TRUE VALUE/LIME ROCK CARD KICKS OFF CANANDAIGUA'S '04 SEASON

CANANDAIGUA, NY.....The long winter wait is finally over for race fans in Ontario County as Canandaigua Speedway opens for the 41st season on April 24.

True Value Hardware of Port Byron, N.Y. and Lime Rock Speedway in Caledonia, N.Y. headline the season-opening program of DIRT Modified, Sportsman, Pro Stock and Street Stock action on Saturday. Gates open at 2p.m. and racing begins at 4p.m.

The tradition continues at the 'Land of Legends' as a lead-off 50-lap feature for the headline big-block Modifieds begins the charter member track's annual celebration, with 2004 marking the 28th consecutive year of operation under the DIRT Motorsports banner.

Four-time defending Canandaigua modified champion Steve Paine will be returning aboard his familiar no. 7x TEO mount, carrying major sponsorship from Tallmadge Tire-Terrell's Potato Chips, Geneva Homes and Pabst.

In an attempt to continue his reign as modified points king at the popular half-mile 'Land of Legends' speedplant, Paine's biggest challenges will come from an all-star cast of big-block veterans including Super DIRT Series followers Danny Johnson, Gary Tomkins, Vic Coffey, Chuck Bower and Chad Brachmann along with the return of Ron Smoker and Gil Tegg,Jr.

Small-block competitors are expected to join the Modified mix every Saturday and the highlight will be Turning Stone Casino 358-Modified Super DIRT Series events staged in Canandaigua on Aug. 25 and Sept. 25.

Last summer the Sportsman title was decided on the final night with Paul Guererri (859) besting Eldon Payne,Jr. (854) by just five points despite Payne capturing the '03 finale. Guererri and Payne will again be frontrunners this year with a solid core of veteran open-wheel pilots ready to contest for the coveted points crown in wine country.

Second-generation chauffeur Jipp Ortiz will not only be returning to defend his Pro Stock title in 2004, the two-time Mr. DIRT champion will be looking to establish himself as Canandaigua's all-time Pro Stock feature winner. Ortiz grabbed 10 checkered flags last season to move within five victories of Tom Barron by a count of 27-22 in the speedway record book.

The Street Stock class rejoins the regular weekly card to complete a big four-star program every Saturday night during the season. Mike Welch combined four feature wins with consistent top-five finishes to easily capture the 2003 crown in wine country.

Canandaigua Speedway is located on County Road10 at the Ontario County Fairgrounds, just 1-1/2-miles north of Routes 5&20, and is easily accessible from the NYS Thruway (I-90), taking Exit 43 from the west or Exit 44 from the east. Additional information can be obtained by calling 716/394-0691 on raceday or during the week by dialing the track office at 315/568-8179 or DIRT Motorsports at 315/834-6606. Log into canandaiguaspeedway.com on the internet at any time.