TENTATIVE 2002 CANANDAIGUA SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE RELEASED
CANANDAIGUA, NY.....With the addition of a brand new event in 2002, a total of 23 race dates have been penciled in for the upcoming season at Canandaigua Speedway.
Racing at the popular Ontario County Fairgrounds facility begins Saturday, April 20, and with the exception of September 7, continues every Saturday through Sept. 14. The weekly program includes DIRT big-block Modified, DIRT Sportsman, DIRT Pro Stock and entry-level Street Stock racing.
A number of special events highlight the Saturday night cards with two open-wheel shoot-outs filling up mid-week slots.
The first special during the work week is a Super DIRT Series doubleheader slated for Wed., August 7. Run in conjunction with the Winston Cup weekend at nearby Watkins Glen, the DIRT Modifieds will stage a 100-lap feature in the Advance Auto Parts Series and the DIRT sportsman will compete in a 30-lap Super DIRT Series championship event.
Wednesday, Aug. 21 marks the first-ever 358-Modified Super DIRT Series event to be staged at the historic Canandaigua oval. A talented mix of big-block stars and small-block veterans are expected to fill the fairgrounds' pits in what promises to be another landmark event at the 'Land of Legends' speedplant.
The first Saturday night special on April 20 coincides with the 39th season-opener, featuring a 50-lap main event for the big-block DIRT Modifieds. A Syracuse 'Firecracker' Sportsman qualifier will be staged May 4 with the winner earning a guaranteed starting berth in the July 3 holiday race at the NYS Fairgrounds.
The Empire Super Sprints make their first of two trips to Canandaigua on May 11, with a return engagement set for July 6 during the extended Independence Day Weekend celebration.
On Saturday, May 25 the Modifieds will race for 50 laps in the annual Taney Memorial and on June 23 the popular Central New York Mini Sprints return to Ontario County for the second straight season.
The 12th annual 'Salute to the Legends' takes place on August 3, with this special night serving as a homecoming event for many of the drivers that once raced at the Speedway from it's beginning in 1953. In keeping with the nostalgic spirit of that night the vintage stock cars from the Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club will also compete.
On Labor Day weekend all divisions race extra distances for the track championships as the mighty Modifieds compete in their third 50-lap feature, Sportsman and Pro Stock cars in 25-lappers and Street Stocks in a 15-lap finale.
The track shuts down on Sept. 7 but re-opens the following Saturday for the big 2002 season-ending event. A Super DIRT Series twin-bill for Modifieds and Pro Stocks headlines the agenda with top big-block point chasers contending for a starting spot in the Advance Auto Parts 'Finger Lakes 100' and full-fender warriors pursuing a position in their own 25-lap main event.
Check out canandaiguaspeedway.com for a complete listing of 2002 race dates as well as results, driver rosters and point standings once the season gets underway.
Canandaigua Speedway is located at the Ontario County Fairgrounds on Town Line Road two miles north of routes 5&20 on the east side of the city of Canandaigua. The track is easily accessed from the New York State Thruway exit 43 from the east or exit 44 from the west. For information contact Jeff Farney by phone (315/568-8179) or e-mail ().