DELAWARE SUMMER SHOWDOWN QUALIFYING PROCEDURE AND RACE FORMAT ANNOUNCED
London, ON (March 25, 2010): Delaware Speedway, near London, Ontario, is offering local and regional drivers a rare opportunity to compete against NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars Kyle Busch, David Reutimann and Regan Smith. The highly anticipated July 7th event, the First Annual Summer Showdown, will be open to any Late Model race team that meets Delaware Speedway's rules.
"We want to have this event to showcase our premier class (the NASCAR Late Models) and have our top drivers compete against some of the best stock-car drivers in the world," said Jeff Wilcox, Delaware Speedway's Race Director. "It's also an event that can showcase all of Ontario's talent and that's why it's open to drivers from other tracks."Wilcox feels the Delaware Summer Showdown is an opportunity for the track to show its appreciation to the Late Model race teams that have supported the track in recent years. "We're grateful that we've had so many different teams participate at our track. Inviting them to be here the night of the Showdown gives them the chance to be a part of a really big event with a great crowd. It's a good chance to put their sponsors in front of thousands of people." Wilcox welcomes calls and rules-related questions from any race team wishing to participate. He can be reached through the track office at (519) 652-5068.
The format for the Summer Showdown on race night is as follows: Each driver whose car meets Delaware Speedway specifications will take two time trial laps. The field will then be split into smaller groups so that each driver participates in an 8-lap qualifying ("heat") race. The total number of 8-lap qualifying races will be determined by the number of competitors in field. Cars and drivers will be placed into a qualifying/heat race based on their time trial time.
Competition in the qualifying races should be fierce as drivers will fight for a starting spot in the 26-car field for the feature event, a 50-lap race including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers, Busch, Reutimann and Smith. Drivers that do not qualify for the 26-car field may have the chance to run a 25- lap consolation race (to be determined based on the total number of cars).
The final 50-lap feature event will be run as a "green flag only" race, meaning that laps run under caution will not count against the total of 50, ensuring that fans get to see 50 complete laps of racing. The top ten drivers in Delaware Speedway points will be assured a spot in the feature race field, provided they've had 100% attendance in the previous races of the year. Kyle Busch, David Reutimann and Regan Smith are also guaranteed a spot, though they must qualify to determine their starting position in the 50-lap final race.
General Admission tickets for the Delaware Speedway Summer Showdown are on sale now (reserved seats are sold out). Fans may visit the track's display at the Western Fair Auto Expo this Friday, Saturday and Sunday to purchase tickets or buy online at www.delawarespeedway.com
Joe Czernai, General Manager, Delaware Speedway 519.851.5006 [email protected]
Lisa Brandt, Publicity 226.448.7227 [email protected]
Summer Showdown:Click here