Cold & Wet Weather Cancel April 7th Practice At Land Of Legends Raceway

Story By: TOM SKIBINSKI / LAND OF LEGENDS RACEWAY – CANANDAIGUA, NY – The first of two practice sessions scheduled for Sat., April 7 at the Land of Legends Raceway has been cancelled. A second round of pre-season warm-ups is slated for Thr., April 12 beginning at 5 p.m. Grandstand general admission is free to the public and the pit fee is $20.

Anticipation remains high for the first ‘Saturday Spectacular’ on Sat., April 14 at the historic Ontario County Fairgrounds oval, with the 55th season-opener featuring a full card of Pepsi Big-Block Modified, Donath Motor Worx Sportsman, Street Stock, Mike Emhof Motorsports 305 Sprint Car and New Legends Sportsman racing.

“Although the crew has continued to groom the track that is race ready, Mother Nature has worked against us in all our efforts to hold practice on Saturday,” Cole disclosed on Tuesday afternoon, providing race teams, their fans and speedway staff ample time to plan otherwise. “With the pit area still in need of some drier weather and the forecast including temperatures in the 30s, we’ve decided to cancel the first day of practice and give everyone notice far enough in advance.”

Main grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. and racing begins promptly at 7 p.m. for the April 14 lid-lifter. The adult grandstand ticket price is $15 for all Saturday Spectaculars, $13 for Seniors (65 yrs. plus) while 16 and under are FREE with a paid adult. Reserved Grandstand seating for a weekly show is $17 and $2 for all children 16 and under. Seniors 65+ are $15.

“I went to the fairgrounds last week so I kinda figured Paul (Cole) would pull the plug for this weekend,” revealed defending Big-Block Modified track champion Matt Sheppard, who plans to return in search of a fifth opening-day victory at the legendary half-miler since his 2003 rookie debut. Sheppard finished the 2017 campaign dead-locked with weekly rival Justin Haers atop the final point standings yet his division-best eight feature wins secured ‘Super Matt’ the coveted Canandaigua crown for the eighth time.

“Everything was pretty wet and Paul and his team were doing their best to get equipment moving around and keep working. I think its definitely better to start out the season on a high note and continue to build from there,” added Sheppard, whose growing Product 9 business joins with Daldry Canvas to present the kick-off program in less than two weeks.

Steve Paine (Mod), Matt Guererri (Spt), Bob Buono (Sts) and Lee Sanders (305) captured opening night checkered flags in 2017. Paine and Sheppard have garnered every Modified track title during the millennium at LOLR, with veteran wheelman Danny Johnson the last to break the two Waterloo drivers stronghold in 1999.

“We’ve been working feverishly getting the Land of Legends facility ready for a Spectacular 2018 season,” remarked Director of Operations Greg Emerson. “We’re ready and the track is ready but the pits and parking lot are not dry enough to accommodate all the haulers and cars expected. With (Tuesday) rain and more rain and colder temperatures in the forecast, we were forced to call off this Saturday’s practice. An early announcement will give race teams and fans time to refocus their weekend agenda and we look forward to seeing everyone back here next week.”

Throughout the upcoming season advance sale tickets are available for purchase onlne. Log into www.LandOfLegendsRaceway.com, hit the red “Buy Tickets” button on the homepage, then make a selection from the list of dates & events highlighted.