RoC Asphalt Opener At Lancaster Pays Tribute To Fans
Story By: DAVE BUCHANAN / LANCASTER, NY – Lancaster National Speedway and Race of Champions management wanted to come up with a way to thank the loyal fans of the track and series.
Thus, the first Race of Champions Modified event for 2017 will be the “Fans in the Stands 75” scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at WNY’s Premier Motorsports facility.
“Joe Skotnicki of the Race of Champions and myself were talking about what their season opener could be called,” said Tim Packman, Track President. “Our opener the week before is the “Queen City Clash” and we were kicking around a Buffalo or WNY theme. But, we wanted to make it more personal to the track and series.
“Who better to pay tribute to than the people who have stuck by the track through the good and bad times. The fans of Lancaster have been an inspiration and reason to keep making improvements to the facility and why we have grown crowd and car counts in recent years.
“Having this race in their honor, is our honor.”
Skotnicki took over the Race of Champions in 2016 and has been involved at Lancaster in various capacities during his racing career. He knows what Modified racing means to Lancaster, and what the fans of the track mean to the open-wheel Ground Pounders.
“Modified racing has a strong history at Lancaster and the fans are a big reason we have four events there every year,” Skotnicki said. “Like the track, last year was a good one for the Race of Champions Modified Asphalt Series in growth and racing action.
“Having a race to honor fans of Lancaster and Modified racing is just our way of saying thank you for their support through the years. Both us and the track are heading in a good direction and none of it would matter without those people who spend their hard-earned money and time to watch.”
In addition to the Race of Champions Modifieds running the “Fans in the Stands 75” that day, the Race of Champions Super Stocks, Advance Auto Parts Street Stocks and Roaming Buffalo 4 Cylinders will be competing that day.
About Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway: Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway is a multi-use facility located on 77 acres just outside of metropolitan Buffalo, N.Y. The facility features a 1/8-mile drag strip, a 1/2-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 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).
About the Race of Champions: The Race of Champions is a sanctioning body presenting Modified and Stock Car racing on asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The 67th annual Race of Champions weekend will take place in 2017 and is the second longest consecutive auto-racing event in North America, second only to the Indianapolis 500.
Speedway Announces 2017 Facility Improvements
Two improvements will be made to the dragway portion of the facility starting with the replacement of the burnout box, as well as the two sections of concrete just in front of them. Oak Orchard Concrete, owned by long-time drag racing supporter Tim Payne, was awarded the bid.
Another improvement is right around the 60-foot mark of the ⅛-mile dragstrip where the existing starting line area meets the newer concrete surface that was installed last year. A slight dip in the MacKenzie’s Automotive and Performance Center Lane No. 1 will be addressed and raised up to make it level. Last year, Bravo Concrete Maintenance successfully did a similar procedure to the Franco’s Pizza Lane No. 2, and will perform the work on Lane 1 before the Franco’s Pizza IHRA Drag Racing season starts on April 29.
The sound system for the pit areas used by both drag racing and stock car competitors will receive an upgrade with new wiring and speakers being installed. This is being done to reduce delays for both racing programs as competitors will have an easier time hearing when their division or class is called to their respective staging areas.
The fan concourse will receive an upgrade as well with the construction of a brand new 12 Gates Brewing Beer Stand. The old structure, previously known as Bruz’s Place, will be taken down with a new building going up in its place. Plans call for an area for people to hang out with a view to both the drag and stock car action. 12 Gates Brewing of Williamsville, N.Y. became the official sponsor of Lancaster’s beer stand prior to last season.
“This is just another step regarding the commitment of the ownership group towards the teams and loyal supporters of Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway,” said Tim Packman, Track President. “The past three years have marked significant improvements and repairs to multiple areas of the track. The results have been growth in fans, race teams, reputation and a positive vibe about Lancaster.
“We’ve announced new shows coming to the track like ISMA Supermodifieds, Buffalo Street Outlaws Thunderdome, Niagara Auto Swap Meet & Car Show and Monster Trucks, to name a few. We are also adding new food items to our concession stands, namely the return of fresh cut fries.
“The anticipation for both race teams and fans has been picking up the past few weeks as we get closer to our openers. And, improvements like these just further that along a little more.”
These improvements are scheduled to be completed before the start of the season with additional projects to possibly be undertaken during the year.
The “Queen City Clash” opener for the X-Press Signs Stock Car Series is Saturday, April 22 and is followed by the Race of Champions Modified Series “Fans in the Stands 75” on Saturday, April 29; both are 2 p.m. starts. The Franco’s Pizza Friday Night Drag Racing season kicks off with a Test n’ Tune on Friday, April 28 and points begin on Friday, May 5.
