Lancaster Sets Schedule For 29th US Open Weekend

Story By: DAVE BUCHANAN / LANCASTER SPEEDWAY – LANCASTER, NY – Lancaster National Speedway is ready to once again host the biggest party of the racing season with the 29th running of U.S. Open weekend, September 22-24.

Western New York’s Racing Finale kicks off of Friday night, September 22, with the traditional practice session and U.S. Open Kickoff Party. Pit gates open and inspection begins at 4 p.m. with practice for all divisions taking place from 6-9:30. The grandstand gates will open at 5:30, and fans will be allowed to enter for free to watch practice.

Immediately after practice the main concourse will come to life with the U.S. Open Kickoff Party. Buffalo’s premier retro band, Disco Duck, will be playing live music starting at 9:30 p.m., just outside of the 12 Gates Brewing Beer Stand.

Saturday’s racing action will be headlined by the 75 lap main event for the Sunoco Sportsman. The top Sportsman teams from across the region will do battle against Lancaster’s weekly regulars to make the starting grid for one of the most prestigious races for Sportsman Modifieds.

The Race of Champions Super Stocks, Roaming Buffalo 4-Cylinders and NYPA TQ Midgets will also run their heats and features on Saturday. Pit gates open at 12:30 p.m. with practice starting at 2. Front gates will also open at 2 p.m. with qualifying beginning at 4:30.

The Race of Champions Modified Series takes center stage on Sunday with the running of the 29th annual U.S. Open 125. This race is the biggest of the year for Modified racing in Western New York and is the penultimate event of the RoC Series season.

Last season Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, N.Y. completed his season sweep of the four RoC Series races at Lancaster with his first U.S. Open victory. This year Emerling will look to pad his points lead in the RoC Series as he defends his U.S. Open title.

The Advance Auto Parts Street Stocks and Race of Champions Late Models fill out the program on Sunday afternoon. Both highly competitive divisions will have stacked fields going after the chance to add their name to the U.S. Open trophy.

Pit gates open on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with practice beginning and front gates opening at 12 noon. Heat racing starts at 2 p.m.

Driver registration forms for the U.S. Open are available on the Lancaster National Speedway website. Ticket pricing for U.S. Open weekend will be announced shortly. Camping for the U.S. Open will continue to remain free.

About Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway: Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway, WNY’s Premier Motorsports and Event Facility, 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).

The 29th Annual U.S. OPEN – September 22-24, 2017
Lancaster National Speedway; Lancaster, NY
*All times and events are subject to change

Friday, September 22

4 p.m. Pit Gates Open, Inspection Begins
5:30 p.m. Grandstand Gates Open FREE ADMISSION
6 p.m. Practice – by division (minimum of two rounds)
9:30 p.m. (approx.) Conclusion of Practice – U.S. Open “Kick-Off Party” with band Disco Duck
11:30 p.m. Pit Area Closed / Secure Facility

Saturday, September 23

12:30 p.m. Pit Gates Open – Inspection Begins
2 p.m. Front Gates Open – Practice by Division (2 Rounds per Division – Inner Oval First)
4 p.m. Driver’s Meetings (Tech Barn)
4:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies (Invocation & Anthems) followed by heat races

Roaming Buffalo 4-Cylinder Qualifying Races (8 laps) – Inner Oval
NYPA T.Q. Midget Qualifying Races (8 laps) – Inner Oval
Race of Champions Super Stock Qualifying Races (8 laps)
Sunoco Sportsman Qualifying Races – (10 laps)

Roaming Buffalo 4 Cylinder Feature Race (25 laps) – Inner Oval
NYPA T.Q. Midget Feature Race (25 laps) – Inner Oval
Sunoco Sportsman B-Main IF NEEDED (10 laps)
Sportsman Redraw on Fronstretch (time permitting)
Race of Champions Super Stock Feature (30 laps)
Sunoco Sportsman Feature (75 laps)

Sunday, September 24

10:30 a.m. Pit Gates Open
12:00 p.m. Front Gates Open – Practice by Street Stocks & Late Models (2 Rounds per Division)
1 p.m. Modified Practice (2 rounds)
1:30 p.m. Driver’s Meetings (Tech Barn)
2 p.m. Opening Ceremonies (Invocation & Anthems) followed by qualifying

Race of Champions Modified Series Group Time Trials (G-W-C)
Advance Auto Parts Street Stock Qualifying Races (8 laps)
Race of Champions Late Model Qualifying Races (8 laps)
Race of Champions Modified Series Qualifying Races (10 laps)

Street Stock B-Main IF NEEDED (10 laps)
Modified B-Main IF NEEDED (10 laps)
Modified Redraw on Fronstretch

Advance Auto Parts Street Stock Feature (35 laps)
Race of Champions Late Model Feature (30 laps)
Race of Champions Modified Series U.S. Open 125 (125 laps)