Daily Press Releases March 3

    March 1, 2003 Pike County Speedway   Sue DuRoy
    James Ward, Kennith Crowe, Curt Lipsey, Scott Slay and Keith Craft shared
the heat wins for late models. Craft started on the pole, but it was Ashley
that led all 50 laps. Craft and Kenny Merchant ran wheel to wheel for three
laps till Merchant moved into second and chased Ashley. One lap into the race
yellow flew for drive shaft on the front straightaway. With 19 laps in Kevin
Watts slowed on the front straightaway and brought out a yellow. The rest of
the race was caution free. Ashley took the win followed by Merchant, Kennith
Crowe, Larry Riter, James Ward, Keith Craft, Curt Lipsey, Rodney Wing, Mike
Boland, and Ryan Plaisance.
     Tommy Cannon and Ronnie Flynn took the street stock heat wins. Cannon
started on the pole, but by turn one it was the Flynn brothers first and
second. Ronnie with the lead Roger second. They ran half the race like this
till Roger got the lead from his brother. Ronnie and Jason Holland ran wheel
to wheel for second. Holland went on to score the win followed by Ricky
King, Mitchel Arnold, and Austin Butler.
     Joey Humphreys and Wilson Voisin won the super stock heats. Humphreys
led every lap and scored the win, Voisin ran second,but couldn't run
Humphreys donw and had to settle for second. Third went to Blair Dehart,
fourth Lane Panepinto, and fifth Joey Chassion.

KENNY GILMORE COMES OFF GOOD SEASON LOOKS FOR GREAT SEASON

BECHTELSVILLE, PA March 2, 2003 . . . Perhaps it is something in the water. What else could explain the fact that so many outstanding stock car drivers have come from the small town of Kutztown, PA.? And for Kenny Gilmore it may also be something in the genes. In addition to having been born in Kutztown, Gilmore's dad is the legendary Charlie Gilmore who has won more feature auto races in his career than many racers get to race.
The popular veteran racer, now making his home in Fleetwood, is coming off a very good season. He was able to qualify and finish every NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge Modified stock car race at the very tough Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA. Though the Ron and Ann Wilson Airport Hotel & Restaurant sponsored entry did not make it to victory lane, Gilmore was able to bring the team a top five point finish with consistent running at the finish performances.
"In my 16 years of driving racing cars I had never had a season where I qualified and finished every feature race. Back in 1995 and 1996 I did qualify for every feature at Grandview but did not finish them all. Finishing is the tough part. The team worked well together. Sure I would have liked to have won a feature race but to finish in the top five at Grandview Speedway is quite an accomplishment," said the 38 year old self-employed roofer.
For 2003 Gilmore, winner of 8 feature races at the Berks County NASCAR sanctioned banked clay one-third-mile oval, has moved to the Freddy Hamm owned NASCAR Modified stock car. "This was a new car at the end of last season. Freddy, who raced with my dad for many years at Dorney Park Speedway, has been after me for a few years to drive for him. When Ron and Ann Wilson decided to go in a different direction I agreed to drive for Freddy. I think it is going to be a great combination," said Gilmore.
"I told them that I could make the Teo chassis work and run up front as long as they give me the horsepower. In fact I had told them that if the horsepower is there I can win the 40-lap Patriot Bank feature on opening night. I run well in the long distance events."
Sponsorship support, so important in motorsports, will come from Kochel Equipment, Bailey's Fabrication, Rohrbach's Lawn Care, Don Christman's Auto Repair, Outlaw Graphics, Berk's Quality Service and CMS Racing Engines.
And for those who may not believe that success in auto racing could have something to do with "genes," Gilmore's son, 8-year-old Brett, won all but two of the "pee wee" events he entered in go-kart competition at Oreville, PA Kart Raceway. Dad is pretty proud as his son is moving up in competition this year.
Gilmore also had high praise for Grandview Speedway management regarding their decision to make transponders mandatory this season. He, as do many other racers, feels that it will make for a quicker show and less scoring discussions.
Of course Gilmore, who considers himself one of the top five drivers at Grandview Speedway when it comes to consistency (one of the top ten when it comes to overall performance), will come up against some strong competition as the season gets started officially on Saturday, April 5, 6 p.m. A doubleheader show of NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models, sponsored by Patriot Bank, will be presented topped by a 40-lap feature for the Modifieds.
Included in the opening night action will be defending champion Jeff Strunk, multi time track champion Craig VonDohren, Ray Swinehart, 2002 multi-feature winner Meme DeSantis, Ryan Watt, and a host of others. More than 80 race cars are expected to be in the competition area for the opening night racing action.
However, before the season gets the green officially, fans are invited to attend the free-to-the-public practice session on Saturday, March 29th starting at 12 noon. The practice day action will be FREE to those who want to see what the excitement of local short track stock car racing is all about. And it is an opportunity for fans to see their favorite's test-and-tune their new equipment.
The practice session is open to all racers who will be running at Grandview Speedway during the 2003 season and that will include NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models, sprint cars, midgets, and legend cars.
For fans practice day is a great day to get pictures of the race cars as they have that "fresh from the factory" look.
Information on marketing opportunities available, something for every budget, at Grandview Speedway is available from Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc. at 215.752.7797.
And information on racing events, tickets, group rates, season tickets and more is available at 610.754.7688 or visit the website at www.grandviewspeedway.com.
Located on Passmore Road, just off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown, in Bechtelsville, PA, Grandview Speedway is one of the most popular sports facilities in Berks County.

The rescheduled $3,000 to win LM "WinterFest" at Winchester (TN) Speedway is on tap for this coming Sunday afternoon, March 9.

The owner at Winchester (Tim Smith) sincerely hopes those racers and fans that were planning on being with us on the original date, will be able to do so on the 9th of March.
The 2003 "WinterFest" is a Southern All Star rules race paying $3,000 to win. We will also run IMCA "Type" Open Wheels($600 to win), Super Stocks($300 to win), Outlaw Mini Stocks ($300 to win) and Mini Stocks($200 to win).$50 Entry Fee for LM's. We will not run 2-BBL Late Models on March 9th. Gates will open at 9:00 AM, drivers meeting at 11:45 with hot laps at Noon and first event about 1:00 - 1:30 PM.
Rules clarification: A) 2002 SAS rules for engines, weights and Spoiler (12" for Spec engines) B) Rear Tires (only rear tires!) must stick at least 60 on durometer and any tire manufacturer is allowed on front or rear. ANY tire compound allowed on front. (P.S. That is essentially the same tire rules in effect at Winchester and Duck River"s "Big 10" series)
The track is located in town about .5 miles (1/2 mile) west of Winchester, Tennessee town square just off route US 64 (Turn at "Speedway Market" for speedway entrance). We are 45 miles northeast of Huntsville, Alabama / 80 miles south of Nashville, Tennessee and 60 miles northwest of Chattanooga, Tennesee. For additional information you may contact: Tim Smith / 2725 Robertson Creek Road / Huntland, Tennessee 37345 Home phone number is: (931)469-7898 / Business: 968-9334.You also may e-mail Dennis at: bowlingj@tnns.net or dcbowling@tva.gov / Track phone is: (931) 967-0066. Class rules for Open Wheel, Super Stock, Outlaw Pony and Mini Stocks may be viewed at: http://www.jeffhurstracing.com then go to "Message Board" and Winchester Speedway.
Note: Traction Control devices are not "Legal" for Winchester Speedway. SAS allows them but we do not! Please leave them in the garage! Pit Gate admission will be $25 / Grandstands : $15 - 5 and under are free and 6 to 12 are half price.

Southern Park Mall set to host the Mercer Raceway Park Race Car Show

By Mike Leone

March 1, 2003

Mercer, PA.The Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio is set to host the
Mercer Raceway Park "Dirt Track Race Car Show" this Wednesday through
Sunday, March 5-9. Hours for the show are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday
through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

After nearly a 30-year absence of race cars in the mall, the cars and stars
of Mercer Raceway Park will return for the fourth consecutive year to the
beautiful Mahoning County shopping complex. Mall management has stated that
other than Christmas time, this show has the largest traffic flow of the
year.

"We look forward to this show annually," noted fifth-year track owner Vicki
Emig. "There was some confusion with new management on our dates so the
show is one week earlier this year and we have to share the mall with a
health convention taking place. The mall has assured us that we will
receive our week and the entire mall back for 2004. Nonetheless, we have a
nice contingent of cars coming and everyone can stop by our booth and pick
up a copy of our 2003 color tri-fold schedule and brochure. It's always an
excellent opportunity for us to market Mercer Raceway Park to a fresh, new
audience."

The sprint cars will be represented by 2002 track champion, Troy Preston and
his #1P, of West Middlesex, Pa. New Castle, Pennsylvania's Dave Wagner will
display his car for the first time fresh off of his first ever top 10 point
showing, and Pup Nystrom will bring his car three hours from Kane, Pa. for
the first time. The team cars of Butch Beasley and Paul Kish, who will have
a non-winged car on display, will represent our wingless event. Ohio
newcomers, Scott Groves and Rusty Sansotti, will have their cars on display.
Chris Matthews is also expected to bring his #52 all the way from
Kennerdell, Pa.

Defending two-time Sportsman Modified Champion, Steve Young, will have the
J.R. Greer-owned #11t big-block modified on display. Mercer's Frank Guidace
and his sharp #99 will be displayed, while Dean Pearson will bring his car
from Harrisville, Pa. for the second straight year. New Castle's Andy
Priest will fly the Mac Tools logo on his #21N car, and Kevin Bolland's #777
is expected to return to the show as well.

Chad Reitz will be hot in search of the 2003 Sportsman Modified Championship
after a runner-up in his first season in a full-sized car. Reitz will make
the long tow from Franklin, Pa. for the first time to display a beautiful
brand new #9 race car. New Castle's Zack Moran will return to the show and
will have a teammate in 2003 in Kevin Green, who will also have his car on
display.

New Castle's Doug Iorio, who finished fifth in the 2002 points, leads the
stock car group with a new look to his #48 car. Three Ohio drivers
including William George, Sr., Billy Vance, and Chris Seamen will all be
displaying their cars.

Bob Williamson will bring the Charlie Jasinski-owned #93 e-mod to the show
and will be a new member of S.M.O.D.A., which will again hold their Mel
Myers Memorial Championship event at the raceway on September 27. Dick
Mauch, the new president of Twin-State Auto Racing Club, will display a
restored midget car.

Multi-time world champion, Jordan Lustik, will again have his unlimited
super stock "Silver Bullet" tractor for all to see. This will be the first
time that his new tractor has been on display at the mall. His powerful
machine represents the ATPA Grand American "Spring Nationals" event
presented by Hunter's Truck Sales & Service at The Park on Sunday, May 25.

There is the possibility of a few additional cars possibly making the show.
Mercer Raceway Park is again the title sponsor of the New Castle (PA) Soap
Box Derby. Some of these soap box cars for the youngsters will be set up
along with a display for the Greater Youngstown (OH) and Soap Box Derby.

Mercer Raceway Park kicks off the 2003 season on Saturday, April
5 at 7 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, April 6 at 5 p.m. A 27-night
schedule will run through October 5. Press releases on the upcoming season
will be forth coming. Mercer Raceway Park is located minutes from both
Interstates 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa.
Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly
April through October. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round
after 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call the
office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out
our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.

Anchored by Sears, JCPenney, Kaufmann's and Dillard's, Southern Park Mall is
home to 120 specialty stores including The Disney Store, Gap and GapKids.
Southern Park Mall is newly renovated with the addition of a Food Court and
exciting entertainment, including BW3 and Jillian's. From great shopping to
delicious eateries, Southern Park Mall has just what you need for the life
you lead. The mall is located just minutes south of Youngstown, Ohio at the
intersection of Route 224 and Route 7 in Boardman, Ohio. Check out
www.southern-park-mall.com for more information.