Elkins Is Latest To Join FASTRAK Late Models As Growth In The Northeast Continues; 2 Touring Series Events Added
By Mike Leone
February 20, 2009
Pulaski, PA…The FASTRAK Late Model Racing Series is proud to announce the addition of yet another speedway to its growing list. Elkins Speedway near Elkins, West Virginia has been added to the Northeast Region fold for the upcoming 2009 season. Elkins joins Arcade International Raceway, Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex, and Tyler County Speedway as the latest additions to FASTRAK Northeast.
Elkins Speedway is a 3/8-mile dirt oval located seven miles north of Elkins in Kerens, and is under the direction of new promoter A.J. Rockwell. Elkins will feature the FASTRAK Late Models on a weekly basis on Friday nights blended with their Steel-Block Late Models in 2009 before going 100% FASTRAK in 2010. All FASTRAK-legal cars will follow the national FASTRAK rules 100% including the mandated Goodyear Tires. For more information on Elkins, check out their soon to be released new website at www.elkinsspeedway.com.
With the recent additions of Saturday night tracks Roaring Knob and Tyler County, this now gives drivers in the ‘wild and wonderful’ state of West Virginia the option of running two nights to better themselves in the National Weekly Series Championship, which was just announced that will pay 50 spots up from 30 in 2008!
“I really like the concept of FASTRAK and the way it promotes this type of racing,” stated Rockwell. “The biggest advantage I see with FASTRAK in my area is to be in line with Tyler County and Roaring Knob. This gives racers in the region a place to run on Friday nights for National Weekly Points. Our intention is to go 100% percent FASTRAK-only in 2010 as this is the wave of the future for this type of class.”
“We’re just thrilled Elkins is now part of the FASTRAK family,” expressed Northeast co-Director Vicki Emig. “This came about so quick. We got word Elkins had some interest in FASTRAK and we invited A.J. to the Tyler County meeting on February 8. After various conversations with a lot of knowledge people this deal came together. This will allow FASTRAK racers in that area the ability to earn precious points toward the National Weekly Series and accumulate events toward the Grand Nationals, while at the same time being very competitive with the steel blocks.”
Elkins has also signed on for two Northeast Touring Series events each paying $1,500 to-win. The first ever event will take place on Saturday, August 8 as nearby Saturday night tracks Roaring Knob and Tyler County will be closed for their fairs and McKean County Raceway will also be off. The second event will take place on Friday, August 21- the night before the $2,000 to-win “Union-Confederate North-South Shootout” at Tyler County as part of the inaugural “Coal State Classic Weekend”.
“We’re really excited about how our Northeast Touring Series schedule continues to come together and to have Elkins on board,” explained Northeast co-Director Mike Leone. “A.J. has stepped up both event payoffs to $1,500 to-win to compensate for the extra travel for the guys from the north. The first show will be a great tune-up for the Coal State Classic Weekend two weeks later. We are at 13 events currently and expect to grow to 14 or 15 as we’re waiting on a few tracks to complete their scheduling. Once that takes place we’ll be able to release our schedule, which will begin on Saturday, April 25 at Tyler County for a $1,500 to-win event.”
The FASTRAK Northeast Region now boasts nine weekly-sanctioned tracks for 2009 with Raceway 7, Dog Hollow, Arcade, and Elkins on Friday nights, Mercer Raceway Park, McKean County, Roaring Knob, and Tyler County on Saturday nights, and Tri-City Speedway on Sunday nights.
The 2008 season was the second year for the FASTRAK Late Models in the Northeast with Dog Hollow Speedway, Raceway 7, Mercer Raceway Park, McKean County Raceway, and Tri-City Speedway as weekly-sanctioned speedways. The Northeast’s own Max Blair was the 2008 City Chevrolet $10,000 National Weekly Series Champion.
The Northeast Touring Series contested 11 events with 10 different winners as Blair was also the $5,000 champion amongst a total point fund of near $15,000 for the top 10 racers.
Blair went on to win the $2,000 Night 1 of the Grand Nationals at Mercer en route to a tie for seventh place in the Grand National standings. Approximately $50,000 was paid out to FASTRAK Northeast racers in National Weekly, Northeast Touring, and Grand National point funds with Blair taking home some $20,500 in those funds only.
2008 FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series associate sponsors were Race 1, Fame RV Center, Yoder’s Performance Specialty & PRC, Bullitt Chassis, and Fred Beans Parts.
To join our mailing list, simply send an e-mail to fastrakpr-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Mike Leone and Vicki Emig can be reached at 724-964-9300. E-mail to info@fastraknortheast.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. For more information, check out www.fastraknortheast.com.
