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UARA
STARS News
GREENVILLE PICKENS SPEEDWAY RELEASES 2006 RACE SCHEDULE
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Media Contact: Keith Cochran, marketing director
(864)269-0852,
keithcochran@bellsouth.net
GREENVILLE, SC (January 27, 2006)- Variety is the keyword at
Greenville Pickens Speedway in 2006, as Upstate race fans have more
selection and diversity on the 2006 race card than ever before. The
fun begins as the historic half mile roars back to life for an
unprecedented 61st season of racing in Upstate South Carolina on
Saturday, March 18. The speedway management and staff have worked
overtime this year to deliver to fans a broad selection of racing
styles, some never before showcased at GPS.
Hot Spot Stores opening night 2006, presented by your racin' station
WESC and Fox Carolina gets the fun rolling on opening night. "We're
never really concerned about the temperature on opening night," said
GPS marketing director Keith Cochran. "We've had some mild and some
fairly cool openers over the years, but no matter, that's the first
chance for the Upstate racing community to reconvene at the historic
half mile. The famous Dale Earnhardt Memorial backstretch will be
packed with tailgaters and those famous GPS bonfires will usher in a
brand new season of racing. There's really nothing like opening
night at GPS," said Cochran.
All local divisions will be featured on opening night: Renegades,
Charger, Sportsman and Late Model. Miss South Carolina, Erika
Powell, a recent top 10 finalists in the Miss America Pageant, will
serve as Grand Marshall. A huge opening night fireworks show
courtesy of area Hot Spot Stores will light up the skies at the
conclusion of the races.
The featured Late Model division will get a real test at the second
event of the season, with Twin 50 lap features scheduled for
Saturday, March 25. An added Twin 50 for the Late Models is
scheduled for later in the season, on Saturday July 15.
The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour will make a first ever
appearance at the speedway on Saturday, April 8th for a 150 lap
feature event. The open wheel racers promise plenty of excitement
with a large field of competitors squaring off on the flat GPS oval,
a course that's sure to showcase the exciting fender to fender and
wheel to wheel action that the series has become known for. "This
will really be something special for GPS race fans," said marketing
director Keith Cochran. "Look for sparks to fly and a large field of
competitors for this special event."
The NASCAR AUTOZONE Southeast Series returns to GPS for 2 shows in
2006, continuing a long tradition for Upstate race fans. GPS is the
unofficial home to the series, as the historic half mile has hosted
more of these events than any other track in the nation. First stop
comes on Saturday, April 29 for a 150 lap feature. The final show
falls on Saturday, August 12.
Drivers in all GPS divisions will have their first shot at those
valuable 'Double Points' on Friday, May 5. Many points chases in
previous seasons has turned on the events of these 'Double Points'
nights, so strap in and hold on...anything is possible on Double
Points nights. Drivers will have one more opportunity for double
points, that being on Saturday, July 29.
The five year old United Auto Racing Association, Southern Touring
Asphalt Racing Series (UARA - STARS) will make a first ever
appearance at the speedway in 2006. "We have wanted to come to
Greenville Pickens for some time," said Series director Kerry
Bodenhamer, "and we're very excited to finally be coming to such a
historic place as Greenville Pickens." The UARA -STARS will debut at
GPS on Saturday, May 13.
The 2006 premier event on the schedule will be on Saturday, June 10,
as the newly named BUSCH EAST SERIES visits Upstate South Carolina.
Under a new identity, the NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East
Series (formerly known as the Busch North Series) kicks off its 2006
season June 10 at the historic half mile. "We are very honored to be
a part of this NASCAR Grand National Division," said speedway owner
Kevin Whitaker. According to a 2006 schedule preview, additional
dates at Holland (N.Y.) International Speedway, New Hampshire
International Speedway in Loudon, N.H., Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl,
Adirondack International Speedway in Beaver Falls, N.Y., Dover
(Del.) International Speedway and Thompson (Conn.) International
Speedway and South Boston Speedway fill the calendar. A special
event honoring the first live broadcast of a NASCAR race to the
nation (April, 1971) from Greenville Pickens Speedway will be a part
of this live national broadcast event.
The fastest times of the season by any racing vehicle will come on
Thursday, June 30th, as the United Sprit Car Series returns to GPS
with the Outlaw Sprint cars. The winged sprints will be on center
stage, but the Charger and Renegade ALL STAR events will get plenty
of attention as the best of the best in these divisions will be
determined in an ALL STAR non points event.
Those crazy bullet shaped, open wheel racers..the THUNDEROADSTERS...will
return to GPS on Saturday, July 22 as part of a regular card of
racing. The Indy style racers look like they just rolled out of an
episode of Cannonball Run, with the driver wearing a racing scarf
and goggles.
The top Pit Crews at GPS get a chance to strut their stuff on
Saturday, August 5 in the Berea's Choice Express Lube & Automotive
PIT CREW CHALLENGE. Top Late Model teams will once again compete for
the title of top pit crew in a timed tire change event. It's a fan
favorite as the spotlight goes to the pit crews on August 5.
Six time retired track champion Donnie Bishop will be honored at the
Saturday, August 19 event. Bishop holds more track titles than any
other driver to ever cut the corners of the historic half mile, and
fans will honor that unbelievable accomplishment on August 19.
Who's the fastest clergy in the Upstate? The annual FASTER PASTOR
event has become a favorite over the years, with church leaders from
all over the Upstate settling that question with a one lap golf cart
race around GPS. Don't miss this fun event on Friday, August 25.
Championships in all Greenville Pickens Speedway divisions will
decided in the season ending Pete Blackwell Memorial Shrine Race,
presented by Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet. Dates and times of the annual
SHRINE RACE will be announced at a later date.
That's an overview of the big nights on the race card at Greenville
Pickens Speedway for 2006. There's something for everyone on this
year's race card with more special events than ever before
scheduled. But don't discount just one of the 'regular' nights of
racing featuring our local heroes in the Renegade, Charger,
Sportsman, or Late Model divisions. Some of the best and most
memorable moments of previous seasons has come on these regular
nights of racing.
Whether you're brand new to the speedway, or a track old-timer, we
look forward to seeing you again in 2006 at the historic half mile.
Come out early and stake a claim on the famous Dale Earnhardt
Memorial Backstretch, bring the entire family to enjoy a one of a
kind backstretch race day tailgate party. Or, get the best seat in
the house in the GPS grandstand. Either way, we hope you have a
great time at the races in 2006!
2006 SCHEDULE
GREENVILLE PICKENS SPEEDWAY
(Dates subject to change)
ALL DATES ON SATURDAY UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
MARCH 4 & 11: Preseason practice
(free backstretch/grandstand admission)
MARCH 18 HOT SPOT STORES Opening Night 2006
presented by WESC, Fox Carolina
MARCH 25 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, LATE MODEL TWIN 50s
APRIL 1 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series
APRIL 8 NASCAR Whelen Modifieds
APRIL 15 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series
APRIL 22 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series
APRIL 29 NASCAR AUTOZONE SOUTHEAST SERIES
FRIDAY, MAY 5 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series
NASCAR Souvenir Night, DOUBLE POINTS NIGHT
MAY 13 UARA - STARS
MAY 20 OFF
MAY 27 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series
JUNE 3 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series
JUNE 10 BUSCH EAST SERIES
'honoring first live broadcast of a NASCAR race to the nation from
GPS'
JUNE 17 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series
JUNE 24 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series
THURS. JUNE 30 USCS Outlaw Thunder SPRINT CARS, Charger & Renegade
ALL STAR EVENT
JULY 8 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series
JULY 15 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, LATE MODEL TWIN 50s
JULY 22 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, THUNDEROADSTERS
JULY 29 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, DOUBLE POINTS NIGHT
AUGUST 5 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, Berea's Choice Express Lube &
Automotive PIT CREW CHALLENGE
AUGUST 12 NASCAR Autozone SOUTHEAST SERIES
AUGUST 19 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, Donnie Bishop Night
FRIDAY, AUG 25 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, FASTER PASTOR NIGHT
Thursday August 31 thru Sunday September 10: 43rd ANNUAL UPPER SOUTH
CAROLINA STATE FAIR
*Upper SC State Fair ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIPS: September 1
*Upper SC State Fair DEMOLITION DERBY CHAMPIONSHIPS: September 2
SEASON FINALE SHRINE RACE: Pete Blackwell Memorial SHRINE RACE
presented by Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet: DATE TO BE DETERMINED
Shoot for the moon, even if you
miss, you will land among the STARS |
