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| Bill Elliott and Mark Martin to visit during "Winternationals" | by Bill Green
Two of NASCAR's biggest names will be on hand Tuesday, February 3 at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa (Gibsonton),FL for the second night of the "28th Annual Winternationals" and 2004 season opener of the Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series. Former NASCAR champion and multi-time fan voted "Most Popular NASCAR Driver" Bill Elliott, who will participate in a limited number of NASCAR Nextel Cup events in 2004, and Mark Martin, driver of the Viagara sponsered NASCAR Nextel Cup car, will sign autographs for the fans at the Stacker 2 "YJ Stinger Splash Of Energy Tour" interactive fan display. Elliott will sign autographs starting at 3:00pm while Martin will greet the fans from 6:00pm to 7:45pm.
"We are more than happy to be able to bring two of the most popular names in American motorsports to East Bay Raceway Park", stated Xtreme DirtCars,Inc. owner/president Doug Bland. "More NASCAR people are taking a very serious look into our arena. Those people are seeing the value of what we are offering with our program. And, their interest is getting stronger and stronger. Bill and Ray Evernham have partnered with Ray Cook. That not only opens the doors for Ray but for the series and the track promoters as well."
Elliott will also be participating in several things while at East Bay Raceway Park including being the pilot for the "two-seater" DirtCar that will give media members an "up close and personal view" of the semi-banked 1/3rd mile speedway. Elliott will also be watching "The Tar Heel Tiger", Ray Cook, very closely. Elliott along with multi-time NASACAR champion crew chief Ray Evernham and Cook have formed a partnership which will see the MasterSbilt Race Car of Cook sporting the name, colors, style and powerplant of Dodge for the 2004 Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series campaign.
When asked his feelings of the partnership the personable Cook from Brasstown,NC related, "I'm tickled to death to tell you the truth. This deal just didn't happen overnight. We've been working on it for nearly a year. Having the support of both Bill and Ray takes so much pressure off of our program. They've been awesome to work with! I met Bill quite a few years ago actually and our relationship has developed from knowing each other to a friendship and now this partenership. The same thing with Ray. Bill's always dabbled in dirt track racing and we would always lend a hand when he needed it. And, things just developed from there."
Cook continued, "It's the first corporate sponsorship (Dodge) we've ever had. A lot of that is thanks to Ray and Bill. They opened the doors for me and I'm so appreciative of what they've done for our program and what they plan to do in the future. It will be a learning experience for us this year using the Dodge powerplant and body style but I think we will do real well. I'm very confident in our program. I really don't feel any pressure with the new program and partnership. There has been no pressure from Ray, Bill or the great folks at Dodge. I put more pressure on myself than anyone. I know the opportunity is there now for my racing program to move ahead. So, I do feel some pressure but it's my own."
Another key asset added to Cook/Elliott/Evernham Dodge team is the addition of "Cap't." Kirk Loudy as crew chief. Cook feels having the former "World 100" winning crew chief, who previously spun the wrenches for Brian Birkhofer and Scott Bloomquist to name a few, brings so much to the team.
"Having Kirk as the crew chief has been a major, major help", said Cook. "Before when I basically made the calls at the track regarding set-ups and tires sometimes we'd get to thinking too much and throw ourselves totally out of the ballpark. Having Kirk to toss ideas back and forth with and the decision making that needs to be done on the car will definitely make things easier. He has so much experience with the MasterSbilt Race Car. And, he played an integral part in the development of the Goodyear tires. And, Kirk has won the big ones in our sport. He is a great asset to have."
Loudy is just as pumped up as Cook about the partnership that has been formed.
"Oh Yeah!", stated Loudy when asked if he was excited about the partnership and the quest for the Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series "Stacker 2 Cup" championship. "Both Ray and myself have been given an opportunity to further our careers with the partnership with Bill and Ray. Bill knows these cars and what it takes to keep a racing operation going and Ray brings so much technical knowledge and research and development opportunity's. When Ray (Cook) approached me about this program last March the more we talked and the more it developed and I saw where it was going.... How could you say 'No'?!"
When asked about his experience working with the Dodge powerplant Loudy related, "I've only built one Dodge motor from top to bottom in my entire life. That was a motor I had to build as a kid so I could get back and forth to basketball practice. Let's just say I'm excited learning about them. There is so much to learn with the powerplants but Bill and Evernham have been super in helping us."
Loudy also said that one goal for this year was to put his team partner, Elliott, in a Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series winners circle.
"There's a chance Bill may drive one of the cars maybe a dozen times. It just depends on his schedule. That would be such a thrill for me to have Bill Elliott drive one of our cars to his first Stacker 2 win. That would be absolutely a highlight. It would be just the same as when I wrenched Duayne Hommel to his first big win. I'll never forget that."
With the direction of the Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series both Cook and Loudy stated their obvious support.
"I really believe in this program that Doug Bland has put together. I really do", said Cook. "Don't get me wrong, the product sponsors that have helped our sport over the years have done a great job to get us to where we are at. And, we still need those product sponsors now and in the future. But, it's like Elliott says. Those people are needed, greatly. But, it's the corporate sponsors like Stacker 2, Goodyear, Gemini and Lucas Oil and other major sponsors that we need to keep raising the bar. You have to keep open-minded about what is presented to you. I believe the direction of Xtreme DirtCars,Inc. is going the right way."
Loudy echoed the sentiments of his driver.
"I'm behind this all the way", said Loudy. "Working with Brian before coming to work for Ray I worked very close with the Goodyear engineers in developing these tires. It wasn't just an "inclusive" deal of Birky only. Ten different drivers that used ten different chassis were invited to participate in the Goodyear tests. Unfortunately, Brian and myself with the MasterSbilt were the only team that participated in the tests. That leaves me a bit disappointed in those other teams. Not only that they didn't accept the invitations to the tests but that they have made the decisons they have made. But, that's their right."
Loudy continued, "I just truely believe this program that has been put together is the best thing to happen for our sport. For years everyone has hollered and complained that the 'next level' is what we needed. Well, it's here. I'm grateful for it. The more corporate sponsor money that comes into the series means more money for the promoters and for the race teams. Let's face it. This is what I do for a living. And, I believe the Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series and the regionals series and the weekly series for that matter will all benefit. The sponsorship monies and opportunities will trickle down through the entire organization."
The 2004 Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series and Northern Xtreme DirtCar Series season's will officially get underway at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa (Gibsonton),FL for the February 2 - 7 "28th Winterationals" at the semi-banked 1/3rd mile clay oval. The Northern Xtreme DirtCar Series will sanction the Monday, Wednesday and Friday events while the Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series will sanction the other three nights of action.
Single night advanced reserved seat ticket prices range, depending on seat selection, from $25.00 to $35.00 for the February 2 - 5 races and range in price from $25.00 to $40.00 for the February 6 and 7 races.
Childrens tickets, general admission only, are 1/2 price. All credit card orders will be assessed a $5.00 handling charge. Pit admission tickets will be sold the day of the event only. Reserved camping at the track is also available for a nominal fee.
East Bay Raceway Park has also arranged for discounted lodging at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Tampa (800) 513-8940, Ramada Inn on Tampa Bay in Apollo Beach (800) 67-BEACH and Sleep Inn and Suites in Ellenton (941) 721-4933. For the "racers rate discount" mention East Bay Raceway Park.
To order advanced reserved single night tickets, reserved camping or for further information phone East Bay Raceway Park Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm at 813-677-7223, toll free at 877-457-5611 or visit the EBRP website located at www.eastbayracewaypark.com
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