| Thursday, January 4, 2001 | |
| New Year's Eve of Destruction | Punta Gorda, FL - The annual New Year's Eve of Destruction and Hangover Enduro 250 takes place at Charlotte County Speedway on December 31 and January 1. This family alternative to the usual New Year's reverie is a tradition with local race fans.
The New Year's Eve of Destruction takes place on December 31. Special racing events include a 50-lap Women's Enduro; a Men's/Women's Switch-off Enduro; 20-lap Reverse Race; 4-Car Elimination Drags and Fan Participation Oval Drags. A 10-lap Blindfold Race will be run during which the driver is blindfolded while a co-pilot directs them around the racetrack. The Train Race is always a crowd pleaser, as three cars are chained together with the lead car steering, the middle car motoring and the caboose car being the brakes as they weave their way around the oval. The 4 X 4 Race involves each driver making four laps in a forward direction and four laps going backwards. Paul Revere's Midnight Ride brings in the New Year as the Speedway lights go out and each car has a flashlight attached to their hood as they make their way around the darkened track.
Drivers and race fans will return on January 1 for the Hangover Enduro 250. There are no caution flags during Enduro racing. The only time the cars are stopped are when driver safety or a totally blocked race track brings out the red flag. With first place paying a $5,000 purse, much crashing and banging is guaranteed. Past Enduro races have brought over 100 cars to the Speedway. The 2001 Monster Truck Challenge and Night of Destruction will take place on January 5 and 6. The Annual Awards Banquet will take place on January 13 at Victoria Estates Country Club in Port Charlotte.
Charlotte County Speedway is located at 8655 Piper Road, I-75 exit 28, and follow the Charlotte County. Airport signs. For more information, call 575-2442.
-Robin Meiser
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