RGeeProductions
04-09-2015, 11:08 PM
LANCASTER ANNOUNCES NEW OPENING DATE AND UNVEILS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY
The new management of the Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway has unveiled a multiyear capital improvement plan as part of its commitment to revitalize the historic racing facility and announced a new opening date due to improvement delays resulting from the harsh winter.
Construction crews began work at the speedway this week with the first phase of that plan.
Headlining the first year of capital improvements is a long overdue face lift of the frontstretch grandstands. Anyone interested in obtaining one of the old boards as a souvenir, or for any other purpose, can pick them up at the speedway during normal business hours.
The racing surface itself will go through some revitalization this spring with major repairs planned for stock car oval as well as the 1/8-mile dragstrip. Some of the work will include repaving several damaged areas of asphalt.
Signage around the facility will be replaced to improve aesthetic appeal and to reflect the restoration of the iconic speedway logo.
These were three areas identified by management that needed immediate attention. Additional repairs and upgrades to various parts of the facility will continue over the next three years.
The harsh winter weather, which has plagued Western New York and much of the Northeast, had delayed the rolling out of this ambitious project. The full scope of the repairs and improvements needed could not be fully determined until most of the snow and ice melted from the property.
Although work commenced this week, the harsh winter has pushed out the much anticipated re-opening a month. Lancaster National Speedway will lift the lid on the 2015 season with a special two-day event for the Franco’s Pizza IHRA Weekly Drag Racing Series. The action starts on Friday, May 8 with time trials and qualifying for all classes. Eliminations and points begin on Saturday, May 9. The exciting Quick 16 class will make its season debut that weekend, plus appearances from the Street Outlaws and Buffalo Superchargers. The Seneca Resorts & Casino Saturday Night Stock Car Series kicks off on Saturday, May 16 with Lancaster's four weekly home track divisions: Sportsman, Street Stocks, TQ Midgets and 4-Cylinders.
The racing planned for the originally intended opening weekend of April 18 & 19th, including the Race of Champions Modified Tour event, will no longer take place due to the weather delays.
“The weather has been a challenge indeed,” stated Lancaster National Speedway general manager, Melissa McGowan. “Mother Nature may have delayed us, but we will persevere and begin the process which we have all waited so patiently for. We have exciting plans ahead of us and a lot of fantastic improvements approved, and now that the weather has cleared up we can dig in and get things moving.”
Saturday, April 18 has now been designated as a “Community Clean-Up” day at Lancaster. Racers, fans and sponsors are invited to come out to the track and help get it ready for the racing season. We will need help with painting, cleaning up of the grounds and other minor repairs. Anyone attending is encouraged to dress appropriately and bring any necessary tools, including rakes, paint brushes and work gloves. Speedway management will provide food for all volunteers.
There will be a preseason practice session for stock car teams. The date and time of that practice will be announced at a later date.
The Race of Champions Modified Tour will still make three visits to Lancaster during the upcoming season. The first of those dates is Thursday, June 25 with the inaugural running of the "Ol' Boy" Cup 60. The RoC Tour returns on Saturday, August 15 for the Tommy Druar/Tony Jankowiak Memorial 110. They will also be a part of the 27th annual US Open on Sunday, September 27.
The full schedule of events for the 2015 season is available on the all-new speedway website at www.lancasternationalspeedway.com.
Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway is a multi-use facility located on 77 acres just outside of metropolitan Buffalo, NY. The facility features a 1/8-mile drag, a 5/8-mile oval track and hosts several non-motorsports events such as car shows and concerts. For the latest information on Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway check out our all-new website www.lancasternationalspeedway.com. Additional information for racers and fans can be found on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LancasterSpeedway) and on Twitter (@LancasterSpdwy).
Dave Buchanan
The new management of the Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway has unveiled a multiyear capital improvement plan as part of its commitment to revitalize the historic racing facility and announced a new opening date due to improvement delays resulting from the harsh winter.
Construction crews began work at the speedway this week with the first phase of that plan.
Headlining the first year of capital improvements is a long overdue face lift of the frontstretch grandstands. Anyone interested in obtaining one of the old boards as a souvenir, or for any other purpose, can pick them up at the speedway during normal business hours.
The racing surface itself will go through some revitalization this spring with major repairs planned for stock car oval as well as the 1/8-mile dragstrip. Some of the work will include repaving several damaged areas of asphalt.
Signage around the facility will be replaced to improve aesthetic appeal and to reflect the restoration of the iconic speedway logo.
These were three areas identified by management that needed immediate attention. Additional repairs and upgrades to various parts of the facility will continue over the next three years.
The harsh winter weather, which has plagued Western New York and much of the Northeast, had delayed the rolling out of this ambitious project. The full scope of the repairs and improvements needed could not be fully determined until most of the snow and ice melted from the property.
Although work commenced this week, the harsh winter has pushed out the much anticipated re-opening a month. Lancaster National Speedway will lift the lid on the 2015 season with a special two-day event for the Franco’s Pizza IHRA Weekly Drag Racing Series. The action starts on Friday, May 8 with time trials and qualifying for all classes. Eliminations and points begin on Saturday, May 9. The exciting Quick 16 class will make its season debut that weekend, plus appearances from the Street Outlaws and Buffalo Superchargers. The Seneca Resorts & Casino Saturday Night Stock Car Series kicks off on Saturday, May 16 with Lancaster's four weekly home track divisions: Sportsman, Street Stocks, TQ Midgets and 4-Cylinders.
The racing planned for the originally intended opening weekend of April 18 & 19th, including the Race of Champions Modified Tour event, will no longer take place due to the weather delays.
“The weather has been a challenge indeed,” stated Lancaster National Speedway general manager, Melissa McGowan. “Mother Nature may have delayed us, but we will persevere and begin the process which we have all waited so patiently for. We have exciting plans ahead of us and a lot of fantastic improvements approved, and now that the weather has cleared up we can dig in and get things moving.”
Saturday, April 18 has now been designated as a “Community Clean-Up” day at Lancaster. Racers, fans and sponsors are invited to come out to the track and help get it ready for the racing season. We will need help with painting, cleaning up of the grounds and other minor repairs. Anyone attending is encouraged to dress appropriately and bring any necessary tools, including rakes, paint brushes and work gloves. Speedway management will provide food for all volunteers.
There will be a preseason practice session for stock car teams. The date and time of that practice will be announced at a later date.
The Race of Champions Modified Tour will still make three visits to Lancaster during the upcoming season. The first of those dates is Thursday, June 25 with the inaugural running of the "Ol' Boy" Cup 60. The RoC Tour returns on Saturday, August 15 for the Tommy Druar/Tony Jankowiak Memorial 110. They will also be a part of the 27th annual US Open on Sunday, September 27.
The full schedule of events for the 2015 season is available on the all-new speedway website at www.lancasternationalspeedway.com.
Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway is a multi-use facility located on 77 acres just outside of metropolitan Buffalo, NY. The facility features a 1/8-mile drag, a 5/8-mile oval track and hosts several non-motorsports events such as car shows and concerts. For the latest information on Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway check out our all-new website www.lancasternationalspeedway.com. Additional information for racers and fans can be found on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LancasterSpeedway) and on Twitter (@LancasterSpdwy).
Dave Buchanan