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03/19/2012 |
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BUDWEISER BLASTOFF WEEKEND STARTS SPEEDBOWL SEASON
14 divisions bring
in 2012 New England race season |
Waterford
Speedbowl, one of the nation’s oldest and most historic racing venues, opens
its gates for the 62nd consecutive season-opener with the annual Budweiser
Blastoff Weekend March 30 through April 1. The three-day racing spectacle
offers race fans plenty of variety with 14 divisions slated to chase the
first checkered flags of the season.
Highlighting the attractions at Blastoff is the season opening event for the
Valenti Modified Racing Series, which will compete in a 100-lap main event.
Modified racing has been synonymous with the shoreline oval every year since
its opening in April of 1951. The NEMA Midgets begin their 60th anniversary
season at Blastoff. Like the Modifieds, NEMA and its legacy in the northeast
has been firmly rooted with the Speedbowl, regarded by many as the “perfect”
Midget track. The ‘Bowl’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions also
start their championship chase at Blastoff including the SK Modifieds®,
which will compete in a special 62-lap event in honor of the track’s 62nd
season, the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks
and SK Light Modifieds.
Other touring divisions beginning their season with Blastoff include the
NEMA Lites, New England Truck Series and New England Four Cylinder Pro
Stocks. Additional Speedbowl divisions including the Legends Cars,
Bandoleros, Super X Car and X Car divisions round out the weekend’s racing
card chasing points in their Saturday Showdown Series.
Budweiser Blastoff Weekend practice is slated for Friday, March 30. Pit
gates open at 10:00am for inspection with practice getting started at noon.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series has an open practice session from 5:00pm
through 6:00pm on Friday. Pit admission is $25.00, while grandstands are
closed for Friday’s practice session.
On Saturday, March 31 pit gates open at 7:30am with practice for all 14
divisions commencing at 9:00am. The Valenti Modified Racing Series practice
will be from 1:15pm – 2:00pm. Qualifying gets started at 3:00pm, including
the popular Valenti Modified Racing Series heat races. Feature races for the
NEMA Lites, SK Light Modifieds, New England Trucks, New England Four
Cylinder Pro Stocks, Legends Cars, Bandolero’s, Super X Cars and X Cars are
scheduled to begin at 5:00pm.
Sunday begins with a Pit Party on the track starting at 9:30am. Features get
underway at noon including a 25-lapper for the NEMA Midgets, special 62-lap
SK Modified® race, a 50-lap Late Model race and 30-lappers for the Street
Stocks and Mini Stocks. The Valenti Modifieds will race 100 green flag laps
as the highlight of Budweiser Blastoff Weekend.
Two day passes for grandstands admission are available for $35.00 for
adults, $10.00 for youth age 6 through 14, with all kids age 5 and under
free. Pit admission is $40.00 for licensed racing members, and $50.00 for
non-licensed members. The Speedbowl offers acres of free parking, including
overnight parking. Pricing is inclusive of Connecticut Admissions Tax. More
information on Budweiser Blastoff Weekend, including a detailed schedule of
events, can be found online at
Speedbowl.com. |
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Source: Brian Darling / Waterford Speedbowl
Posted: March
19, 2012 |
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