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It's here at last. This Sunday at Centre for Speed, The curtain will raise on the 2008 season. It is being dubbed the "Spring Shakedown" as drivers will be able to practice and set up their cars, removing some of the winter gremlins, and then features will be run in the Minis, Streetstocks and Sportsman classes. The racing is sure to be exciting as the drivers work hard to remove a winter of rust from themselves as well as the cars.
The following week, the season gets into high gear with the first of eleven Carquest Pro Stock Tour races being run at Scotia Speedworld. The first one is great as all the cars are in pristine condition and the drivers all want to grab an early points lead. Toyota has joined the fray with a couple of competitors running the speedy Japanese machines.
Good news has surfaced on the local front as well with the aquisition of several Springhill sponsors for the 39 racing team of Sandy Livingston. While not enough to sustain him for the entire season, it will get the season underway on the right foot. Now if someone would come forward with a bit more, Cunberland County will have a fine representative on the Pro Stock circuit.
Sandy has gained a great deal of experience over the past few seasons, and hopes are high for a successful 2008 season. A lot of late nights are in store for them over the next week as they try to make up some of the lost time they endured due to their lack of sponsorship but the team is up to the challange
This weekend marks the 24th edition of the All Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. Qualifying for this race is not an easy feat. You must win a race in either the previous or current season, win a championship in the Cup series in the past 10 years and race at least once in the current or previous season, or be a past champion of the All-Star race. Additionally, two 20 lap heat are held with the first and second place finishers qualifying, and finally, one driver is voted in by the fans. Winning this one is very prestiious and carries a good payday as well. No points are awarded in this race which means that all the drivers can go all out for the win. Jimmy Johnson has won the past two years, leading to Lowe's Motor Speedway being called "Jimmy's House".
Congratulations are certainly in store for youthful Amherst driver Nathan Kelly, as he moves up in class to a faster machine and much stiffer competition. Having watched this kid in action over the past few years, the competition will quickly make him better and big things are certainly in store for him.
The rumour mill is also active at this time of year. One of them has Amherst native Corey Collins taking a few spins in a Pro Stock this summer along with competition in his Sportsman as well. Corey did well in his rookie Sportsman season, showing great improvement during the year. Experience is a great teacher they say, so go get 'em Corey.
This is the last of the pre season columns though as we plunge headlong into the new season. "Gentlemen, (and Ladies), start your engines !!!
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