January 7, 2004 East Bay Raceway Park Winter Nationals Growing Everyday by Bill Green Tampa, FL. (Jan. 6th, 2004) The 28th Winter Nationals at East Bay Raceway Park are sure shaping up to be the biggest ever. "As of today, we have 76 Open Wheeled Modified entries pre-registered for the Jan. 22-24 Open Wheel show", stated office manager, Janet Knight, "and they're still coming in daily by mail and phone". As the Open Wheel Modified event is only two weeks away, Janet suggests that any OWM owners, drivers and even fans that wish to join in this years event, should call the track office immediately to insure there entry and/or grandstand ticket is in the system and a spot is reserved. Drivers already registered include legendary Northern Modified driver Buzzie Reutimann. He will come out of retirement to drive a brand new Reutimann Racing chassis, powered by a Progressive Engine. Also slated to compete are other nationally known drivers like: Dan Hamstra, Bob Pohlman, Caley Emerson, Ken Riddle, Cory Conley, Jeff Leka and Stanley Donahoo. Local talent includes: Bill Howard, Roger Crouse and young Greg Reutimann, the third generation Zypherhills, Florida driver. Mrs. Knight went on to explain that the following week, Jan. 28th to 31st, the King of the 360s kick-off for 2004 Sprint Car season, already has 52 entries, including Tony Stewarts #20 to be driven by Danny Lasoski. Pre-entry list includes nationally known drivers like: Jason Sides, Joey Saldana, Erin Crocker, Terry McCarl, Lance Dewease and Jan Oppermann, Jr. Local entries include Team Hogans Gene Lasker and Bubba the Love Sponge, Greg Leonard, Kenny Adams and Wayne Reutimann, Jr. of the Reutimann family of racers. While the Xtreme Dirt Car series now sponsored by Staker-2 will handle there own entries, they are assuring everyone that the pits will be full for the season opener as usual. Defending Champion Rick Eckert will battle all the Xtreme Dirt Car Series racers for the coveted season points kick-off event. The East Bay Raceway Park sanctioned 410 Nationals are gaining momentum and entries daily. They just signed up the thirtieth car for the fourth of five Winter Nationals weekend schedules. A few well known names are among the two and a half dozen early entries for this year event. Danny Lasoski will return in the Tony Stewart #20 sprinter to defend his 2003 Crown. While drivers like Craig Dollonsky, Fred Rahmer, Lance Dewease, Joey Saldana and Greg Hodnett will do all they can to try and steal the crown away. Lastly the newest addition to the EBRP Winter Nationals program will be Feb. 19th to 21st when the Team USA Mod-Lites and Classic Modifies invade the Clay-by-the-Bay. Looking to establish an opening season weekend for years to come, Southern Division President Walt Breeding thinks 100 vehicles is not out of the question in a few years. "We just have to get it established in everyone's mind that the East Bay races will start the seasonal points Championship run and they'll be planning vacations to Florida in February every year" said Knught. For more information on entries or ticketing for any of the above races, call the East Bay Raceway Park track office at 1-877-457-5611. Well See You at the RACES! Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on our Message Board! <news@karnac.org>or send a letter to the editor!