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| Ocala Speedway begins 51st season Friday night | by Dave Westerman
OCALA, Fla. (March 5, 2003) - Following an off-season that has brought many changes, Ocala Speedway opens its gates for the 51st year of racing Friday night with a big six-division racing spectacular.
Fans will be treated to new aluminum grandstands, new entrance gate, a much safer catch fence, bleachers that feature a new view from turn four, and an upgraded concession menu courtesy of Ruben's Tex-Mex.
Employees will benefit from a new tower, re-designed offices, and flagmen Larry Bowden and Dave Dinehart will have a new flagstand to operate from.
Friday night's season opener will showcase all six of the regular divisions that will compete throughout the season at Ocala Speedway.
Leading the charge will be the Super Late Models, sponsored this year by personal injury and accident attorney Steven A. Bagen & his associates, longtime supporters of racing action at Ocala. The Super Lates will open with qualifying sponsored by Midway Transmission, then follow later in the evening with a big 50-lap feature.
The opening night Super Late Model field is expected to be enhanced by a number of drivers getting "dialed in" for the Sunbelt Series race the following week here.
Also on the opening night card will be the WIND-FM Open Wheel Modifieds, Mini-Stocks, Diamond H Air & Heat Sportsman cars, K Country Street Stocks, and the Four Cylinder Stocks.
Race fans will be in for a real treat the following Friday. Along with the aformentioned Sunbelt Super Late Model Series 125, the Florida Mini-Stock Challenge comes to Ocala Speedway for the first time in its short history.
New Port Richey's Robbie Yoakam won the season-opener last week at Auburndale Speedway and along with 2002 FMSC Champion Robbie Storer, will lead over 30 four-bangers to Ocala on March 14th.
Also on the docket that night will be the Sportsman, Street Stocks, and Four Cylinder Stocks.
Figure eight racing returns to Ocala Speedway on March 21st along with a full slate that will include all the regular classes other than Mini-Stocks.
The month of March wraps up on the 28th with a 50 lap race for the new UPM Modified Tour that got off to such a rousing success last month at Citrus County Speedway. Super Late Models will get a well-deserved night off while the Modified Lite cars will make their first appearance for 2003 that evening.
Pit gates open Friday afternoon at 4PM with Grandstands opening at 6PM. Practice is from 6-7:15PM, qualifying at 7:30 and racing begins at 8PM.
To get all the information on racing at Ocala Speedway and more, be sure to tune in to "Speedcenter" from 3-4PM every Friday afternoon on WMOP, AM 900 in Ocala, or on WGGG, AM 1230 in Gainesville. Ocala Speedway announcer and PR Director Dave Westerman hosts the show assisted by Jessica Raimanda.
For any information concerning Ocala Speedway, call the track at (352) 622-9400 or visit www.ocalaspeedway.com.
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