Barberville, FL — February 10, 2008 — By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
The 2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for the mighty Big-Block Modifieds kicks off the season down south with four non-point events as part of the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. Five straight days of trackside activity —including practice on Feb. 12— at the popular Sunshine State facility culminate Feb. 16 with a 50-lap finale offering a first-place prize of $5,000. In between, Feb. 13-15, each 30-lap DIRTcar Modified feature winner stands to collect $2,000.
On Wednesday, Feb. 13 and Friday, Feb. 15 race fans can participate in a pair of autograph sessions including a number of Advance Auto Parts Series Big-Block Modified drivers. The Troyer trio of defending Alltel DIRTcar Nationals points champion Danny Johnson, Jimmy Phelps and Jimmy Horton, along with Bicknell chassis chauffeurs Matt Sheppard and Jamie Mills will be available prior to their Wednesday opener while TEO Pro Car titans Brett Hearn, Alan Johnson, Dale Planck and David VanHorn will be seated alongside PMC pilot Andy Bachetti for the Friday pre-race festivities.
A 4:45-5:15 pm window has been reserved both afternoons outside the Fan Zone situated beyond turn one of the upper pit area. Throughout the entire DIRTcar Nationals there will be a show car prominently displayed with Alltel associates handing out premium items and valuable coupons as well as distributing important fan information.
Once the Big-Blocks take to the track for feature race competition on Wednesday, those qualified drivers will be vying to become the first-ever Alltel All-Star during the remaining four nights of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals. Then it will be up to the fans to support the Big-Block stars and decide which driver —from all those winners since Feb. 5— will win the $12,000 cash grand prize.
Fans can to go to AlltelAllStar.com and choose their favorite Alltel All-Star, or text #52191 plus his letter code (available at alltelallstar.com). Voting opened at 9 a.m. on Feb.6, and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 16. The winning driver will be named in a special ceremony shortly thereafter.
Volusia Speedway Park (386/985-4402) is located 15 miles west of Daytona Beach on State Road 40 in Barberville, Fla. Pit gates swing open daily at 2 p.m., Spectator gates are unlocked at 4 p.m., Practice begins at 6 p.m., and qualifying races follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13 grandstand general admission is $35.00 and Pit admission is $40.00; Feb. 14 grandstand GA-$39.00/pits $40.00; Feb. 15 grandstand GA-$39.00/pits $40.00; Feb. 16 grandstand GA-$39.00/pits $40.00. Reserved seat tickets for each night of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals can be purchased online by going to volusiaspeedwaypark.com. Reserved motorhome camping is available at Volusia for $300 per week and the daily rate is $20.
For additional information log into www.superdirtcarseries.com, where you can find complete race results for the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals.
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, based on store count and sales. As of October 6, 2007, the company operated 3,228 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.
37th DIRTcar Nationals Schedule & Rule Information
Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Florida Tour
Day-Date Event Feature Winner
Tue-Feb 12 Practice —
Wed-Feb 13 Qualifying Heats, Feature (30 Laps) $2,000
Thr-Feb 14 Qualifying Heats, Feature (30 Laps) $2,000
Fri-Feb 15 Qualifying Heats, Feature (30 Laps) $2,000
Sat-Feb 16 Qualifying Heats, Feature (50 Laps) $5,000
Rules:
– 2008 DIRTcar NorthEast Rulebook applies;
– DIRTcar Hoosier Tires mandatory, Soft, Hard, Extra Hard compounds may be used in any combination;
– Racing Gasoline only;
– Weight Minimum:
*DIRTcar legal big-block up to 467 c.i. (min. 2500 lbs.);
– AMB Transponders & RACEceivers required, NO Radios allowed;
– All heat race line-ups will be determined by draw, all features will start heads-up.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.
