DAKTRONICS SCOREBOARD TOPS LIST OF ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS AT CANANDAIGUA SPEEDWAY FOR 2003
The racing season is less than a month away at the speedway known as “The Land of Legends” but already numerous changes & improvements are underway to ensure that the fans will feel like the real champions from green to checkers throughout the 2003 racing campaign.
“We have some projects underway that will “wow” the fans when they enter the speedway,” General Manager Jeff Farney exclaimed when asked of the season. “With the exciting developments we have in store for 2003, we are doing the utmost to prove that Canandaigua Speedway entering into its 40th season in operation will not only have the best and biggest bang for the buck in terms of racing action & entertainment but also the fan friendly place to be each and every Saturday night!”
Farney, entering his 2nd full season at the helm of the historical Ontario County Fairgrounds was most thrilled about the news of the Victor Excavating sponsored Daktronics scoreboard that will occupy its new home in the infield adding to the fans’ involvement in the racing action.
“It’s a very welcome addition to our racing program here at “The Land of Legends” and offers the same convenience that some of the other speedways on the DIRT circuit now enjoy presenting the fans the top 5 positions & lap counter in an LED format,” Farney explained. “Victor Excavating really stepped up to the plate on this front because of their generosity in sponsorship and we can’t thank them enough. I know many of our fans have seen the Daktronics scoreboard in action so they will know why I am so excited over this particular addition. Thanks again to Victor Excavating!”
Fans will also notice many other renovations/additions to the racing facility including a large Sunoco Racing Fuels light-up sign located near the pit exit much like the one on the frontstretch at Syracuse during Super DIRT Week. Also adding to the improvements at the speedway include the painting of the entire grandstand area, refurbished pit restrooms, and a large handicap accessible restroom located behind the announcers tower.
“All of these changes will make the speedway more fan friendly and that’s exactly what we are striving to do. Last season we had several folks let us know that we were in dire need of facilities to accommodate our handicapped fans and in an effort to make those folks feel welcome here on Saturday nights, the handicap accessible restroom seems to be the perfect solution,” Farney said.
Keeping in line with the Fan Friendly Policy employed by the speedway, once again the always popular Fun Bus will make its return for the younger race fans as will The Canandaigua Kids Crew sponsored in 2003 by The Original Pizza Logs, the Niagara Falls based company owned by Bob Cordova who also sponsors the efforts of Modified campaigner Chad Brachmann and Pro Stock competitor Pete Stefanski. For a $5.00 membership fee, Kids Crew members will receive food coupons, an official membership card, and Crew T-shirt. Registration is open from 6:00-6:45 and will begin on the season opener, April 19th and conclude on May 10th at the official Kids Crew area, which is located next to the fried dough stand in the food court. Marilou Stange once again returns as Kids Crew Director after a very successful first season promoting the sport for the future competitors at the speedway.
The Canandaigua based JoshComp Corporation who will be sponsoring the efforts of Modified ace Darryl Ruggles, rookie Sportsman driver Taunya Lovejoy, and Pro Stock veteran Jipp Ortiz is also involved in sponsoring several other programs at the speedway including the Back to Back bonus for the Street Stock division in which $75.00 will be placed weekly into the Back to Back jackpot. The jackpot will progressively increase each week by $75.00, until an eligible street stock team earns it upon winning two consecutive street stock features. For a street stock team to become eligible for the program, they must display a JoshComp Racing contingency decal on their car. George Buksar, owner of JoshComp Corporation will also be supplying the speedway staff and management with uniforms for the 2003 campaign giving each member of the track team a professional and appealing appearance. Buksar’s husky Ferlin, the logo that has become synonymous with the software developing corporation, will also be prominently displayed on the water trucks that prepare the speedway.
“I’d just like to pass along so many special thanks to all of the people that have been behind the scenes volunteering their time, labor and a whole lot of elbow grease in getting everything prepared for the upcoming season,” Farney said. “I was out at the speedway last week and I walked the entire speedway racing surface and I can tell you that it is already looking fantastic. There is absolutely no standing water which leads me to believe that we are going to have a great start to the season which should continue through the entire season. We still have sponsorship & signage available so if there is anyone out there who would like to be part of a winning team in 2003, please feel free to contact me for the details.”
To kick off the 2003 campaign, a special Open House / Practice night for all divisions is scheduled for Tuesday April 15 with the regular racing at the Ontario County Fairgrounds facility slated to begin Saturday, April 19 featuring a special 50-lap grind for the DIRT Modifieds along with a regular card of racing for the Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and Street Stocks. Check out canandaiguaspeedway.com for a complete listing of 2003 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 ([email protected]).