Budweiser Blastoff Weekend Starts Speedbowl Season – 14 Divisions Bring in 2012 New England Race Season
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl, one of the nation’s oldest and most historic racing venues, opens its gates for the 62nd consecutive season-opener with the annual Budweiser Blastoff Weekend March 30 through April 1. The three-day racing spectacle offers race fans plenty of variety with 14 divisions slated to chase the first checkered
flags of the season.
Highlighting the attractions at Blastoff is the season opening event for the Valenti Modified Racing Series, which will compete in a 100-lap main event. Modified racing has been synonymous with the shoreline oval every year since its opening in April of 1951. The NEMA Midgets begin their 60th anniversary season at Blastoff. Like the Modifieds, NEMA and its legacy in the northeast has been firmly rooted with the Speedbowl, regarded by many as the “perfect” Midget track. The ‘Bowl’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions also start their championship chase at Blastoff including the SK Modifieds®, which will compete in a special 62-lap event in honor of the track’s 62nd season, the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and SK Light Modifieds.
Other touring divisions beginning their season with Blastoff include the NEMA Lites, New England Truck Series and New England Four Cylinder Pro Stocks. Additional Speedbowl divisions including the Legends Cars, Bandoleros, Super X Car and X Car divisions round out the weekend’s racing card chasing points in their Saturday Showdown Series.
Budweiser Blastoff Weekend practice is slated for Friday, March 30. Pit gates open at 10:00am for inspection with practice getting started at noon. The Valenti Modified Racing Series has an open practice session from 5:00pm through 6:00pm on Friday. Pit admission is $25.00, while grandstands are closed for Friday’s practice session.
On Saturday, March 31 pit gates open at 7:30am with practice for all 14 divisions commencing at 9:00am. The Valenti Modified Racing Series practice will be from 1:15pm – 2:00pm. Qualifying gets started at 3:00pm, including the popular Valenti Modified Racing Series heat races. Feature races for the NEMA Lites, SK Light Modifieds, New England Trucks, New England Four Cylinder Pro Stocks, Legends Cars, Bandolero’s, Super X Cars and X Cars are scheduled to begin at 5:00pm.
Sunday begins with a Pit Party on the track starting at 9:30am. Features get underway at noon including a 25-lapper for the NEMA Midgets, special 62-lap SK Modified® race, a 50-lap Late Model race and 30-lappers for the Street Stocks and Mini Stocks. The Valenti Modifieds will race 100 green flag laps as the highlight of Budweiser Blastoff Weekend.
Two day passes for grandstands admission are available for $35.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth age 6 through 14, with all kids age 5 and under free. Pit admission is $40.00 for licensed racing members, and $50.00 for non-licensed members. The Speedbowl offers acres of free parking, including overnight parking. Pricing is inclusive of Connecticut Admissions Tax. More information on Budweiser Blastoff Weekend, including detailed schedule of events, can be found online at www.Speedbowl.com.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR