TANEY FAMILY ADDS DASHES TO CANANDAIGUA CARD

2003 DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame award winner Mary Taney returns to Canandaigua Speedway with her family on August 2 to present a pair of special dashes in the headline open-wheel divisions.

Named in honor of Denis Taney and Mary's husband Fred Taney, the annual Taney Memorial was rained out at the Ontario County Fairgrounds on May 24.

Honeoye Auto Parts and Dig Safely New York sponsor the Gert & Ernie Farney Memorial 'Salute to the Legends' tribute this Saturday at Canandaigua. The 7 p.m. show features a four-division program of DIRT Modified, Sportsman, Pro Stock and Street Stock competition plus the Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club.

Forty-two year-old Denis Taney was the first fatality on a DIRT-sanctioned track in 1980. Veteran track official Fred Taney, then 59, lost his life on August 23, 1997 after he was struck on the backstretch during a street stock event.

Most recently, Mary Taney accepted the second Gater Racing Photo News 'Outstanding Woman In Racing' Award during the 12th annual DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies held May 25th on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds.

In honor of both Denis and Fred, Mary has posted $500 cash to be divided among eight drivers qualifying for dashes in the DIRT Modified and Sportsman divisions. The winner of each 4-lap dash will pocket $100, runner-up earns $75, third-place collects $50 and fourth wins $25.

Heat race winners and the top point-getter in each division will earn a starting position in the two-mile sprint.

Ontario County Fairgrounds' gates open at 5 p.m. and the first qualifying heat begins at 7 p.m. The Canandaigua Speedway is located just east of the city on Townline Road.