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LongIslandJam
03-20-2011, 11:19 AM
(LEHIGHTON, PA 3-20-11) Thanks in part to a number of highly attended mall and car shows over the past few weeks, fans of Mahoning Valley Speedway got a sneak peak at a variety of cars that will be partaking in the upcoming season at the Lehigton paved ¼-mile oval and judging by the input received at all those events, by all accounts 2011 is looking very impressive.

The dawn of the new season is about to begin as the much anticipated April 16 opener draws ever so close.

Run under the promotional direction of husband and wife team Doug and Gena Hoffman, Mahoning Valley Speedway is about to embark on its 25th consecutive year of racing since re-opening in 1987.

Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Mods and Pro4 Late Models will again make up the weekly slate of stock car competition along with a variety of top quality touring divisions added throughout the season making for a solid 24 weeks of Saturday night racing that will run through October 1.

The highlight of the year will be the return of the popular Mahoning Valley Speedway Poker Tournament. This unique promotion has continued to gain rave reviews since it was first introduced in 2008. Last year it was nominated by the Eastern Motorsport Press Association for the ‘News Maker of the Year Award.’

The Poker Tournament will again be a 7 card stud format which is made up of five 100-lap features and a pair of regular 35-lap runs. The 100-lappers pay $3000 to win.

At the end of each Poker Race the top 13 finishers will receive a card all from the same suit starting with an ace going to the winner and so on. Either clubs, spades, hearts or diamonds will be picked at the end of each feature by the winner who will draw a card to see what suit the race was run in that evening.
By having the two 35-lap or ‘wild card’ features, drivers can add to their poker hand and then use their five best cards.

At the end of the final Poker race the top three drivers with the best hand will share in the $6000 jackpot. First place pays $2500 with $1500 for second and $1000 for third. John Markovic is the defending Poker Tournament champ. This year the track will award $1000 to the driver with the ‘worst’ poker hand.

You must compete in all five 100-lap races to be eligible for the poker money. The 100 lappers begin with the season opener on April 16. May 21, July 2, August 20 and October 1 are the others. Early entry fee is $50 per event. Day of race is $75.

Other focal points include a pair of 100-lap, $1000-to-win Street Stock features. The Gene Bowers Street Stock 100, a newly added feature paying homage to the late Gene Bowers who passed away late season, will be contested on May 28. The annual Labor Day Street Stock 100 rolls off on September 3.

The lightning fast TQ Midgets of the touring ATQMRA will see action on five race nights. May 14, June 25, July 9, August 13 and September 13.

Last year the time-honored group returned to the speedway and ran a pair of twin 20-lap features in a total elapsed time of just over six minutes. That same night Paul Lotier, Jr., set an all-time track record at 8.954-seconds.

Additional touring groups coming to Mahoning include the 4c Super Modifieds and the Micro Stocks. Fan Appreciation Night will be held on June 4.
Before any on track action takes place the speedway will conduct a Flea Market at the track on Saturday, March 26 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Admission is free. Retail vendor admission is $30 per space.

Drivers wishing to get in practice can do so as Test and Tune days will take place on April 2, 9 &10 from noon to 4:00 pm. Grandstand admission is free for all practices.

Mahoning Valley Speedway is conveniently located just west of Lehighton on PA Route 443. For additional updates and information log onto www.mahoningspeedway.com or call the track office at 570-386-4900. You can also follow check them out on Facebook.