David Smith, Jr.
NCRA Public Relations
(405) 740-4769
[email protected]
NCRA Drivers Motored Up for $6000 to win Sprint Opener!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Park City, Kansas – March 25, 2015 – We are just a few days away from the biggest paying purse in the tour’s 26 year history as the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Precise Racing Products sprint car division kicks off the 2015 race season in a huge way as Pepsi Presents the 5th annual “Air Capital Shootout” this Saturday night, March 28. And once again, 81 Speedway in Park City will play host to the season opener and will be the first of five events scheduled at track owner C Ray Hall’s facility.
In preparation for Saturday night’s huge event that will pay $6000 to win and $500 to start the night’s championship feature, the track will hold a special practice session on Friday night from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. In a huge announcement just made, after practice sessions are complete, drivers have a chance to pick up added money as the track will host the “BP Products of Kansas Quick Time” will take place that will see the driver who sets the quickest time during time trials pick up an extra $500. Drivers who set the second through fifth fastest during time trials will also earn extra money, to be determined as money is being raised hourly. This time trial competition has NO BARING on Saturday night’s event, only a fun – yet competitive way for five drivers to earn extra money. Pit gates will open at 5:00 PM with pit passes just $10. There will be free admission to all fans in the grandstands and concession stands will be open.
Friday night’s practice session and Saturday nights NCRA sprint season opener will also see the Wingless Oklahoma Warriors bring their brand of non-wing sprint racing to the three-eighths mile clay oval. Last year the WOW series opened their season at 81 Speedway where Norman, Oklahoma’s Koby Barksdale took home the victory over a nine car field. Latest word from the series is at least fifteen drivers will make the tow for their opener. Barksdale would go on to claim a total of seven feature victories on his way to the 2014 WOW inaugural championship.
Two drivers who are hoping their power plants are up to the thirteen race schedule are last year’s co-champions C.J. Johnson and Jeremy Campbell. Both drivers struggled with mechanical gremlins and that turned out to be the difference between their tie for the championship and an outright title. Campbell is a two-time series champion while Johnson has five series championships to his resume.
Veteran Jon Freeman of Salina, Kansas finished a strong third in the standings last year and looks to add a couple of feature victories this season. After picking up the ride in the Whitehead Motorsports #8w near mid-season, J.D. Johnson will be back full-time and look to better his fourth place 2014 standings finish.
Jeff Stasa finished fifth in last year’s final point standings and claimed his first career series feature win at the new Longdale Speedway in Longdale, Oklahoma.
2014 rookie of the year Jake Greider is also looking for bigger things during his sophomore season.
What was slated as $5000 to win rose $1000 last year thanks to Mel Hambelton Ford adding the extra money to Saturday night’s championship feature finale. This has some of the top drivers from across the region setting sights on 81 Speedway. They include defending race champion Kevin Swindell and inaugural “Air Capital Shootout” champion Danny Lasoski, Sammy Swindell, Jack Dover, Jon Agan, Aaron Reitzell, Kris Miller, Jordan Weaver, Danny Lasoski, Wayne Johnson, Don Droud, Jr., Tony Bruce, Jr. and more. Over forty drivers are expected.
Former winners of the “Air Capital Shootout include Danny Lasoski (2011); Jason Johnson (2012, 2013) and Kevin Swindell (2014).
Advanced tickets are on sale now at the speedway and are $15 for adults ages 11 and up; $5 for children 6-10. You can purchase you tickets by calling the 81 Speedway office (316) 755-1781.
Gates for this huge March 28th event at 81 Speedway open at 5:00 PM with racing slated for a 7:00 PM start time. 81 Speedway is located north of Wichita on I-135 to exit 16, then .7 mile west on 77th street.
The National Championship Racing Association would like to thank the following for their partnership for the upcoming 2015 race season: Park City, Kansas, Precise Racing Products, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels and Mel Hambelton Ford.
