FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Park City, Kansas – March 28, 2011 - The 41st consecutive season for the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley’s Racing Products kicks off in a big way this coming Saturday night, April 2nd at the home track of the series, 81 Speedway. The series modified division will be just one of the three divisions that will kick off their 14th consecutive season and questions abound on several fronts.
Will defending series champion Brian Powers of Wichita come out of semi-retirement and defend his championship?
The past four years have seen four different champions, will there be fifth different driver to claim the championship or will one of those four take the top honors after the nine scheduled races have been complete?
Two rookie drivers finished in the top five in the final 2010 point standings. Was it a look at a very bright future for the division or will one or both of these drivers experience that dreaded “sophomore jinx?”
As we go to press, Powers, who after thirteen years of trying, captured his first career series championship by a slim 40 points over 2008 titlist Marc Hurd and promptly announced his retirement. However, while it is said he may not defend his championship, he does plan on competing in several races throughout the season. Question remains, can the driver with the most starts of any other modified driver in NCRA history sit out, even just one race and not get the itch to want to defend? Rest assured he will more than likely be on hand this Saturday night.
Powers, Dan Daniels, Hurd and former five-time series champion Brian Franz have all claimed the previous four championships. With Daniel’s and Hurd’s plans to compete full time with the series uncertain and Powers not looking to defend (as of now), chances are good there could be a fifth different series champion in as many years.
Tyler Davis shocked all as he impressed many of the series veterans in route to a third place finish and rookie of the year honors. With the experience obtained in chasing series points and now knowing what it takes to win championships, Davis will be a serious threat in the chase.
Another rookie with an outstanding first year was Dan Powers. Dan, son of series champion Brian, scored two top ten finishes in the six events that were held and also gained valuable experience to set up what is hopes to be a championship sophomore season.
Brent Burkhart finished fourth in the series point standings for 2010 and all indications are the former Hutchinson Grand Nationals modified champion will be back to compete for that elusive series championship.
Ross Shipman will be back in hopes of improving on his sixth place finish in the season point standings and obtain that first career series victory.
Casey McClaskey of Ponca City, the only Oklahoma driver the past several years making the trip to Kansas to compete for the series championship, looks to have the mechanical gremlins behind him and improve his seventh place finish in points last season.
The father/son duo of Shawn Langhover Jr. and Sr. will both be competing full time with the series full time. Langhover, Sr. has been racing for 32 years and 2011 will be the first committed to the series.
Franz, the career all-time series modified feature winner and career feature winner at 81 Speedway will also be competing. Franz won two of the three events held at the track last year.
Other drivers expected to compete include Ryan McAninch, Jim Johnson, Marlin Farr, Tad Davis, Brad Johnston and Jason Schniepp. In all, over thirty drivers are expected to compete for the first of nine races for the 2011 race season and the first of four at the three-eighths mile facility.
Pit passes are just $25 and pit gates open at 3:00 PM with cars rolling through tech inspection at that time. Grandstand gates open at 5:00 PM with racing set for 7:00 PM. General admission tickets are just $9 for adults with children ages 6-10 just $5.
There will be an open practice session on Friday night with pit passes just $5 and grandstand entrance admitted for free.
The series’ sprint car and southern sport modified divisions will open their season as well and promises to be an action and fun filled night at the speedway!
81 Speedway is located north of Wichita on I-135 to exit 16, then .7 mile west on 77th St. in Park City. For more race and ticket information contact the 81 Speedway office (316) 755-1781.
For more information on the 41st anniversary season for the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley’s Racing Products, find them at their new online address www.racencra.com.
The series would like to take this time to thank their modified partners and sponsors for the 2011 race season:
Park City, Kansas, Smiley’s Racing Products, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels
Will defending series champion Brian Powers of Wichita come out of semi-retirement and defend his championship?
The past four years have seen four different champions, will there be fifth different driver to claim the championship or will one of those four take the top honors after the nine scheduled races have been complete?
Two rookie drivers finished in the top five in the final 2010 point standings. Was it a look at a very bright future for the division or will one or both of these drivers experience that dreaded “sophomore jinx?”
As we go to press, Powers, who after thirteen years of trying, captured his first career series championship by a slim 40 points over 2008 titlist Marc Hurd and promptly announced his retirement. However, while it is said he may not defend his championship, he does plan on competing in several races throughout the season. Question remains, can the driver with the most starts of any other modified driver in NCRA history sit out, even just one race and not get the itch to want to defend? Rest assured he will more than likely be on hand this Saturday night.
Powers, Dan Daniels, Hurd and former five-time series champion Brian Franz have all claimed the previous four championships. With Daniel’s and Hurd’s plans to compete full time with the series uncertain and Powers not looking to defend (as of now), chances are good there could be a fifth different series champion in as many years.
Tyler Davis shocked all as he impressed many of the series veterans in route to a third place finish and rookie of the year honors. With the experience obtained in chasing series points and now knowing what it takes to win championships, Davis will be a serious threat in the chase.
Another rookie with an outstanding first year was Dan Powers. Dan, son of series champion Brian, scored two top ten finishes in the six events that were held and also gained valuable experience to set up what is hopes to be a championship sophomore season.
Brent Burkhart finished fourth in the series point standings for 2010 and all indications are the former Hutchinson Grand Nationals modified champion will be back to compete for that elusive series championship.
Ross Shipman will be back in hopes of improving on his sixth place finish in the season point standings and obtain that first career series victory.
Casey McClaskey of Ponca City, the only Oklahoma driver the past several years making the trip to Kansas to compete for the series championship, looks to have the mechanical gremlins behind him and improve his seventh place finish in points last season.
The father/son duo of Shawn Langhover Jr. and Sr. will both be competing full time with the series full time. Langhover, Sr. has been racing for 32 years and 2011 will be the first committed to the series.
Franz, the career all-time series modified feature winner and career feature winner at 81 Speedway will also be competing. Franz won two of the three events held at the track last year.
Other drivers expected to compete include Ryan McAninch, Jim Johnson, Marlin Farr, Tad Davis, Brad Johnston and Jason Schniepp. In all, over thirty drivers are expected to compete for the first of nine races for the 2011 race season and the first of four at the three-eighths mile facility.
Pit passes are just $25 and pit gates open at 3:00 PM with cars rolling through tech inspection at that time. Grandstand gates open at 5:00 PM with racing set for 7:00 PM. General admission tickets are just $9 for adults with children ages 6-10 just $5.
There will be an open practice session on Friday night with pit passes just $5 and grandstand entrance admitted for free.
The series’ sprint car and southern sport modified divisions will open their season as well and promises to be an action and fun filled night at the speedway!
81 Speedway is located north of Wichita on I-135 to exit 16, then .7 mile west on 77th St. in Park City. For more race and ticket information contact the 81 Speedway office (316) 755-1781.
For more information on the 41st anniversary season for the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley’s Racing Products, find them at their new online address www.racencra.com.
The series would like to take this time to thank their modified partners and sponsors for the 2011 race season:
Park City, Kansas, Smiley’s Racing Products, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels
