FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2011
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Hagerstown’s 24th Annual Octoberfest, Ready to Go Hagerstown, Md. (October 26) - As area speedways have one by one presented their closing events, just a few days remain until Hagerstown Speedway’s 24th Annual Verizon Wireless Octoberfest 350 will wrap up its season.
Entries from numerous top drivers have arrived for the grand finale this weekend, October 29th and 30th, which, after 23 years, has put the top four dirt motorsports divisions all together for one big extravaganza.
Top drivers in late models, big block and small block modifieds and super sprints will be vying for $10,000 awaiting winners in each of the main events with $400 to start each feature.
It’s a busy weekend of racing with Saturday reserved for all qualifying heats and B-Mains in the four divisions. Order of events will be big block modifieds, late models, 410 sprints and end with small block modifieds.
Sunday’s order of events for the 100 lap features will be in reverse; small blocks, 410 sprints (50 laps), late models and big blocks.
Gary Stuhler, who won the inaugural 1988 event, leads the late model win column, having also scored four more times; 1996, 1999, 2003 and is the defending winner.
Rick Eckert has three wins to his credit, 2001-02 and 2009.
Brett Hearn, the overall leading modified winner at Hagerstown, has scored the small block portion twice, in 2000 and 2005, while is the defending big block winner with previous wins in 1993, 1997, 2001 and has won the last three consecutive events.
Billy Pauch has won in three different divisions. He’s claimed back to back sprint wins in 1988 and 1989, a single small block win in 1999 and has four big block modified triumphs in 1988, 1992, 1995 and 1996.
Tim McCreadie has won the last two small block modified events but has also won the 2008 late model 100 lapper.
In the super sprints, World of Outlaw driver Cody Darrah, following a traffic accident that sidelined him for the entire 2010 season, made his first trip back on the track a winning one and is the defending winner.
Lance Dewease leads the sprint division with four wins in three different cars. He’s scored in 1994 and 1997 and then put back to back wins together in 2001 and 2002. Dewease will be out of action this year from injuries suffered in a Lincoln Speedway incident several weeks ago.
Three drivers have three wins; Donnie Kreitz Jr. having the honors in both 1991 and 1992 and then again in 1996 while Fred Rahmer in two different racers, scored in 2004 with back to back wins in 2007-08 with Greg Hodnett having his name on the 2003, 2005 and 2006 victories, each aboard different race cars.
General admission for Saturday is $30 and $35 for Sunday, while the best buy is available for $40 covering both days admission. Children under 12 are free general admission only.
Reserved seats are available for the two day price of $50 while individual prices are Saturday, $35 and Sunday, $40.
Pit entry is $50 for the weekend pass. There are no single day passes. There are no refunds.
Pit gates open both days at 8:00 am. Grandstands open daily at 9:30 am. Racing begins at noon.
No alcohol or glass bottles permitted to be taken past the spectator gate or into the pit area.
Check the speedway’s website:
www.hagerstownspeedway.com or contact the speedway office at 301-582-0640 for any additional information. Hagerstown Speedway is located on U.S. Route 40 just 6 miles west of Hagerstown.