LANCASTER SETS FIRST DATES FOR 2017 SEASON
LANCASTER, N.Y. (October 4, 2016) - The 2016 season at Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway has been over for less than a week, but plans are already in place for the 2017 campaign.
The Western New York racing facility is coming off the second season of its rebuilding era with more facility upgrades undertaken, including the resurfacing of the 1/8-mile dragstrip, paving racing and pit surfaces and improved lighting. LNS&D continued to see renewed enthusiasm and support from competitors and fans, as well, to the point the track is already receiving inquiries about pit pads for 2017.
The Saturday night stock car program showed remarkable progress in 2016 with its most successful season in more than a decade. Car counts increased from the previous year, and ended with the memorable 28th edition of the U.S. Open, WNY's racing finale.
The 2017 season will open on Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. with a matinee stock car program. The action continues the following Saturday (April 29) with the first of four visits from the Race of Champions Modified Series.
The groundpounding mighty Modifieds will return for three additional prestigious events: the third annual Bill Colton Memorial Ol' Boy Cup 60 on Thursday, June 29, the 28th annual Tommy Druar/Tony Jankowiak Memorial 110 on August 19 and the 29th annual U.S. Open on the weekend of September 22-24.
The Franco's Pizza IHRA Drag Racing season will open on Friday, April 28 with test & tune and tech inspection. The first points race of the year will take place the following Friday on May 5.
The biggest addition to the LNS&D schedule is the return of the International Supermodified Association on Saturday, June 3. The fastest short track cars in America will make their first appearance at Lancaster since 2009 and it will be the first visit by the ISMA series since 2003.
ISMA held their first-ever race at Lancaster on July 3, 1974 with Ohio driver Todd Gibson winning that inaugural event. Some of the biggest names in Supermodified racing have won at Lancaster in the years that followed; including Jim Shampine, Bentley Warren, Mike McLaughlin, Doug Heveron, Joe Gosek, Dave McKnight, Russ Wood and Chris Perley.
The full 2017 schedules for the stock car and drag racing programs will be released in the coming months.
About Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway: Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway is a multi-use facility located on 77 acres just outside of metropolitan Buffalo, N.Y. The facility features a 1/8-mile drag strip, a 1/2-mile oval track and hosts several non-motorsports events such as car shows and concerts. For the latest information on Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway check out our website www.lancasternationalspeedway.com . Additional information for racers and fans can be found on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LancasterSpeedway) and on Twitter (@LancasterSpdwy).
