Land Of Legends Raceway Set To Lead Off With Double Dose Of Dirt Action

Story By: TOM SKIBINSKI / LAND OF LEGENDS RACEWAY – CANANDAIGUA, NY – As wet and windy spring weather conditions continue to keep speedway officials busy in their efforts to offer opening-day programs, the Land of Legends Raceway promotional team of Paul Cole, General Manager Greg Emerson and Race Director Greg Hixson remains one of the most active.

In lieu of the recent rain and cold temperatures plaguing Western New York, the tireless trio has announced an economic plan to provide a full day of activity to kick off the 55th season of motorsports at the Ontario County Fairgrounds on April 21.

Gates will open at 11 a.m. and the first laps around the hallowed half-miler for all classes in an open practice session follow from 12noon-2:30 p.m. Grandstand general admission is free to the public and the pit fee is $20.

The main grandstands and pit area will then be cleared by 3 o’clock. Racers can re-enter the pits at 4 p.m. while fans are welcomed back at 5 o’clock to purchase their preferred seat tickets for the upcoming ‘Saturday Spectacular.’ Warm-ups are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with the first qualifying race going green at 7 o’clock.

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.

The pit fee is $30 —all going towards the season-ending drivers’ point fund— and anyone gaining access to the pits for both afternoon practice and evening racing on opening-day will receive a $5 reduction.

“We continue to keep our fingers crossed looking ahead to brighter days and the great field of cars expected to sign in every week,” remarked Cole, recognized during the day as owner of nationally-acclaimed Champion Power Equipment distributor SuperGen Products in nearby Newark N.Y., and more recently after hours as first-year LOLR promoter. “We’re doing everything in our power to get the fairgrounds race-ready between raindrops.”

The 2018 season gets underway officially on April 21 when the ground-pounding Pepsi Big-Block Modified, Donath Motor Worx Sportsman, Big Dog Country Street Stock, Mike Emhof Motorsports 305 Sprint Car and New Legends Sportsman teams gather for their first ‘Saturday Spectacular’ in wine country.

Product 9 & Daldry Canvas present the lead-off event to launch LOLR into a new era of motorsports at the 65 year-old fairgrounds facility.

“We’re certainly anxious to get the season underway,” remarked Emerson, joining Cole in his first season directing race operations at the formidable fairgrounds oval. “Just disappointed the way this week went weather-wise, not only for us but all the racers and fans that made plans. Its very gratifying that our two sponsors are willing to postpone their race night involvement for another week and come back and support us. Despite the delay its still hard not to be excited with all the new programs we’re looking to offer, its going to be a great year when it finally takes off.”

Emerson also boasted about the numerous food vendors that are being lined up to serve hungry pit patrons their favorite selections throughout the upcoming race season, with the Tom Wahl’s cookout rig slated to be parked pitside on opening day. A family tradition in Avon, NY since 1955, the popular Wahl’s restaurant chain has become famous for its mouth-watering Wahlburger and frosted mugs of hand-crafted root beer.

Led by defending track champion Matt Sheppard aboard his familiar #9s Dendis Companies, Westmoreland Golf Club, Xtreme Lubricants-backed Bicknell machine, an expected all-star cast of Big-Block chauffeurs in Canandaigua this season includes fellow Super DIRTcar Series standouts Peter Britten and teammates Jimmy Phelps and Max McLaughlin plus local legends Alan Johnson and Steve Paine along with veterans Justin Haers and Gil Tegg Jr.

Dave Marcuccilli (Sportsman), Adam DePuy (Street Stock) and Jason Whipple (Sprint) also claimed divisional crowns last year while Paine (Mod), Matt Guererri (Spt), Bob Buono (Sts) and Lee Sanders (305) captured checkered flags in 2017 season-opening feature events.