the hard clay of the Syracuse Mile, former all-Big East playmaker Gerry McNamara will lead the fastest break of all during Super DIRT Week, Oct. 7-11, serving as Grand Marshall for the 38th edition of DIRTcar Northeast’s premier event.
The popular 3-point shooting guard for the Orange from 2002-06 will first be introduced on ‘Media Day’ to officially kick off Super DIRT Week XXXVIII on Thursday, Oct. 8, then be recognized Sunday afternoon, Oct. 11 when he gives the ceremonial command “Gentlemen, start your engines” to send off the mighty Big-Block Modifieds as they contend for the coveted Super DIRTcar Series ‘Rite Aid’ 200 Championship crown.
“It’s certainly fitting that a national caliber athlete like Gerry will be participating in a national motorsports event like this,” said World Racing Group Chief Executive Officer Brian Carter. “Like Gerry, I’m looking forward to an exciting week of racing at the Fairgrounds as well as all of the action at the many events that make Super DIRT Week the most exciting five days in motorsports.”
McNamara played a pivotal role on the 2003 squad that helped bring the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship to Syracuse for the first time. One of the most beloved players in school history, the Scranton, Pa. native was named in July as an assistant coach for the 2009-10 season at his alma mater, located just minutes from the Moody Mile on the New York State Fairgrounds.
G-Mac is scheduled to make a special appearance Thursday on the fairgrounds with the annual press gathering held in the Infield Conference Building beginning at 12noon. Prior to taking center stage across from the start/finish on Sunday, his two-hour visit will include a pre-race autograph session with the qualified drivers joining in under the main grandstand at 11:45 a.m.
The appearance of Gerry McNamara is made possible through DIRTcar Racing Northeast’s direct affiliation with flagship stations Classic Rock TK99 and TK105, each of which are serviced by the locally owned and operated radio company Galaxy Communications, LP and recognized as the ‘Official Media Partners of Super DIRT Week’ in 2009.
Super DIRT Week opens trackside on Wednesday, Oct. 7 with Modified ‘Happy Hour’ slated for 3-5pm, while Integra Shocks Time Trials for both Big-Blocks and 358-Modifieds plus the 358 and Sportsman futures events jam the Thursday card.
The Friday program is headlined by Big-Block Triple 20 and 358-Modified Twin 20 qualifying races plus Sportsman Time Trials before first-time Big-Block and Pro Stock pilots contest in their own finale.
The weekend is filled with main events for DIRTcar Northeast’s top traveling series — Syracuse 150 358-Modified Championship and Sportsman Championship races on Saturday, with the prestigious Rite Aid 200 and Pro Stock Championship grabbing the spotlight on Sunday.
For more information about Super DIRT Week, including ticket order placement, lap sponsorship and vendor space availability, please contact DIRTcar Racing NE Headquarters during the week at 315/834-6606, or visit www.superdirtweekonline.com for a complete SDW schedule of events. DIRTcar Northeast PR Coordinator Jen Brown (cell 315/224-2522, jbrown@dirtcar.com) can also be reached at the Weedsport office (315/834-6606 x239) during normal business hours.
DIRTcar Racing Northeast main office is located in Weedsport, New York on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds, home of DIRTcar All-Star Weekend in July. DIRTcar Northeast’s crown jewel event —Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse— runs October 7-11, 2009 featuring Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Ticket and schedule information is available by contacting the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during the day or logging into www.superdirtweekonline.com anytime.
The Big-Block Super DIRTcar Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Hoosier Racing Tire www.hoosiertire.com and VP Racing Fuels www.vpracingfuels.com. Promotional partners include Rite Aid Corporation www.riteaid.com, Dig Safely New York www.digsafelynewyork.com and the University of Northwestern Ohio www.unoh.com and the contingency sponsors are Bars Leaks www.barsproducts.com, Bert Transmission www.berttransmission.com, Bicknell Racing Products www.bicknellracingproducts.com, Bilstein Shocks www.bilstein.com, Brodix Cylinder Heads www.brodix.com, Ferris Industries www.ferrisindustries.com, Integra Shocks www.integrashocksandsprings.com, Intercomp www.intercomp-racing.com, KSE Racing Products www.kse-racing.com, Motorsports Safety Systems www.motorsportssafetysystems.com, Penske Shocks, www.penskeshocks.com, Racing Electronics www.racingelectronics.com, Rislone Oil Stabilizer www.barsproducts.com and Wrisco Industries www.wrisco.com.
