Final preperations have been made for the season opening Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series and Northern Xtreme DirtCar Series February 2 - 7 sanctioned "28th Annual Winternationals" at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa (Gibsonton),FL. The week-long "meat grinder" of DirtCar racing at the semi-banked 1/3rd mile speedway offers a complete racing program of time trials, qualifying heats, "B" Mains, dashes and feature races each night of the "Winternationals". Over $210,000 in total purse money has been posted by 2VHL Promotions, the management team at EBRP, for the race teams who annually flock to the clay oval. Add in the additional series money's offered and the totals in purse money and bonus money push the $225,000 mark.

An "open practice session" has been scheduled for Sunday, February 1 to allow race teams to test the series mandated Goodyear tires. Several personnel and service technicians from the Goodyear Tire Company will be on hand for the practice session and throughout the week of the "28th Annual Winternationals". Pit gates for the practice session will open at 4:30pm with practice slated from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.

The schedule of events for all six days of the "Winternationals" will see Tech. inspection beginning at 11:00am and registration from 12:00 Noon to 2:00pm each day. The pit area will be cleared at 1:30pm each day with the pit gates re-opening at 2:00pm. Drivers meeting is set for 2:45pm with hot laps at 3:00pm followed immediately by time trials. Once time trials have been completed track preperation will take place, if needed. The racing program will begin with the heat races at 7:00pm followed by the "B" Mains, the heat race winners dash, the "Donn Goodson Memorial Strawberry Dashes" and then the feature event. The schedule may be adjusted throughout the week.

The Northern Xtreme DirtCar Series will open the "28th Annual Winternationals" Monday, Feb. 2 with a 40 lap feature event paying $5,000 to the winner from the more than $25,000 purse. The Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series takes center stage Tuesday, Feb. 3 with a $25,000 plus purse - 40 lap -$5,000 to win main event.

Wednesday, Feb. 4 features a 50 lap main event paying $7,000 to win from the $29,000 plus purse for the NXDCS. Another 50 lap main event paying $7,000 to win from a $31,000 purse is on tap for the Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series Thursday, Feb. 5.

The finale for the Northern Xtreme DirtCar Series happens Friday, Feb. 6 with $43,000 in purse money posted with $12,000 going to the winner of the 60 lap feature event. The final night of the "28th Annual Winternationals", Saturday, Feb. 7, will see the Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series battle it out before The Speed Channel cameras in a 75 lap feature event paying $15,000 to win from the more than $53,000 purse.

Several promotional venues for the legion of fans who descend upon East Bay Raceway Park will be happening through out the week:

Former NASCAR champion and multi-time fan voted "Most Popular NASCAR Driver" Bill Elliott, who will participate in a limited number of NASCAR Nextel Cup events in 2004, and Mark Martin, driver of the Viagara sponsered NASCAR Nextel Cup car, will sign autographs for the fans Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the Stacker 2 "YJ Stinger Splash Of Energy Tour" interactive fan display. Elliott will sign autographs starting at 3:00pm while Martin will greet the fans from 6:00pm to 7:45pm. Elliott will also be participating in several things while at East Bay Raceway Park including being the pilot for the "two-seater" DirtCar that will give media members, who attend Tuesday, an "up close and personal view" of the semi-banked 1/3rd mile speedway. Elliott will also be watching "The Tar Heel Tiger", Ray Cook, very closely. Elliott along with multi-time NASACAR champion crew chief Ray Evernham and Cook have formed a partnership which will see the MasterSbilt Race Car of Cook sporting the name, colors, style and powerplant of Dodge for the 2004 Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series campaign.

The Stacker 2 "YJ Stinger Splash Of Energy Tour" Interactive Fan display has been enjoyed by thousands of fans who have attended NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Nextel Cup events but it will be a first when the display descends upon East Bay Raceway Park marking the first time ever that fans of dirt track racing will get to enjoy the games and fun of the Stacker 2 "YJ Stinger Splash Of Energy Tour". The 48' interactive display will be on hand through out the week of the "Winternationals".

Three lucky fans will walk away with cold hard cash in hand, courtesy of the newly announced Stacker 2 "Paydirt 24" promotion. With the driving skill of a fans assigned feature event driver and a little luck, that fan could walk away with $1,000 cash in hand. Fans can simply fill out an entry form at the Stacker 2 "YJ Stinger Splash Of Energy Tour" Interactive Fan display the race nights of the Stacker 2 Xtreme DirtCar Series; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - Feb. 3, 5 & 7. Each night prior to the feature event 24 fan names from all entry forms will be randomly drawn. Those lucky 24 fans will be assigned one of the 24 feature event drivers. If one fans assigned driver wins the feature event then that one fan assigned to the feature winning driver will pocket $1,000, courtesy of Stacker 2. The other 23 fans will receive a Stacker 2 energy gift pack consisting of a four-pack of YJ Stinger Energy Drink, a Stacker 2 T-shirt and cap.

Fans will also have the opportunity to win "the ride of a lifetime" with an airborne excursion aboard the Goodyear Tire Company blimp. Any fan who has purchased an advanced ticket through January 15, 2004 for the "Winternationals" will be eligible for the Goodyear Tire Company "Ride The Blimp" promotion. One name from all advanced ticket purchasers will be drawn at random with that person receiving the prize, courtesy of the Goodyear Tire Company. Long known for it's storied coverage of major sporting events, the Goodyear blimp will be flying above East Bay Raceway Park during the "Winternationals".

Another promotion added for the fans by East Bay Raceway Park president Al Varnadore is the chance to take a ride in a full blown DirtCar around the semi-banked 1/3rd mile East Bay Raceway Park track. The Ground Hog Chassis Co.'s two-seater DirtCar will be at East Bay Raceway Park not only for Media Day (Monday, Feb. 2 at 2:00pm) but will be there throughout the "Winternationals" week. Fans will have a chance to purchase a ride with some rides complimentary.

The annual East Bay Raceway Park "Appreciation B-B-Q" presented by Sunoco Race Fuels will again take place Friday afternoon (Feb. 6) in the pit area.

Single night advanced reserved seat ticket prices range, depending on seat selection, from $25.00 to $35.00 for the February 2 - 5 races and range in price from $25.00 to $40.00 for the February 6 and 7 races.

Childrens tickets, general admission only, are 1/2 price. All credit card orders will be assessed a $5.00 handling charge. Pit admission tickets will be sold the day of the event only. Reserved camping at the track is also available for a nominal fee.

East Bay Raceway Park has also arranged for discounted lodging at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Tampa (800) 513-8940, Ramada Inn on Tampa Bay in Apollo Beach (800) 67-BEACH and Sleep Inn and Suites in Ellenton (941) 721-4933. For the "racers rate discount" mention East Bay Raceway Park.

To order advanced reserved single night tickets, reserved camping or for further information phone East Bay Raceway Park Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm at 813-677-7223, toll free at 877-457-5611 or visit the EBRP website located at www.eastbayracewaypark.com.

STACKER 2 XTREME DIRCTAR SERIES AND NORTHERN XTREME DIRTCAR SERIES EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK - TAMPA (GIBSONTON),FL FEB. 1, 2004 TO FEB. 7, 2004 "28TH ANNUAL WINTERNATIONALS" SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Sun. 2/1:

Pit Gates Open 4:30pm. Practice 6:00pm - 10:00pm

Mon. 2/2 through Sat. 2/7:

Tech. Inspection begins 11:00am Registration 12:00 Noon to 2:30pm Pits Cleared 1:30pm Pits Re-Opened 2:00pm Drivers Meeting 2:45pm Hot Laps 3:00pm Time Trials Immediately Follow Once T.T. are done track prep. will take place if needed. Heats 7:00pm (3) or (2) "B" Mains follow Heat Race Winners Dash follows "Donn Goodson Memorial Strawberry Dash" follows Feature Event follows

Mon. 2/2: 40 Lap Feature - $5,000 To Win - $24,200 Purse (NXDCS) Tues. 2/3: 40 Lap Feature - $5,000 To Win - $24,200 Purse (S2XDCS) Wed. 2/4: 50 Lap Feature - $7,000 To Win - $29,000 Purse (NXDCS) Thurs. 2/5: 50 Lap Feature - $7,000 To Win - $31,500 Purse (S2XDCS) Fri. 2/6: 60 Lap Feature - $12,000 To Win - $43,000 Purse (NXDCS) Sat. 2/7: 75 Lap Feature - $15,000 To Win - $53,100 Purse (S2XDCS)



Have an opinion on this story? Post a message on the Message Board! or send a letter to the editor!