BULLS GAP, Tenn. — After a long, cold and snowy winter around the East Tennessee region there is great anticipation to the arrival of the warmth of spring because race fans know the first green flag is almost ready to wave. NASCAR racing at nearby Bristol Motor Speedway isn’t the only round-track racing scheduled in the East Tennessee region the third weekend in March.
Volunteer Speedway looks forward to an exciting racing season in 2011, which will mark the 38th year of dirt racing at the track.
The season-opener at “The Gap” is scheduled Saturday, March 19 with the running of $10,000-to-win Spring Thaw for Super Late Models. Making it an all-late model racing program, the Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro (Crate) Late Models will also be in action. Many of the country’s top Super Late Model drivers will be present to battle it out for the $10,000 Spring Thaw winner’s prize. When drivers expected to be racing are confirmed, their names will be released.
Super Late Model heat races, last chance B-mains and the $10,000-to-win, 60-lap Spring Thaw main event highlight the Saturday, March 19 racing program, along with a 25-lap Pro (Crate) Late Model feature that pays $700-to-win.
Adult grandstand admission on Saturday, March 19 is $25, youth (ages 9-15) $10, with 8-and-under admitted free in the grandstands. Pit passes and backside tier-parking $35, regardless of age.
The pit gate will open at 2 p.m., with the grandstands opening at 4 p.m. Hotlaps will get started around 6 p.m., to be followed by qualifying and then racing action.
***NOTE: With a large crowd expected and all available seating space needed for the Spring Thaw event, no lawn chairs will be permitted in the grandstand. Only stadium seat-type cushions will be allowed. Also, no coolers or outside food allowed to be brought into the front straightaway (main) grandstand! Coolers are permitted in the pit area and the reserved backstretch tier-parking – however no glass containers allowed.
Directions to Volunteer Speedway: South on Interstate 81 from Tennessee/Virginia state lines, take Exit 23 (Bulls Gap/Greeneville), then turn right onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Look for track entrance approximately 200 yards on left.
North on Interstate 81 from I-81/I-40 split (East of Knoxville, TN), take Exit 23, then turn left onto Hwy. 11-E at bottom of the exit ramp. Continue underneath the interstate over-pass and track entrance approximately 300 yards ahead on left.
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Volunteer Speedway (Recording Only): (423) 235-5020 … www.VolunteerSpeedway.com
Track Office – Weekdays Only 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: (423) 378-5942
Phyllis Loven (Track Owner): (423) 676-9081
Robert Walden – Media/Public Relations Director: (423) 928-9644