Salem, IN (April 14, 2009) – The Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series is ready to start its 2009 season this Saturday at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana. 2009 will be the fourth year for the series, which has seen steady growth over the past three seasons and is expected to see even more in 2009 with the highly competitive series gaining popularity with racers and fans each year.

2008 series Champion Tony Dager is expected to defend his championship starting Saturday night, Dager was also the series Rookie of the Year last season. Dager started off the season with a remarkable string of four straight victories including last season’s season opener at Anderson Speedway giving him the early season points lead that he was able to hold on to through out the season to win the Championship by 61 points over veteran racer Rick Rinehart. Dager ended up with a series leading five victories.

Series point’s runner-up Rick Rinehart will return, looking to get back into victory lane after not getting any victories in 2008. Third place points finisher Justin Alsip is expected to start his run for the series 2009 Championship on Saturday, Alsip got three victories in 2008 and was runner-up in the Rookie of the Year points to Dager, but looks to be a serious contender for the 2009 Championship. Veteran Indiana racer Charlie Hanna finished fourth in series points in 2008, he also looks to get back to victory lane and contend for the series Championship.

The series will see the addition of some Anderson Speedway regulars in 2008 including former track Champions Joe Beaver and Jake Owens in team cars owned by Jeremy Jackson. Beaver is a veteran of about any type stock car that has competed at Anderson Speedway over the years and looks to be a serious competitor with the series in 2009. Owens, a former Street Stock Champion at Anderson Speedway, will run for the series Rookie of the Year honors along with former Anderson SuperTruck competitor Joshua Timmerman.

Other top series competitors expected to compete at Anderson Saturday night include Mark Lambert who scored a series victory in his first and only series start at ORP last season. Eric Barkus who finished fifth in series points last season. Veteran Ric Pfiefer who competed the entire season in 2008 as a driver in a couple of different vehicles including his own truck that finished eighth in series points. Steve Minich Jr. who won two series events last season at Baer Field Speedway is also expected.

Former series Champions Keith Sterkowitz and Billy Hutson are both expected to compete Saturday along with Plymouth Speedway veterans Steve Stacy and Brian McFadden. Brett Robinson, the son of former CRA Super Series competitor Todd Robinson will make his series debut Saturday and will compete for series Rookie honors in 2009.

Pit gates will open at 2pm on Saturday. There will be a drivers meeting at 3:30pm. The first practice for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series will be at 4pm, qualifying will be at 5:30pm. The race program will begin at 7pm and will include a 75 lap feature event for the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series.

More information on the event is available at www.andersonspeedway.com. More information on the Howe CRA Late Model Sportsman Series is available at www.craracing.net.