Another Year Of Speed51.com Coverage Begins At Speedfest

51’s Matt Kentfield To Lead Coverage Of First Big Race Of 2007

CONCORD , NC (January 23, 2007) – In many parts of the country, the first real blast of winter weather is just about wearing out.  Snow that has waited all winter to fall is finally melting and the cold weather is once again moving away, leading to warmer temperatures.  Unlike normal, though, the warm weather is causing a fever.  It’s not the kind usual with the common cold, though; it’s racing fever.  And Speed51.com is ready to deliver the best remedy possible – its industry-known and lauded event coverage.

Speed51.com will kick off another season of extensive short track racing coverage this coming weekend in Lakeland , Florida , for Super Late Model’s big early-season showdown, Speedfest at USA International Speedway, an event co-sanctioned by the CRA Super Series and FASCAR Sunbelt Series.

“Speedfest, in a short amount of time, has become an event that everyone looks forward to and has really become one of the biggest races of the year, even though it is most racers’ first event of the new season,” said Speed51.com’s Jeremy Troiano.  “In January, there are not a lot of places racing in the country.  But there is always Florida .  So what better place to bring everyone together that has been sitting around since the Mason-Dixon Meltdown, the Snowball Derby or even earlier and get them back out on the track.  Over the last couple of years, it has proven to be quite the show.

“In the last couple of years, there were flips, fires, first-time winners and more.  That is exactly the kind of stuff that racers and fans love, and Speed51.com has always been there to bring it to them.  This year, it will be no different.  Speed51.com will be at Lakeland for both days and all three races.”

Speed51.com’s coverage this year will be led by up-and-coming Motorsports journalist Matt Kentfield, many of whom know simply as “Duke.”  Kentfield will have the scoop from Friday night’s Twin 100-lap events for the North and South competitors.

“I’ve been to Speedfest only once, and it was a lot of fun and an amazing race,” said Kentfield.  “I’m really looking forward to going back there.  Over the last couple of years, they’ve had guys like Mike Fritts, Charlie Menard, Mario Gosselin and Eddie Van Meter win races during the weekend.  That is a pretty stout list of drivers.  Then, when you look at the entry list and see the Rowes from the Northeast, Menard and Hoffman from the Midwest, Fultz and Lawler from the South up against all of those Florida guys, you know you’re in for a great race.  Hopefully, we can bring that excitement to the fans on Speed51.com as well.”

Speed51.com has become a leader in online Motorsports information by focusing on the Short Track Racing realm.  51 realized nearly six years ago that there was a void in the industry for news and behind-the-scenes stories.  Now, 51 is viewed by thousands of fans per day.  The site fuels your Short Track appetite for NASCAR's Grand National and Modifieds Divisions, the USAR Pro Cup Series, Super Late Models, Pro Late Models, Late Model Stocks, Pro Challenge and much more.

51 Sports, publisher of Speed51.com, is continually signing up clients for its Sports Services and Web Design work for 2007 and beyond.  51 offers everything from single-time press releases to full campaigns, website development and more. 

For all the latest throughout Speedfest, be sure to check out Speed51.com.  For more information on Speed51.com, contact Jeremy Troiano at 51 Sports by calling (704) 455-2051.

RACECAR Engineering To Sponsor Awards At Speedfest 2007

Lakeland, FL (January 19, 2007) – RACECAR Engineering will sponsor two awards at the upcoming Speedfest 2007 Presented By Goodyear at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida on January 25-27. The Lakeland, Florida based auto-racing parts company will sponsor the RACECAR Engineering Fast Qualifier Award for the North 100 Lap Qualifier and the South 100 Lap Qualifier races, which will be held on Friday night, January 26^th. Each events fast qualifier will receive a $100 Product Certificate from RACECAR Engineering.

In addition RACECAR Engineering will sponsor the RACECAR Engineering Hard Luck Award, also a $100 Product Certificate from RACECAR Engineering, which will be awarded to the first driver in line that does not make the starting field for the Speedfest 200 Presented By Goodyear finale on Saturday night, January 27^th.

RACECAR Engineering has the people, products, expertise and experience to be your single-source supplier for all you’re racing needs at Speedfest 2007, and with your local series or at your local track. Visit them on the web at www.racecareng.com with 17,000 parts covering all forms of racing or call them at 800-882-7231.

To date 44 entries have been filed for Speedfest 2007 Presented By Goodyear. For rules, entry form, purse, and format questions, downloads are available at: www.craracing.net, www.fascar.org, or www.usaspeedway.com.  Interested teams can also call Glenn Luckett at 812-883-0455.

Advanced Entry Deadline Extended For SpeedFest 2007 in Lakeland, FL

Lakeland-FL (January 11, 2007) – Officials from the Midwest-based Champion Racing Association (CRA) Super Series, the Southern-based FASCAR/Sunbelt Super Late Model Series and USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida have extended the deadline for teams to pre-enter the Super Late Model SpeedFest 2007 Presented By Goodyear in an effort to get as many teams as possible pre-entered for the event.  Pre-entries now must be post marked by Tuesday, January 16^th in order to be pre-entered and pay the advanced entry fee of $150 and to be eligible for bonuses offered for the event. Entries received after that date will have to pay the late entry fee of $200 and will not be eligible for bonuses.

Super Late Model teams and fans will gather at USA International Speedway January 25-27, 2007 for the third installment of the “North vs. South” battle at the renowned Florida facility.  To date there are 36 teams pre-entered so far for the event including last seasons SpeedFest 200 lap finale winner Florida’s Mike Fritts representing the South. Other notable Northern entries so far include 2005 event winner Charlie Menard, 2006 CRA Super Series Champion Scott Hantz, Mike and Ben Rowe from Maine, Eddie Hoffman, the top finishing North driver in last years 200 lapper, former ASA Racing Series Champion and NASCAR Veteran Butch Miller, 2004 CRA Super Series Champion Chuck Barnes Jr., NASCAR Elite Series Multi-time Champion Jeff Fultz, Brian Campbell, Patrick Laperle, Hooters Pro Cup driver Shelby Howard and last years North 100 lap winner Eddie Van Meter. Florida veteran racer Wayne Anderson leads the list of South drivers entered so far, other notable Southern drivers entered include Jeff Choquette, Jason Boyd, Tim Russell, Justin Drawdy, Travis Cope, Matt Merrell, Donnie Wilson, Clay Jones and Russell Fleeman.

For rules, entry form, purse, and format questions, downloads are available at: www.craracing.net, www.fascar.org, or www.usaspeedway.com.  Interested teams can contact USA International Speedway to enter the event by calling 800-984-7223.

The First Entries For Speedfest 2007 at USA International Speedway

Have Been Filed

2005 Speedfest Champion Charlie Menard First To Enter

Lakeland, FL – The first entries for Speedfest 2007 Presented By Goodyear at USA International Speedway on January 25^th through January 27^th have been filed. Speedfest 2005 Champion Charlie Menard was the first to file an entry for the 2007 event. The Eau Claire, Wisconsin native looks to return to his winning ways at Speedfest 2007. Menard was victories in the 200 lap finally in the first ever Speedfest defeating fellow Northern drivers Eddie Hoffman in second, Pat Kelly in third and Mike Rowe in fourth. Jay Middleton was the highest finishing Southern driver in fifth place.   More...

Super Late Model “SpeedFest” Returns to USA International Speedway in January 2007

Lakeland, FL (October 4, 2006) - Officials from the Midwest-based Champion Racing Association (CRA) Super Series, the Southern-based FASCAR/Sunbelt Super Series and USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Florida have combined to announce the dates for “SpeedFest 2007” at the beautiful central Florida facility.  Super Late Model teams and fans will gather for the third annual event, January 25-27, 2007.

In January of 2006 57 teams took part in the 2^nd annual “SpeedFest” that brought the countries top teams together.  The North and South had their own 100-lap qualifying features on Friday, which transferred teams to Saturday’s 200-lap main event.  “Super Mario” Gosselin won the South qualifier, while Eddie Van Meter won the North qualifier, taking his first ever super late model victory of any kind. The following night, 41 cars took the green flag for the SpeedFest 200, and when the dust settled it, was one of Florida’s toughest competitors, Mike Fritts, standing in victory lane and $10,000 richer.  More...