SpeedFest Pre Entries Include Some Tough Customers

Winners and Champions From All Over Gear Up For Super Late Model Event

CONCORD, NC (January 14, 2009) – When SpeedFest 2009 takes place at Lanier National Speedway (GA) in late January, there will be Super Late Model teams coming from all directions to try and win the prestigious short track event. The mix of drivers who have already pre-entered the race, weeks early, includes drivers from places as diverse as Florida, Indiana, Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Illinois, North Carolina, Maine, New Hampshire, Iowa and Ohio. The drivers entered are known for winning races and championships.

"When I looked at the pre-entry list, I really liked the mix of drivers," said CRA Super Series Managing Partner R.J. Scott. "It's a race where you can look around the pit area and see that everyone is a real racer. There are no slugs entered in this race."

What that means for fans is that they will get the opportunity to watch some of the best in the business compete on the same track at the same time – a rare treat for fans made possible by the fact that this event takes place at a time when regional tours haven't started up their seasons yet, and drivers aren't chasing points…just momentum.

Among those already pre-entered are NASCAR Sprint Cup superstar Kyle Busch, 2008 CRA Super Series champion Scott Hantz, Super Late Model standout Jeff Fultz, Florida young gun Jeremy Colangelo, Southern Slam 250 winner Justin Drawdy, former NASCAR Elite Series standout Jason Hogan and home state hero Michael Pope – who will be driving the #51 owned by SPEED TV personality Bob Dillner.

"These guys are all heroes, and that is great from both the fan's perspective and the series' perspective," said Scott.

And those racers won't be the only big names in attendance. The event is still weeks away and the pre-entry list is expected to get larger by the day.

"This is only the pre-entry list," said Scott. "We fully expect to have 36-40 cars for this race…or more. We've talked to a lot of people and there are some big names who are interested in coming to SpeedFest. Traditionally, many Southern teams wait to file their entries, so there will be plenty more drivers who will enter this race."

SpeedFest 2009 weekend will kick off with an open practice day on Friday, January 23^rd, at Lanier National Speedway for all Pro and Super Late Model competitors. More practice and qualifying events for both divisions will take place on Saturday, January 24^th, with the 200-lap Super Late Model and the 100-lap Pro Late Model events going green on Sunday, January 25^th.

Entry forms for the Super Late Model portion of SpeedFest weekend are currently available on both craracing.net and lanierspeedway.com, as well as Speed51.com, the official website of SpeedFest 2009.

Entry forms for the Pro Late Model portion of the weekend are available at lanierspeedway.com, as well as Speed51.com

For more information on SpeedFest 2008, be sure to check out speed51.com, craracing.net and lanierspeedway.com. If you have any questions regarding the event, please call the respective series or track representative.