Wall Township Speedway
gearing up for new season

WALL TOWNSHIP — First it was the Modified division, then the Pro Stocks and Street Stocks joined in.

Now the Legend Cars, TQ Midgets and Truck Series racers have also thrown their support behind the April 10 Fan Appreciation Day festivities at Wall Township Speedway.

That means that all six divisions will compete in main event action that afternoon while the fans are admitted free of charge.

"This event just keeps getting bigger and bigger," operations manager Sergio Benitez says. "I’ve talked to several drivers from all the divisions, and everyone wants to support the activities. They all say that they are doing it for the fans."

The Bandolero Cars will also be a big part of the action when Wall Township Speedway presents Fan Appreciation Day.

Once these racers make their first appearance of the year on April 10, they will return for practice sessions on May 21 and 28 before their Friday night racing season officially begins on June 4.

Current plans call for the Bandolero Cars to be joined on Friday evenings by the Go-kart racers and the Micro Stocks, just as they did last season. Once the action begins on June 4, Friday evening racing is planned for the remainder of the summer.

NASCAR stars returning to WTS

For years, NASCAR fans have debated about the talents of the sport’s legendary drivers compared to those of racing’s current stars. Fans will have the opportunity to settle that argument once and for all when at least 14 NASCAR stars, both retired and current, visit Wall Township Speedway on June 12 for "Racing’s Greatest Night of Champions."

The event, which will be taped for a "Pay Per View" special to be broadcast at a later date, will feature legendary and current NASCAR stars in interviews, autograph sessions and racing action on the third-mile high-banked paved oval.

Representing the current stars will be Kevin Harvick, Sterling Marlin, Bill Elliott, Kenny Schrader, Jimmy Spencer, Kerry Earnhardt and at least one other driver who will be announced soon.

The list of NASCAR legends who will participate is just as impressive, with Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Buddy Baker, Harry Gant, Ernie Irvan, Dave Marcis and Dick Trickle already announcing their involvement. Other legendary NASCAR drivers may also join the activities.

In addition to the on-track action for the legends and current NASCAR stars, Spencer says that he will return to his racing roots during the evening and drive a Modified stock car during the regularly scheduled racing program. Schrader, who is famous for his love of racing whatever is available, plans to compete in a Truck series racer during the evening.

The evening’s activities will take on a festive atmosphere as the band DramaRama, famous for its performances of 1980s music, will provide live entertainment during the evening.

"This will be the greatest event ever presented at the speedway," Operations Manager Sergio Benitez said.

"These drivers are the ones who helped make NASCAR racing what it is today, and the ones who keep it as great as it is today. It will be great to see them and great to see them race.

"Maybe we can answer that age-old question about which drivers have more talent: the racing legends or the current-day stars."

Fan Appreciation Day
set for April 10

Longtime fans of the "Shore Speedway," as well as first-time visitors will be treated royally on Saturday, April 10, as the gates to Wall Township Speedway will swing open for Fan Appreciation Day. The full day of activities, which will include on-track sessions along with grandstand and midway entertainment, will be free of charge to the public. The highlight of the day will be main event racing action for the Modified, Pro Stock, Street Stock, Truck Series, Legend Cars and TQ Midget racers on the third-mile paved oval.

Some of the activities planned for April 10 include the introduction of the speedway’s new mascot, Wally, who be will at the track on race nights to entertain fans, host children’s activities and help with occasional victory lane ceremonies. The staff of the speedway also plans to debut the track’s new playground on April 10, as well as offering free giveaways all day long. Several special driver autograph sessions will round out the day full of festive atmosphere.

All eyes are now turning to the 2004 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series at the famous third-mile paved oval. Practice sessions are set for Saturdays, March 27 and April 3, before the big Fan Appreciation Day celebration on April 10. The 2004 season will then officially open on April 17 with racing continuing through Turkey Derby weekend in November.

Notes... Auto racing enthusiasts seeking an opportunity to get the "behind the wheel driving experience" firsthand will be strapping into race cars starting Saturday, April 17, as the "Green Flag Driving Experience" opens for the 2004 season.

Presented by Neptune Research, RTS Performance and Wall Township Speedway, the "Green Flag Driving Experience" will continue at the famous Jersey Shore third-mile high-banked oval through October. Current plans call for sessions to be held every Saturday morning. Weekday sessions are also being scheduled.

Participants in the "Green Flag Driving Experience" drive real open-cockpit TQ Midget and Legend Cars race cars that are used in competition on a regular basis. Driving uniforms, helmets and other safety equipment are supplied. Several feature winning and championship winning drivers — like former TQ Midget champion Tim Adams, Modified and Midget racer Frank Polimeda, and Legend Cars standout Bryan Gardella — serve as instructors.

Several different programs, from 15 laps of action to a full day of instruction and driving, are offered. Custom corporate packages and group packages, both of which can also include a catered lunch, are also available.

Information on rates, reservations, dates and gift certificates are available by calling the Green Flag Driving Experience at (732) 458-7794 or by visiting www.tqmrl.com on the Internet; or e-mail JeffRacerG@aol.com.