Kawartha Speedway: July 17, 2009 - It's All About the Fans

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

Every race fan has a favourite driver – and every racecar driver has a group of fans they count on for support every time they take to the track.  Friday, July 17th the 2 elements will come together as Discount Car and Truck Rentals presents Fan Appreciation Night at Kawartha Speedway.  Midway through the night, drivers in all 3 of the track’s weekly divisions will bring their cars onto the front stretch of the spacious 3/8th mile oval and fans will be invited to the racing surface to collect autographs from their favourite drivers.  The track will have a limited number of the 2009 souvenir programs available for autograph seekers.

“It’s called Fan Appreciation Night, but the drivers look forward to it just as much as the fans do,” says Derek Lynch, Kawartha Speedway’s promoter and general manager.  “The turnout of fans is amazing.  It gets to the point where you can hardly move around out on the track.”

With the 2009 season nearing the halfway point, the point’s battles in all 3 classes are getting extremely tight.  In the Discount Car & Truck Rentals Mini Stocks, last season’s champion Jason Juriga occupies the top spot.  John Baker Jr., Kyle Donaldson and 2008 champion Willie Reyns are locked in a torrid battle for the Better Carpet Thunder Car title, while defending champion Dan McHattie continues to hold the hot hand in the NAPA Auto Parts Late Model chase.

In addition to the meet and greet with the drivers, the track will also host the Second Annual Discount Car & Truck Rentals race for charity, featuring selected participants in a 10 lap exhibition race in mini stocks supplied by the track’s driving experience. 

As always gates open Friday, July 17th at 3:00 with rotating on track practise sessions starting at 5:00.  For directions to the track and full details on the Kawartha Speedway schedule, including the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season finale - Saturday, September 26th, visit www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Photo attachments:  (Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications)

#1).  Jason Juriga has turned-in a dominating 2009 performance in Kawartha Speedway’s Discount Car & Truck Rentals Mini Stock division.

#2).  John Baker Jr. is locked in a tight 3 car race for top spot in the Better Carpet Thunder Car points.

#3).  After finishing 14th in the ACT Summer Sizzler, Dan McHattie heads back into action sitting atop the NAPA Auto Parts Late Model points.

#4).  Last year’s winner of the Discount Car & Truck Rentals race for charity, Collin Welsh will be back to defend his title.