Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway
Concord,NC — CONCORD, NC – March, 30, 2009 – DIRTcar Racing’s presence in western Pennsylvania will expand in 2009 with the addition of Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway as a sanctioned track, PPMS and World Racing Group officials announced on Monday.
Beginning with the half-mile oval’s season opener on Sat., April 11, drivers in four divisions – Super Late Models, Pro (Crate) Late Models, open-wheel Modifieds and Pure Stocks – will become eligible to earn points toward the prestigious national and regional DIRTcar Racing titles and enjoy other benefits associated with being part of the nation’s largest short-track sanctioning body.
The news is especially big for Super Late Model teams in western Pennsylvania. With PPMS joining nearby Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., to create two nights of weekly action under the DIRTcar Racing banner, full-fender racers in the Pittsburgh area will realize greatly increased chances of grabbing a portion of the organization’s $200,000-plus Super Late Model points fund.
“We were looking for a way to put our competitors in more of a national spotlight and joining the DIRTcar Racing program was a perfect fit for us,” said Ben Miley of Miley Motorsports, the longtime promoters of the track known as ‘Dirt’s Monster Half-Mile.’ “Working with Lernerville Speedway, now drivers in this area will have a much better shot at winning some of that DIRTcar Racing points-fund money and receiving national recognition.
“We’re excited to work with Tom Deery (WRG Chief Operating Office) and the DIRTcar Racing organization. We’re also looking forward to educating the drivers in all of our divisions about the benefits of a DIRTcar Racing sanction, including the increased insurance coverage that will now be available to our racers.”
Deery is equally upbeat about DIRTcar Racing’s sanctioning of PPMS, which is located in Imperial, Pa., near the Pittsburgh International Airport.
“This presents a great opportunity for the drivers in the western Pennsylvania area,” said Deery. “With the leadership of Lernerville and Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway now part of the DIRTcar Racing family, we can deliver the full benefits of the DIRTcar Racing program to more drivers and teams and increase awareness of the DIRTcar Racing brand in a region of the country with a strong short-track racing landscape.”
Lernerville Speedway general manager Gary Risch Jr., meanwhile, expressed plenty of optimism about working with PPMS officials in 2009 and beyond.
“I’m excited that the drivers from the western Pennsylvania area will have an opportunity to get a bigger share of the national and regional points funds,” said Risch. “Having Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway come on board with DIRTcar Racing is great news for the teams and fans in this area.”
The Super Late Model division at PPMS and Lernerville will be part of the DIRTcar Racing East Region. The class will follow DIRTcar Racing rules at both tracks, including the use of Hoosier tires.
PPMS’s crate Late Model class will be part of DIRTcar Racing’s expanding Pro Late Model program, which last year saw national champion Tait Davenport of Paducah, Ky., earn $10,000 from a posted points fund of $33,440.
The track’s familiar E-Mod division, meanwhile, will earn points toward national and regional UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified points fund that exceeded $175,000 in 2008, and the Pure Stock class will be designated to be part of the UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman points battle.
PPMS management will open the track’s gates for the first time in 2009 this Saturday (April 4), hosting a practice session for all divisions in advance of the season opener on April 11.
Additional info on all of the series, sanctioning and member tracks of DIRTcar Racing is available at www.DIRTcar.com.
