NASCAR Cup Rookie Ryan Preece To Sign Autographs At Motorsports 2019 Trade Show
Story By: ERNIE SAXTON / SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS – OAKS, PA – Just a few weeks before he kicks off his quest for the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors Ryan Preece will join Darrell Waltrip and Ray Evernham at the 34th Annual edition of the Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports Racecar & Trade Show Fueled by Sunoco Race Fuels Distributed by Insinger Performance.
The three day show, featuring just about everything imaginable in motorsports, will take place Friday, January 18 through Sunday, January 20 at the hugely popular Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa.
Preece, a graduate of Quarter- Midgets, won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour title in 2013 after twice being runner-up in the standings. After 22 Modified Tour victories and 76 top-five finishes he took a huge chance and raised money to fund a move to NASCAR’s Xfinity Series.
After competing one year for an underfunded team, Preece risked all his funding on just three events. Driving a Joe Gibbs Toyota, he finished second to teammate Kyle Busch in his first chance in a top running car. After winning in his second effort, Gibbs granted Preece other assignments in one of his cars and he won again on NASCAR’s Xfinity series this past season on the high banks of Bristol in Tennessee.
The 27-year-old, a native of Berlin, Connecticut, recently got his big break to compete full-time next year on the Cup series. He has signed a multi-year deal to replace AJ Allmendinger as the 2019 driver of JTG Daugherty No. 47 Chevy.
“Tommy Lasorda (retired Hall of Fame coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers) says, ‘The difference between impossible and possible lies in a man’s determination,’ and I feel that JTG Daugherty has just that,” said Preece.
“It’s been many years of fighting for opportunities to compete and win races at NASCAR’s highest level, and it is nice to officially say that JTG Daugherty Racing is my new home for 2019,” reflected Preece. “I look forward to not only racing, but working with the team as well to build speed and create a name for myself here.”
Preece, and NASCAR Hall of Famers Darrell Waltrip and Ray Evernham will be crowd pleasers as they sign autographs and are interviewed during the show that will fill the giant Expo Hall.
Evernham will have a number of his very interesting race cars on display during the show. The first NASCAR Cup car that Waltrip ever drove will be at the event as well. Gary Mondschein will also have his always crowd pleasing Vintage Indy Cars as a popular attraction.
More than 200 racecars will be on display during the three days, with many top racers and motorsports personalities appearing. As usual, all autographs will be free.
There will be a large number of displays with speedways offering information on their 2019 seasons. Hardcore racing vendors will be a big part of the show and fans will have the opportunity to gain some bargains from vendors offering collectible items. A number of free industry seminars will be offered.
Also sure to be a crowd pleaser will be the “Reading Speedway Reunion.” That event will be dedicated to the memory of the great racing action that took place at Pa.’s Reading Fairgrounds Speedway before it closed 40 years ago. Drivers and team members who competed at that track will attend to meet the fans, and there will be a large display of vintage race cars that ran at Reading.
One of the most popular events during the three day show has been, and will be, the Ms. Motorsports Pageant sponsored by Aqua Duck Water Transport that will see one woman walk off with a $1,500 cash prize along with a poster deal.
Motorsports 2019 opens on Friday, January 18 at 2 p.m., then at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The show closes at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday. On Sunday, all children 12 and under are FREE with a parent.