RGeeProductions
05-05-2010, 10:33 AM
Record opening night crowds set to benefit race teams.
Bowman Gray Stadium’s historic 62nd year is off to a roaring start – not only in terms of racing action but also in terms of spectator attendance. And with the increased crowds, Bowman Gray Stadium Racing management proudly announces an increase to prize earnings for competitors.
The opening night crowd for Stadium racing is always one of the biggest of the season - and the rain checks issued on April 24 and favorable weather for May 1 only added to the potential for a large crowd on Saturday. Then, of course, the new interest in Bowman Gray Stadium Racing generated by the recent “Madhouse” television show has had a sizeable effect on attendance.
“We’ve been blessed, and we’ve had a great turnout from the community,” said Gray Garrison, promoter of Bowman Gray Stadium Racing. “It took all the drivers and race teams to make this happen, so we’d like to give back to them to show our appreciation.”
Garrison hopes that the larger crowds and interest in Stadium racing will lead to more sponsorships for competitors from all divisions. “I think in this tough economy, the new excitement has been a breath of fresh air for Stadium competitors looking for sponsorships. Hopefully, it’s been easier and will be easier for them to get more sponsorship money,” said Garrison.
In addition to the extra potential sponsorship revenue for drivers, race teams will now receive increased prize earnings directly each night.
For years, the top 10 Modified finishers each night have received a $100 credit towards purchasing tires. This prize money will continue, but new for 2010 – the remainder of the Modified field will also receive a $50 credit each event towards the purchase of tires.
Also starting this season, a similar bonus will now exist for the other three divisions. For each night, the top 10 finishers in the Sportsman Series and the Street Stock Series will receive a $25 credit towards the purchase of tires. For the Stadium Stock Series, the top 10 finishers in each of the two races will receive a $25 tire credit.
“It ends up being over a 10% increase in our weekly prize money for competitors,” said Garrison. “We hope the drivers and crew members know that we do appreciate them, and hopefully this will show them our thanks for all the efforts that they put forth.”
Many expect the crowds to still be larger than normal for this Saturday’s Bill Plemmons RV World 100 for the Bill Plemmons RV World Modified Series. The season’s first 100-lapper will combine the full-field draw for position with the infamous Double-File “Choice” Restart Rule.
A double-header for the Webb Heating & A/C Co. Sportsman Series, a 20-lap race for the 104.1 WTQR Street Stock Series, and two 15-lap races for the Time Warner Cable Stadium Stock Series round out the racing lineup. And the night will end with the season’s first 109 U-Pull-It Demolition Derby .
Ticket gates open at 6:00 PM with qualifying starting at 7:10 PM. The first race will start at 8:00 PM. For more information, call (336) 723-1819 or visit www.bowmangrayracing.com (http://www.bowmangrayracing.com).
Loren Pinilis
Bowman Gray Stadium’s historic 62nd year is off to a roaring start – not only in terms of racing action but also in terms of spectator attendance. And with the increased crowds, Bowman Gray Stadium Racing management proudly announces an increase to prize earnings for competitors.
The opening night crowd for Stadium racing is always one of the biggest of the season - and the rain checks issued on April 24 and favorable weather for May 1 only added to the potential for a large crowd on Saturday. Then, of course, the new interest in Bowman Gray Stadium Racing generated by the recent “Madhouse” television show has had a sizeable effect on attendance.
“We’ve been blessed, and we’ve had a great turnout from the community,” said Gray Garrison, promoter of Bowman Gray Stadium Racing. “It took all the drivers and race teams to make this happen, so we’d like to give back to them to show our appreciation.”
Garrison hopes that the larger crowds and interest in Stadium racing will lead to more sponsorships for competitors from all divisions. “I think in this tough economy, the new excitement has been a breath of fresh air for Stadium competitors looking for sponsorships. Hopefully, it’s been easier and will be easier for them to get more sponsorship money,” said Garrison.
In addition to the extra potential sponsorship revenue for drivers, race teams will now receive increased prize earnings directly each night.
For years, the top 10 Modified finishers each night have received a $100 credit towards purchasing tires. This prize money will continue, but new for 2010 – the remainder of the Modified field will also receive a $50 credit each event towards the purchase of tires.
Also starting this season, a similar bonus will now exist for the other three divisions. For each night, the top 10 finishers in the Sportsman Series and the Street Stock Series will receive a $25 credit towards the purchase of tires. For the Stadium Stock Series, the top 10 finishers in each of the two races will receive a $25 tire credit.
“It ends up being over a 10% increase in our weekly prize money for competitors,” said Garrison. “We hope the drivers and crew members know that we do appreciate them, and hopefully this will show them our thanks for all the efforts that they put forth.”
Many expect the crowds to still be larger than normal for this Saturday’s Bill Plemmons RV World 100 for the Bill Plemmons RV World Modified Series. The season’s first 100-lapper will combine the full-field draw for position with the infamous Double-File “Choice” Restart Rule.
A double-header for the Webb Heating & A/C Co. Sportsman Series, a 20-lap race for the 104.1 WTQR Street Stock Series, and two 15-lap races for the Time Warner Cable Stadium Stock Series round out the racing lineup. And the night will end with the season’s first 109 U-Pull-It Demolition Derby .
Ticket gates open at 6:00 PM with qualifying starting at 7:10 PM. The first race will start at 8:00 PM. For more information, call (336) 723-1819 or visit www.bowmangrayracing.com (http://www.bowmangrayracing.com).
Loren Pinilis