Plymouth Speedway - 2012 Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Money drop added event at Plymouth Speedway Friday

PLYMOUTH, IN - Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - Need some extra cash? Don’t miss your chance to put a few bucks in your pocket - no matter what age you are.

Oliver Ford in Plymouth has made it possible for the Plymouth Speedway to shoot out 2,000 $1 bills between three age groups this Friday night during intermission of the night’s races. The age groups are: 10 years old and under; 11 to 17 years; and 18 and older. This will give all race fans an opportunity to grab some cash!

Scheduled for the night are the Outlaw Late Model, Late Model, Street Stocks and Hornets. Last week’s winners (in that category order) were: “Flyin’” Brian Ross; Scott Ross; DJ Frost and Sal Bustamante. Also added to this week’s schedule are one-on-one street drags. Racing begins at 8 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m. Pit passes are $25 and grandstands are $12 for adults; children 10 and under are free. Don’t forget to print the $1 off coupon here on the Plymouth Speedway website.

Another great weekend of racing is coming up with a double next weekend. Friday will bring the Outlaw Late Model, Late Model, Street Stocks and Hornets, with just two weeks remaining for regular season action after this race. Normal prices and times apply.

Photo by Maggie Nixon

Saturday night is the Nitro Crash-O-Rama, brought to Plymouth Speedway by Gertrude Street Metal Recycling. The last crash fest brought in a full crowd, so don’t be left out of the fun next weekend! There will be school bus races, trailer races, a cops and robbers event, a road rage event, a motorcycle jump by Daredevil “Wild Ronnie” - through a wall of fire - and RV jumping by Stuntman “Scarecrow.” Pit passes for the Crash-O-Rama are $30; regular adult tickets are $12. There is a $25 registration fee for buses and trailers; however there is free registration if received before July 26.

Friday, August 3 - $20 carload night with Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets;

Saturday, August 4 - MTS non-wing Sprints, UMP Modifieds, 600 non-wing Mini Sprints and Hornets;

Friday, August 10 - Season Championship (final pavement show of 2012) including USAC Midgets, Outlaw Late Models, Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets, as well as bicycle races for kids at intermission.

Saturday, August 18 - Tony Stewart appears in the Sprints On Dirt winged Sprints with 100 winged Mini-Sprints and Hornets;

Saturday, September 1 - Blueberry Fest Earl Gaerte Classic Sprint Race with 410 winged Sprints, 100 non-winged Mini-Sprints and Hornets;

Saturday, September 29 - Gertrude-sponsored Nitro Crash-O-Rama;

Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7 - Nitrocross with Travis Pastrana including a freestyle show, amateur motocross racing and more.

Media Contact: M. Nixon, MNixonspeedwaypr@gmail.com; 1-(574) 952-9920

For immediate release - Monday, May 7, 2012

Speedway Announces Title Sponsor of June Event

The Plymouth Speedway and the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP are excited to announce the signing of a title sponsor for this historic event, set for Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Plymouth Speedway.

Engine Pro of Grand Rapids, Mich. has signed on as title sponsor and is bringing in three great presenting sponsors to assist with this tremendous event. The Hastings Manufacturing Company along with MAHLE/Clevite and Melling Engine Parts have signed on to support this can’t miss race.

Eric Saunders, Plymouth Speedway promoter, said the official title for this race will be titled: Engine Pro Battle at the Bullring presented by Hastings Manufacturing, Mahle/Clevite & Melling Engine Parts. “It’s great to have these sponsors come on board,” Saunders said.

The winged sprint cars of the Sprints On Dirt (SOD) series will be making its debut on the racy 1/5 mile clay oval at Plymouth Speedway. A field of drivers from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Ontario are expected to compete in this ASCS sanctioned event.

To add to the excitement of an already tremendous event is has been recently announced that three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart will race the SODs at Plymouth Speedway and he is bringing his potent 360 powered sprint car to do battle with the stars of the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt series.

“We at Plymouth Speedway are excited to bring this competitive class of drivers to our Bullring on June 16,” Saunders said, “along with my good friend, Tony.”

This will mark the debut for Stewart with the SOD series and the drivers of the group are looking forward to going wheel-to-wheel with the owner of Eldora Speedway.

“I can’t wait to get to Plymouth and run the Bullring,” Stewart said. “After hearing about how racy the place was after its first show, it should be awesome. Also it will be great to run with the ASCS SOD group for the first time.”

Speedway owner Ed Kennedy said, “I really look forward to having the ASCS SOD group here. And Engine Pro being onboard is great. They understand short track racing, and having them presenting the Battle at the Bullring is an honor.”

The Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP series sanctions winged sprint car races at speedways throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and the Canadian province of Ontario and will enjoy its 33rd season of operation. The 2012 schedule can be viewed at www.sprintsondirt.com.

In its 21st year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing, the American Sprint Car Series brings the best of Sprint Car racing to approximately 100 different tracks throughout 30 states and Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

Season opener Friday at Plymouth Speedway

Speedway named ‘Track of the Week’

PLYMOUTH, Ind. — Tuesday, April 24, 2012 — The opening night of Plymouth Speedway is just days away, as Friday night will see local racing excitement at this week’s RaceTalkRadio.com’s “Track of the Week.”

“Each week, the Track Source Radio show on RaceTalkRadio.com picks its ‘Track of the Week’ and this week we chose Plymouth Speedway,” said Dennis Michelsen of RaceTalkRadio.com. “Plymouth was honored due to its rich history of bringing race fans in Northern Indiana great racing over the years. Hosting the opener for the JEGS CRA All Stars Tour opener and honoring Eric Saunders (with last week’s race named the “Eric Saunders ‘I Can, I Will’ 100) were two other reasons.” Friday, the Outlaw Late Model, Late Model, Street Stock and Hornets start at 8:00pm. Tickets for adults are $12.00; children under 10 are free with an adult. Pit passes are available for $25.00. The Speedway is once again offering a discount, and by logging on the track’s website, spectators can print a $1.00 off coupon good for any Friday night race.

Check it out here: www.plymouthspeedway.net/friday_night_coupon_offer.htm

"Like” the track’s Facebook page: Search Plymouth Speedway.

Champion Racing Association

JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Ready to Begin Second Season this Sunday at Plymouth Speedway

Contact: Glenn Luckett (812) 883-0455

Salem, IN (April 18, 2012) – The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts is set to begin its second season in this weekend’s Eric Saunders I Can, I Will 100 Presented by JEGS.com at Plymouth Speedway, located in Plymouth, Indiana. Saunders is the Promoter at Plymouth Speedway for owner Ed Kennedy. Saunders, a former Motocross racer with Tony Stewart Racing, was injured in a practice crash in 2010 resulting in his being paralyzed. Saunders continues to be involved with Motorsports through his promotions at Plymouth Speedway.

To date 33 teams have already entered the Eric Saunders I Can, I Will 100 Presented by JEGS.com, more are expected between now and race day. Topping the list of entries is inaugural series Champion Erik Jones, who will race in selected series events in 2012, while also competing in selected ARCA/CRA Super Series and ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards events, as well as the second through sixth place finishers in 2011 points including Mid-west late model veteran and two time series winner Eddie Hoffman, Chad Finley, Brent Downey, Josh Nelms and 2011Howe Lettow Rookie of the Year Presented by Howe Racing Award winner Cody Coughlin. Also entered is 2011 ninth place finisher in points Wes Griffith Jr. and tenth place Tom Woodin. Any of those seven could be in the running for the 2012 Series Championship.

Other top part-time series competitors from the 2011 season also entered include Tommy Cook, Chris Koslek, Jordan Dahlke, Dan Leeck and Scott Tomasik. There are nine 2012 Howe Lettow Rookie of the Year Presented by Howe Racing candidates entered including Anderson Bowen all the way from Anderson, Georgia, Pennsylvania native Jordan Miller, Ohio native Brandon Oakley, Michigan natives Brandon Hermiller, Josh Hobson, Taylor Ferns and Indiana natives Cole Williams, Mark Livesay and Billy VanMeter.

Several talented late model drivers from around the country have also entered including 2011 Winchester 400 winner Boris Jurkovic, who also has a win in the ARCA/CRA Super Series at Plymouth. Another former ARCA/CRA Super Series winner at Rockford Speedway Jeremy Lepak, the “Million Dollar Man” Daniel Hemric from Kannapolis, North Carolina who will also be competing in a NASCAR Whelen Modified this season, Kentucky’s Jerrod Foley who has already started out the 2012 racing season in victory lane at Corbin Speedway and 2011 Template Body Racing Association (TBRA) Series Champion and feature winner Ali Kerns, who looks to be a series Championship contender in 2012.

Other entries include 13 year old Georgia native Spencer Davis, former ARCA/CRA Super Series competitor Colin Nickolai, Illinois veterans John Nutley and Anthony Danta, Indiana’s Winston Wood and Wisconsin’s
Tanner Bohlen.

There will be an open practice on Saturday at Plymouth Speedway, gates open at 11am with practice going from 12 noon until 5pm. CRA Tech Officials will be on hand Saturday to take series cars through pre-practice tech, which is required prior to the series scheduled practice on Sunday. On Sunday pit gates will open at 8:30am with practice beginning at 11:30am. Qualifying will begin at 1:30pm, the race program will begin at 2:30pm and will include the Eric Saunders I Can, I Will 100 Presented by JEGS.com for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts. Also racing that afternoon will be the Plymouth Street Stocks and Hornet divisions.

Sunday’s race is the first on the 14 race 2012 schedule for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts and is the first of four events at new tracks for the traveling crate late model series sanctioned by Champion Racing Association, which also sanctions the ARCA/CRA Super Series, Top Speed Fabrication CRA Late Model Sportsman and CRA Street Stocks. More information on all the CRA Series is available at www.craracing.net.

"like" the track's Facebook page: Search Plymouth Speedway. Follow us on Twitter, Maggie@plymouthspeedway.

Plymouth Speedway Takes on New Look

Plymouth, IN (March 31, 2012) - Plymouth Speedway (Ind) recently completed its dirt track inside of its asphalt track. Believed to be the only one of its kind, the small bullring measures a tight 1/5 of a mile inside the 3/8's mile asphalt track. Owner Ed Kennedy, a former NASCAR Modified driver and ARCA veteran, and promoter Eric Saunders are looking forward to an action packed year of racing on both asphalt and dirt. Regular asphalt racing for Outlaw Late Models, Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets will be Friday nights with special dirt shows on Saturdays throughout the year. Included in the dirt racing will be Non-wing sprints, UMP Modifieds and USAC Midgets.NASCAR Cup Champion Tony Stewart will compete with the S.O.D. Sprints on June 16 and the USAC Midgets will compete on July 6 and 7 with an asphalt/dirt 2 day show dubbed "Plymouth Palooza". Also appearing late in the year will be Travis Pastrana with Nitrocross on October 6 and 7.

Racing will begin April 14 and 15 with the Cabin Fever for CRA Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, and Hornets. The following weekend will bring the CRA/JEGS Late Models to Plymouth. The first dirt race of the year will be May 5 with the non-wing sprints and UMP Modifieds.

click above image for a larger version

Sponsors continue to support Plymouth Speedway

Sponsors Back On Board

Plymouth, IN. – Thursday, March 01, 2012

The Plymouth Speedway announces more special rewards for drivers this season. Flagman and marketer for the Speedway, Michael Houser, has been hard at work securing special sponsorship from many local and regional businesses helping promote the speedway, in an effort to continually reward winning drivers.

Already on board, Klotz Synthetic, Landrum Springs, Top Speed Fabrication and Hinchman are now joined by Fast Shafts, Indy Race Parts, Schoenfeld Headers, Phantom Race Products/Steele Rubber Products, Advanced Racing Suspension and Widow Wax as contributors to the Plymouth Speedway.

“We’re also working on a really big announcement in the next week,” Houser said. Fast Shafts will be giving a drive shaft to the points champ in the Super Late Model and Hornet series, and Indy Race Parts will provide a $500 bonus during the USAC weekend Friday, July 6 and Saturday, July 7 for the driver who can pull off a win both nights, “one night on asphalt and the other night on dirt,” Houser said, “and USAC will match that.”

Schoenfeld Headers will provide a $300 gift certificate for the Super Late Model Rookie of Year; $200 for Late Model Sportsman Rookie of the Year; and $100 for the Street Stock Rookie of the Year.

“Phantom Race Products/Steele Rubber Products will award a $25 gift certificate for the fifth place finisher in top three classes every night on the asphalt,” Houser said, adding that “Advanced Racing Suspension is giving a $400gift certificate at the end of year for whoever finishes third in the final points in the Super Late Models.” Houser said Widow Wax is also back on board from last year, and will offer its products to each of the Super Late Model winners this year. Those who would like to help support the Plymouth Speedway can contact Michael Houser at 1-(260) 701-1143.

Action will be starting at Plymouth Speedway with the Cabin Fever 100 CRA Late Model Sportsman and CRA Street Stocks Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15. Regular racing begins at Plymouth Speedway Friday, April 27.

Like the track's Facebook page: Search Plymouth Speedway. Follow us on Twitter, Maggie@plymouthspeedway.

Media Contact: M. Nixon, MNixonspeedwaypr@gmail.com; 1-(574) 952-9920

March Motorsports Madness Season Ticket Discount; Special Guests Planned

Plymouth Speedway gearing up for big things in 2012

Plymouth, IN. – Thursday, March 01, 2012

Plymouth Speedway owner Ed Kennedy has announced March Motorsports Madness has hit the track. Friday Night general admission season passes are just $100.00, and allows fans to come to any Friday night regular or special show, saving more than 50 percent on admission for the season.

The passes are non-transferable and there are no refunds for rainouts. This offer is good in March only, 'til March 31st. To purchase a season pass, contact Lynn Bingaman at 1-(574) 291-6678.

Additional news from the Speedway announced by Track Promoter Eric Saunders includes some big names in racing with Tony Stewart, 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, and Travis Pastrana.

Stewart will compete in the (Sprints on Dirt) 360 Winged Sprint Car Race on the dirt track at Plymouth Speedway Saturday, June 16. Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 the day of the show. Children 6 to 12 are $5.00 in advance and $8.00 the day of the show. Buy tickets now at etix.com.

Travis Pastrana plans to bring Nitrocross to the Speedway Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th. Ticket information and details will be announced soon.

Other events on the schedule coming up in just a month are the Cabin Fever 100 Saturday, April 14th (test and tune) and racing Sunday, April 15th. Gates open at 11:00am Saturday with practice from noon to 5:00pm. Pits close at 6:00pm. Grandstands are free admission, and pit passes are $25.00 (or a $5.00 savings of $50.00 for a two-day pass). Sunday, gates open at 10:00am. The CRA Sportsman Late Model, Street Stocks and Hornets practice will begin at 12:00pm. CRA Sportsman Late Model and Street Stocks qualifying starts at 1:30pm, with Street Stocks, CRA Late Model Sportsman and Hornets racing at 2:30pm. Pit pass for Sunday only is $30.00 and grandstands are $12.00. Tickets for children 6 to 12 are $5.00.

Racing continues with JEGS sponsored Late Models, Plymouth Street Stocks and Hornets Saturday, April 21st (test and tune) and Sunday, April 22nd. Gates open at 11:00am Saturday with practice from noon to 5:00pm. Pits close at 6:00pm. Grandstands are free admission, and pit passes are $25.00 (or a $5.00 savings of $50.00 for a two-day pass). Sunday, gates open at 8:30am, and the grandstands open at 11:30am. JEGS practice is from 11:30am 'til noon. Street Stock practice is from 12:00pm to 12:15pm; second JEGS practice from 12:15pm to 12:45pm, and the second Street Stock practice is from 12:45pm to 1:00pm. Hornet practice is 1:00pm to 1:15pm. Street Stock qualifying is at 1:30pm. JEGS qualifying is at 1:45pm and features begin at 2:30pm. The race order is Street Stocks, JEGS then the Hornets.

Opening night is April 27th at the track.

Like the Plymouth Speedway on Facebook today.

Media Contact: M. Nixon, MNixonspeedwaypr@gmail.com; 1-(574) 952-9920

March Madness season ticket discount; special guests planned

Plymouth Speedway gearing up for big things in 2012

Plymouth, IN. – Thursday, March 01, 2012

Plymouth Speedway owner Ed Kennedy has announced March Madness has hit the track. Friday Night general admission season passes are just $100.00, and allows fans to come to any Friday night regular or special show, saving more than 50 percent on admission for the season.

The passes are non-transferable and there are no refunds for rainouts. This offer is good in March only, 'til March 31st. To purchase a season pass, contact Lynn Bingaman at 1-(574) 291-6678.

Additional news from the Speedway announced by Track Promoter Eric Saunders includes some big names in racing with Tony Stewart, 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, and Travis Pastrana.

Travis Pastrana plans to bring Nitrocross to the Speedway Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th. Ticket information and details will be announced soon.

Opening night is April 27th at the track.

Like the Plymouth Speedway on Facebook today.

Media Contact: M. Nixon, MNixonspeedwaypr@gmail.com; 1-(574) 952-9920

For Immediate Release: January 31, 2012

PLYMOUTH, Ind. – Thursday, Jan. 31, 2012 — The Plymouth Speedway is proud to announce it is continuing to offer special rewards for its drivers for the 2012 season.

Flagman and marketer for the Speedway, Michael Houser, has been hard at work securing special sponsorship from many local and regional businesses helping promote the speedway, in an effort to continually reward winning – and hard luck – drivers.

“Klotz Synthetic Lubricants is coming on board this year,” Houser said. “They’re offering two $50 certificates for the asphalt shows throughout the year, so that’s $100 per asphalt show for all 19 weeks.”

Landrum Springs is also providing $50 certificates per week for the hard luck driver of the race, which Houser said will alternate between the Outlaw Late Model, Late Model Sportsman and Street Stock Series, and rotate continually through the year.

“They will also be the sponsor for the six-man shootout for the Street Stocks at the end of the year,” Houser said. “The week’s winner will get six points, five points goes for second place and on down to one point for sixth place. They’ll keep track on their dashes, and Landrum will provide a 6-foot trophy to the one with the most points on the last regular night of the year.”

Top Speed Fabrication of Angola is also offering $25 certificates in each of the top three divisions for the tenth-place finisher, Houser said, and at the end of the year, the company will provide a $100 certificate to the tenth-place driver in final points.

Finally, Hinchman Racewear from Indianapolis is offering $50 gift certificates weekly for each class for the entire year toward a new uniform. “Drivers can use them immediately or save them up, up to $300,” Houser said. “This is for each class, so everyone has a fair shake at getting a new uniform this year.”

Houser continues to work to provide bonuses for Plymouth Speedway drivers, and will announce partnerships with Phantom, Howe, Finish Line, and more, in coming weeks.

Facebook page: Search Plymouth Speedway. Follow us on Twitter, Maggie@plymouthspeedway.

Media Contact: M. Nixon, MNixonspeedwaypr@gmail.com; 1-(574) 952-9920

For Immediate Release

Top drivers awarded; Irvin says racing is about having fun

Plymouth Speedway hosts NASCAR great Ernie Irvan for Driver Awards Banquet

LAPAZ, Ind. – Sunday, January 08, 2012 — It was a night of celebration as Plymouth Speedway recognized its top drivers and heard from two in NASCAR’s top series.

NASCAR great Ernie Irvan sat quietly autographing hero cards as Andrew Hayn announced the top 10 of all racing divisions for Plymouth Speedway’s 2011 season. While Hayn called each name, Irvan put down his Sharpie and clapped along with the crowd before returning to his stack. Behind Irvan, Plymouth Speedway owner Ed Kennedy enjoyed the evening with promoter Eric Saunders and his friends and family.

Irvan, the guest speaker at the banquet Saturday night at the LaPaz Community Building, told the sold-out crowd, “You’ve got to realize, most race tracks are struggling trying to find ways they can make more money while giving the competitors less money. Right now, at the Plymouth Speedway, that’s the opposite.” Irvan said the Plymouth Speedway is trying to find ways to bring more people in to watch a good show, “and they’re getting it to where the race cars can put on a good show. Without the race fans, or the race track, you don’t have anything.”

Irvan, who said he has been involved in racing since he was 3 or 4 watching his father from a car seat, said the promoter (Eric Saunders) and the group helping the Plymouth Speedway should be commended for doing what they’ve done to the track, “better than anyone else has ever done here,” he said. “All the race fans have to realize, you have to have fun. No matter what, you have to make sure you don’t go in debt to race. You do everything you can to race and have a good time. There’s a great atmosphere her and it’s a track that’s just getting better and better.”

Regarding the changes being made to the track this year – the addition of dirt inside the oval – Irvan said: “It’s very rare to see a dirt track and an asphalt track in the same venue. Watching that is going to be a lot of fun this year,” adding that he is making plans to come back at least once this season to race at the local track.

Longtime friend of the Saunders family, NASCAR 2011 champ Tony Stewart also addressed the crowd – via video. Stewart said, “Congratulations to all the champions there at Plymouth Speedway this year. You did a great job.”Stewart, who will be running in the dirt on June 16, said he too is looking forward to racing in the bull ring at Plymouth Speedway. Driver awards were then presented following Irvan’s speech. Special recognition went to several people who help the Speedway in many ways, from towing to cleaning the track; from printing flyers and tickets to being track sponsors.

Driver awards included:

Late Model

1. John Marshall

2. Nick Pressler

3. Tom Hellinga

4. Cory Lindsey

5. John Barlow

6. Mitch DeWitt

7. Roger Northrop

8. Floyd Wood

9. Ron Maynard

10. Bill Lovely

Outlaw Late Model

1. Steve Stacy

2. Bobby Stremme

3. Rich Boal

4. Mike Shewchuk

5. Adam Terry

6. Brian Ross

7. Grant Galloway

8. Brian Muick

9. Zeke Lewis

10. Cory Pressler

Street Stock

1. Kevin Gunkel

2. Jeff Stetler

3. D.J. Frost

4. PeeWee Warren

5. Chris Highbaugh

6. David Long

7. Jim Gilbert

8. Shawn Amor

9. Robert Reed

10. Wade Berger

Front Wheel Drive

1. Tom Hellinga

2. Daniel Collins

3. Bill Miller

4. Tom Taylor

5. Chase Miller

6. Fred Miller

7. Ryan Birk

8. Ryan Hoffman

9. Eric Frazier

10. Spencer Wortinger

click image for a larger version

Top 4: From left: Steve Stacy, John Marshall, Kevin Gunkel and Tom Hellinga sport their hardware and extra gifts: Hoosier Tire jackets, at the Plymouth Speedway driver awards banquet Saturday at the LaPaz Community Building. Stacy won the Outlaw Late Model; Marshall won the Late Model; Gunkel won the Street Stock and Hellinga won the Front Wheel Drive division.

Photos by Maggie Nixon, Plymouth Speedway PR

Ernie Irvan: Retired NASCAR driver Ernie Irvan addresses a sold-out crowd for the Plymouth Speedway driver awards banquet Saturday night.

Ernie Irvan signs cars: Retired NASCAR driver Ernie Irvan autographs a die-cast car while Garrett Saunders holds another for signing. Andrew Hayn is in back, announcing driver awards for the Plymouth Speedway.

Visit Plymouth Speedway on Facebook and "like" the track's page: Search Plymouth Speedway. Follow us on twitter: Maggie@plyspeedway

Media Contact: M. Nixon, MNixonspeedwaypr@gmail.com; (574) 952-9920

For Immediate Release: December 14, 2011

Ernie Irvan guest speaker for Plymouth Speedway awards banquet

Tickets available now at www.plymouthspeedway.net

LAPAZ, Ind. – Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 — Don’t miss the opportunity to meet NASCAR great Ernie Irvan, guest of honor at the Plymouth Speedway awards banquet Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012.

The banquet will be held at the LaPaz Community Building, behind the fire station on the east side of U.S. 31. Doors open at 5 p.m.; dinner is at 6 p.m. and the awards program starts at 7 p.m., with entertainment by the local band GreenFire to follow.

Irvan, 52, a Daytona 500 winner, has also been voted one of NASCAR’s top 50 drivers. In 1994, Irvan was involved in a horrible crash that nearly ended his career. That year, Irvan led more laps than any other driver, even though he only competed in 20 races. After a long recovery, Irvan came back at the end of the 1995 season, where he notched two top-10 showings. In 1996, Irvan was back in the winner’s circle both at Richmond and New Hampshire. His career spanned from 1987 to 1999, and Irvan recorded 15 total NASCAR Cup wins. He finished fifth in points in 1991, his career best.

Irvan suffered critical brain and lung injures in that 1994 crash during practice at Michigan International Speedway, when witnesses said Irvan’s tire deflated and sent him into the wall at Turn 2, at more than 170 miles per hour. Irvan was flown from the scene and given only a 10 percent chance of making it through the night. Within two months, Irvan’s determination to recover was witnessed as he appeared at the NASCAR awards banquet where he was presented with the True Value Hard Charger award. He was also awarded for most poles in that same season.

Irvan returned to the NASCAR circuit full time in 1995, earning pole positions and dominating as a lap leader once again. In June, 1997, Irvan took the checkered flag for an emotional win at Michigan International Speedway.

When the August Michigan race came around, on the fifth anniversary of his near life-ending accident, Irvan was practicing for the Busch Series race when he crashed and was again airlifted from the track. He suffered a bruised lung and was diagnosed with a mild brain injury. Two weeks later, Irvan reluctantly announced his retirement from the sport he dearly loved.

Deadline for ordering tickets for the banquet is Dec. 28, and are $25 per person. Tickets will be held at Will Call under the ticket-orderer's name. Send check or money order to: Plymouth Speedway, 64851 Millet Road, Lakeville, IN 46536; Attention: Lynn Bingaman. Tickets may also be ordered at www.plymouthspeedway.net. Drivers must be present to receive their awards and the event is open to the public. Irvan will be holding an autograph session after awards are presented.

Facebook page: Search Plymouth Speedway.

Media Contacts: M. Nixon, MNixonspeedwaypr@gmail.com; 574-952-9920

For Immediate Release: December 8, 2011

Advance ticket sales for Tony Stewart SOD race Friday, Dec. 9

Plymouth Speedway hosts 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champ June 16; plans more dirt track racing

PLYMOUTH, Ind. – Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 — Looking for that special gift for the Tony Stewart fan in your life? Consider a ticket to see the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion racing at Plymouth Speedway. Just in time to stuff the Christmas stockings, advance tickets are on sale Friday, Dec. 9. Visit ETIX.com to make your purchase.

Stewart will take part in the Sprints on Dirt (SOD) race Saturday, June 16, 2012 at speedway, located at 11631 12th Road, Plymouth. Advance tickets are $20 per adult and $5 for children 6-12. The day of the show, adult tickets are $25 and $8 for children 6-12. Yes, that’s right – Sprints on Dirt!

The Plymouth Speedway is planning a 1/5-mile dirt track this season, which will include 60-foot-wide turns with 5-foot banks and straights at 50-foot with 2-foot banking. The dirt track was designed by Chili Bowl Midget promoter and ASCS Sprint president Emmit Hahn and long-time Macon Speedway promoter Bob Sargent, who say that the bullring dirt track with the small size will make for some awesome racing. With the small track, horsepower will come into play. Small tracks bend race cars; big tracks break race cars. If Mother Nature is good to the area, the first dirt track race is set for May 5 with the Non-Wing Sprints and Modified. Stewart’s SOD race June 16 – “Battle in the Bullring” – is the second scheduled dirt event and then a two-day Plymouth-Palooza USAC Midget race July 6-7 will see Friday night asphalt racing and Saturday night dirt track racing. This year’s dirt track theme: “Come to a party where a race will break out!”

Stewart, who put on a valiant performance to clinch the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Homestead, Fla. in November, passed 118 cars in that race and bounced back from as far as 40th in the field. He relentlessly chased after points leader Carl Edwards, who finished second in both the Homestead race and the season standings after a tie-breaker was decided by wins. Homestead was Stewart's fifth win of the final 10 races of the 2011 season.

The 40-year-old Columbus, Ind. native has won 12 championships since 1978, when he then drove go-karts. He is a three-time Sprint Cup champion; a four-time USAC champion where he won the "Triple Crown" (Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown series) in 1995; a 1997 IRL IndyCar Series champion; and several kart championships among other honors. Stewart credits his father, Nelson, who he says, "never let me settle for second… he pushed me to do better."

Stewart, a driver/owner for Stewart-Haas Racing in the Sprint Cup series, also owns TSR (Tony Stewart Racing) fielding teams for the World of Outlaws and USAC where he has won 15 owner championships. He also is owner of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio as well as having a hand as part-owner at other tracks and other teams, including a motocross team for Eric Saunders, of Lakeville. Saunders, now Plymouth Speedway track promoter, raced for TSR for 13 years before a crash that shortened his career on Aug. 29, 2010.

Facebook page: Search Plymouth Speedway.

Media Contacts: M. Nixon, MNixonspeedwaypr@gmail.com; 574-952-9920.

ponsorEdge - Get The EDGE On Sponsorship

NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart hoists the winner's trophy in Victory Lane at Chicagoland Speedway Sept. 18, 2011, where he won his first of five Chaseraces to claim the 2011 title.

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2011 - Dick Jordan

2012 “Plymouth Palooza” - USAC’S 1st Dirt / Pavement “Doubleheader”

The Inaugural “Plymouth Palooza” at Plymouth Speedway has been scheduled for Friday July 6, 2012 and Saturday July 7, 2012 and will mark a “first” for USAC racing in the club’s 57 year-history.

Never before has a single facility hosted dirt and pavement events for the same USAC racing series on the same weekend! A brand-new dirt oval is being constructed inside the existing 3/8-mile paved oval and the July 6 races will be conducted on the paved oval, with the July 7 races being held on the dirt oval. The Mopar USAC National Midgets and the USAC Midwest Ford Focus Midgets share the billing in this unique event.

“USAC has a long and storied history but this will be a first for us,” says USAC President/CEO Kevin Miller. “The idea of a single facility hosting both dirt and pavement events for the same series presents a challenge for our participants while giving our race fans a truly unique racing experience. We are always looking for innovations in our motorsports programs and this could be an idea which could expand.”

Plymouth Speedway Owner Ed Kennedy is ecstatic about the upcoming event: “I really enjoy the USAC events at Plymouth and we’ve had some incredible racing in recent years. This program should offer race fans something they’ve never seen before and a weekend they will long remember.”

Kyle Hamilton scored a Mopar D1/STARS Midget victory, James Robertson won a 100-lap Ford Focus Feature and Sam McGhee won a USAC Focus Young Guns race at Plymouth this season.

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Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted at the front gate, the pit gate and to purchase tires and fuel.