RPW Column: Let’s Go Racin’; Land Of Legends Adds New Year’s Hangover 100 To ’21 Schedule

RPW Column By: MARTY CZEKALA / RPW – CANANDAIGUA, NY – On Wednesday night, Land of Legends Raceway promoter Paul Cole and Hangover promoter Tana Robinson announced they would kick off 2021 right by hosting the 18th Hangover 100, set for New Year’s Day on Friday January 1st.

This is the first time Land of Legends will host the New Year’s tradition, known as the “Hangover gets a Double Shot” after the year 2020 has been going. Last year, the event went to Utica-Rome Speedway after spending 16 years at Ransomville Speedway.

“Racing is full of history. Some of it is drivers, some of it is tracks, some of it is special races. Tana had contacted me looking for a home for 2021 for the Hangover. Having the opportunity to host a fun off season event that has the history to it was a no brainer,” said Cole in a statement to Race Pro Weekly. “Spent a few hours working out the specifics and jumped right in to promoting the “Double Shot”. Looking forward to a great time with an affordable event that will help us get through the winter and back to spring.”

“Having the race centrally located at Land of Legends Raceway is very exciting as it will most likely elevate numbers potentially to those seen at Ransomville,” said Robinson. “The Friesen family thought outside the box on this event and it’s an honor to be able to continue the tradition.”

Robinson likes the fact that the Canandaigua track is close to Ransomville Speedway.

“The proximity to Western New York, where the event started, is a big positive,” she said. “Couple that with the stature LOLR has in the racing community and it’s a recipe for great success. I’ve been attending races there for over 30 years and am super excited to be working alongside Paul Cole.”

This year’s race will be unique as it is divided into two races, 50 laps each for 4-cylinders and 6-cylinders. A large car count is expected once again for the 2021 edition, which led to the race being split up into twin 50 lap races.

“At Ransomville we were running separate events for each class based on car counts. Last year, we really weren’t sure what to expect with one 100 lap race. Attrition showed us 100 was too many on a larger track such as that. With LOLR also being large and the car count we expect, we feel it was best to run two 50s, one for each division,” commented Robinson.

Robinson also confirmed that this event replaces the Hangover 2.1 which was set for Utica-Rome for the second consecutive year. Robinson told Race Pro Weekly that “under current circumstances” the Shea family (owners of Utica-Rome Speedway) and her “decided it would be best and continue with the tradition.”

Last year’s race was won by DIRTCar Sportsman competitor Chris Mackey.

Pre-registration begins this Friday at 8 am. Drivers have been encouraged to sign up as early as possible with the starting lineup being determined by order of registration.

The green flag will come out at noon and can be seen live on Land of Legends TV.

The New Year’s tradition goes back to 2000 at a Ransomville banquet when a local chassis builder, Loren Fish, brought up the idea of racing on New Year’s Day. Seven weeks later, it was born on January 1st, 2001 with 42 cars racing and has been a local New Year’s tradition since.