Weedsport, NY — September 18, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
Three times is a charm for Dig Safely New York as the long-time DIRTcar Racing NorthEast supporter returns to the Syracuse Mile with a three-dimensional program, offering awards in three divisions during Super DIRT Week XXXVII, Oct. 7-12, at the New York State Fairgrounds in 2008.
Company representatives will move into victory lane for the first award presentation following the 30-lap Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship on Saturday, Oct. 11, then return to the winner’s circle after both the “Dig Safely New York Shootout” Modified Non-Qualifiers race and 25-lap Mr. DIRTcar Pro Stock Championship on Sunday, Oct. 12.
Along with sponsoring the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Rite Aid 200 Big-Block Modified last-chance qualifier at SDW XXXVII, Dig Safely will also back halfway lap leader awards worth $500 to the Sportsman Modified driver that is out front on lap 15 and $300 to the UMP Pro Stock pilot that paces the full-fender field through 13 circuits.
2007 Dig Safely New York Shootout winner Eddie Marshall had a stellar run last autumn, starting 43rd in the 47-car field and charging through the pack to secure a solid eighth-place finish on Sunday afternoon. The late Tommy Wilson won the last-chance qualifier and went on to improve the most positions (48th to 5th) in 1985 before rookie Bryan Goewey moved from 46th to 5th-place in his 1988 debut.
Both Sammy Reakes IV (Spt) and Don Carlson (Pro) not only pocketed Dig Safely NY halfway bonuses a year ago, they went on to capture their respective SDW main events. Reakes led the entire Town Mechanical 30 title race while Carlson wrestled the lead away from eventual champion Pete Stefanski on lap 13 en route to his command performance on the Moody Mile.
“DIRTcar has been around for awhile now and certainly knows about racing on the dirt, but Dig Safely New York will assist you with knowing what’s under that dirt,” commented former Dig Safely New York Operations Manager Larry Bishop. “Avoiding hits to underground facilities can save money, prevent property damage and personal injuries just like race teams observing safety rules and building safe race cars keeps them out in front and eliminates a costly hit in the point standings.”
Established in 1968, Dig Safely New York remains a not-for-profit group whose membership includes volunteers from over 1,300 underground facility owners comprised of utilities, municipalities and private operators. It serves all of New York State with the exception of New York City and Long Island.
The mission is simple — Prevent damages to underground facilities and protect the public through education and quality communication with excavators, underground facility operators and designers in an efficient, courteous and cost effective manner while complying with governing regulations.
Free educational services relating to safe digging practices can be found by logging into www.digsafelynewyork.com or calling 1-800-962-7962 for the related information. Racing Safe and Digging Safe are two areas that Dig Safely New York is proud to be associated with. 811 Know What’s Below, Call Before You Dig.
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets As of April 19, 2008, the Company operated 3,291 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company’s web site at www.advanceautoparts.com.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.
