| Thursday, August 29, 2002 | |
| Big Labor Day Weekend At Charlotte | PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - Charlotte County Speedway is celebrating Labor Day weekend with two nights of racing. Besides a super Saturday night racing program featuring three 50-lap features in three different divisions, track promoter/owner LeRoy Davidson has added on a special Sunday night racing program featuring a 200-lap Labor Day Enduro.
Davidson added on the Sunday night show since Monday is a national holiday.
Short-track race fans have plenty to get excited about regarding Saturday night's program.
There is the Lil Vic's Sportsman 50 paying $1,000 to the winner. The sportsman is perhaps the most popular division at the Punta Gorda 3/8-mile paved oval. The cars are fast and the races hotly contested. Arcadia's James Dubose is the current points leader with Punta Gorda's Jerry Bryant and Naples' Scott Kleiber tied for second.
Another 50-lapper is the women's enduro. This is a special event that is not a part of the regular CCS schedule. It acts as a prelude to Sunday night's big 200-lap enduro. It will pay $1,000 to the winner.
The third 50-lapper involves a touring series - the SARA Open Wheel Modifieds. A good car count is expected with some of the top open wheel modified drivers descending on Punta Gorda. Dwayne Dempsey of St. Petersburg is the current points leader.
In addition, there will be four other divisions racing.
The limited late models will be back with a make-up of their Aug. 17 rain out. Pure stocks will run a makeup from that date plus a regular feature. That makes two races for that division. Also racing regular features will be road warriors and thunder trucks.
Admission to Saturday night's program is $15 for adults, $13 for senior citizens and $5 for childen ages 6-11. Front gates will open at 4 p.m. Racing will begin at 7 p.m.
Sunday night's program will feature enduro racing - featuring stock bomber-type cars - circling in a no holds barred frenzy for 200 laps. There are no yellow flags. A red flag will be thrown only if a life-threatening situation occurs or if wrecked cars block the track. The drivers will be going full-tilt for good reason. First place pays $2,000. Second through 10th also pays handsomely. Each position will pay $1,000.
Fan admission to Sunday night's enduro is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for kids 6-11.
The enduro will begin at 7 p.m. The gates open at 4 p.m.
Charlotte County Speedway is located off Exit 161 of I-75 on Piper Road in east Punta Gorda. For more information, call 575-RACE (7223).
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