Kutztown,
PA - In the spring of 2013, there were more questions than there were answers
regarding the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA on the Kutztown
Fairgrounds. The configuration and clay surface were both brand new, as was the
promotional team and many of the speedway's staff. There was also a new division
on the weekly menu of dirt track competition...the SpeedSTR's were making their
debut at the fairgrounds.
As the
season began, many people wondered how all of the new aspects at the Berks
County oval would mesh; would the inaugural season under the Tobias/Rose and
JeffreyHogueRealtor.com banner be a success?
It
quickly became apparent that the speedway would indeed be successful. The large
crowds (who turned out week after week to witness some of the biggest names in
local racing battle it out in the SpeedSTR division) were living proof that the
track, and the race format designed by Rich Tobias and Doug Rose, produced some
of the best wheel to wheel action in the northeast. And the fans were also
introduced to, and rapidly became enamored with, another of the weekly classes
competing at the facility located in the shadows of Kutztown University. There
was an unmistakable buzz in the grandstands whenever the Pioneer Pole Buildings
Wingless 600cc Micro-Sprints pulled onto the
track.
The
broadsliding, slide-job-throwing, ground pounding 600's consistently presented a
highlight reel brand of side by side entertainment that left the fans wanting
more...and in 2014, they'll get exactly what they
crave.
Co-promoters Tobias and Rose have decided to increase a couple of the components
that enticed all of the top 600cc drivers to come to the Action Track USA. The
weekly purse will see the winner's share bumped up to $500, while paying $50 to
take the green in the main
event.
The
fans will see more of that "back 'em into the corner" style of racing they love
to watch, as the 600cc features will go 25 laps, rather than the 20-lappers run
at Kutztown for the past several seasons. Tobias and Rose want to give drivers
(who start near the back of the field) more time to work their way to the front
of the pack, so they are adding five laps to the distance of each main event for
the wingless
600's.
And the
drivers will have an opportunity to earn even more cash on Wednesday nights, as
the promoters introduce a "gambler's bonus" for both the wingless 600cc and All
Star Slingshot competitors.
Upon
entry to the speedway, a driver will have the chance to pay an extra $10 or $20
as part of their entry fee. A $10 gambler's fee could mean an extra $100 if the
driver wins the feature, while a $20 gambler's fee will increase the payout by
$200 if the driver wins the main event. Those taking the $20 gambler's challenge
will be racing for a $700 winner's share - a payout unheard of (on a weekly
basis) in 600cc Micro-Sprint competition.
"One of
the main reasons I got involved in promoting races was to give back to the
racers who support us," said Action Track USA co-promoter Doug Rose. We felt we
had the best overall purse structure in the area, and now we've made it even
better for the wingless 600's. We want to make sure we are tops; we pride
ourselves in being the top paying track in the tri-state
area."
Another
new wrinkle for 2014 is the addition of a "Mad Scramble" for non-qualifiers from
the previous week's event. The winner of the Mad Scramble will be locked into
that night's feature.
Due to
the success of the wingless 600's and one late season, non-wing event for the
270cc Micro-Sprints, Tobias and Rose have announced that the 270's will no
longer compete at Kutztown with the top wings bolted to their roll cages. The
270cc Micros will race at the Action Track USA on three occasions next season,
and all three races will be
wingless.
When
the Pioneer Pole Buildings Wingless 600's and the NAPA Auto Parts All Star
Slingshots begin the 2014 season next May, the handicapping system will remain
the same as it was for the second half of the recently completed campaign.
Drivers will draw for starting positions in their heat races, and there will be
a 12-car handicap for the feature lineup, based on drivers' three week point
average.
The
starting time for next season has also been adjusted by 15 minutes, backing up
to 6:15
p.m.
This
year's wingless 600cc activity produced seven different winners in 12 features
and a three-way battle for the point title that went right down to the final
race before Jay Hartman emerged as the champion.
With
the recent announcement of additional cash and extra laps, next season is bound
to be even better for the wingless 600's - and the fans - at the
JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA!
Tobias
and Rose also noted that the new purse structure for the 600cc Micros will be in
effect for the upcoming Fall Jamboree at Path Valley Speedway. The two-day event
is being promoted by the Action Track USA team, and it will take place on
Saturday and Sunday, November 9 & 10.
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