Huge Turnout For Lancaster’s 2017 Driver Registration

Story By: DAVE BUCHANAN / LANCASTER SPEEDWAY – LANCASTER, NY – Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway hosted its annual Driver Registration party on Friday night at Magruder’s Pub & Restaurant in Depew, N.Y.

The enthusiasm surrounding the exciting 2016 season at Lancaster has not diminished during the offseason as more than 150 teams signed up for the 2017 campaign for the Franco’s Pizza Friday IHRA Drag Racing program and the X-Press Signs Saturday Night Stock Car Series. That is an increase of 30 teams from last year’s registration event.

“I am overwhelmed at the turnout we had for our Racer Registration, to say the least,” said Tim Packman, Track President. “We picked up more than 10 new Stock Car teams and we still have more to come.

“Like I’ve said many times before, we are nothing without our drivers and crew members and last night shows Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway is headed in the right direction because of their commitment. This also guarantees our fans in the stands are going to see action-packed racing in 2017.”

Registered drivers are eligible to earn points fund money at their respective program’s season-ending banquet at the end of the season.

Over 80 drivers registered for the drag racing points program, including several new faces. In addition to running for the championship in their respective class, drag racers that signed up can represent Team Lancaster at the IHRA Team Finals at Pittsburgh in September. The drag racing community is optimistic for the future at Lancaster following the installment of a new concrete racing surface last year.

A total of 73 stock car teams registered for the upcoming season. There was solid turnout for all three weekly classes with 28 drivers registering for the Sunoco Sportsman, 30 in the Advance Auto Parts Street Stocks and 15 in the Roaming Buffalo 4-Cylinders.

This past season was the best in over decade for the stock car program with increased car counts, and the trend will continue heading into 2017.

During the meeting Track President Tim Packman made several announcements regarding some marketing partnerships for the upcoming season. X-Press Signs has stepped up their involvement at Lancaster to be the new title sponsor for the stock car program. Drivers that have registered for the 2017 season in either program are now eligible to receive Corporate Account discounts at their local Advance Auto Parts thanks to an extended marketing partnership with national auto parts retailer.

Due to the increased support from X-Press Signs and Advance Auto Parts, it was also announced that the purse for the Advance Auto Parts Street Stocks will be increased in 2017 to $200 to win and $40 to start the feature.

Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway kicks off its 59th season of racing on Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. with the Queen City Clash stock car season opener. The first drag racing event is scheduled for Friday, April 28 with a Test n’ Tune session followed by the first points race on Friday, May 5.