Virginia Motor Speedway

Saluda, VA – Officials at Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway are anxiously awaiting August 9th, that is the day the 29th Annual Miss Utility USA 100™ presented by the US Army returns to the ½ mile speed plant in beautiful Jamaica, VA. This year the event will be co-sanctioned by the Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) and the Carolina Clash bringing together the top two touring series on the east coast.

Clarke Sawyer, General Manager indicated, “If you look at the past winners of this event, it is a who’s-who among dirt late model racing. By bringing together the top two regional touring series on the east coast we are confident that this will only elevate the competition level and provide fans with a stellar “A” Main filled with only the best vying for the USA 100 crown.”

“Last year the twin 25’s were excellent and the final 50 lap segment was amazing. We couldn’t be more pleased with hosting this event. This year we wanted to bring in a few more twists with the race being topless and having the Carolina Clash co-sanction the event with the MAC Series. I think with the opportunity for one driver to win $11,300 with this type of a format, as well as all the drivers that make the final “50? looking at a total, minimum earnings potential of $1,000 for the night; this should produce a lot of interest from both Series drivers as well as the local, regional cars, and even some of the nationals stars,” concluded Sawyer.

As to having the MACS Series and the Carolina Clash co-sanctioning this year’s event, “We couldn’t be more excited, the Geesey Brother’s MACS Series in our opinion is one of the finest organizations in the country as they bring their Series back to our facility for the tenth time. Now we add the Carolina Clash and their talented group of drivers to the mix and it only escalates the potential for a tremendous event for the fans. We are equally excited about the purse being offered, it is now one of the top paying one day shows in the country,” summarized Sawyer.

Jeff Geesey, Series PR Director stated, “The MACS Series is elated to continue its involvement at Bill Sawyer’s crown jewel of the south and the affiliation with Ernie Shelton’s USA10™. Every effort has been made over the last several years to restore the luster to this time honored event. With the addition of the Carolina Clash this should be a fans dream and a must see for 2008. The entire VMS family is a gracious host, not only to the drivers but the sanctioning bodies and fans as well.”

Clint Elkins, Series Director commented, “We are very thrilled and honored to be involved with the USA 100™. It is a race with a lot of tradition and to be competing at a world class venue like Virginia Motor Speedway, well I can assure you that everyone involved with the Carolina Clash, from officials to drivers, is excited to be a part of the USA 100.”
Shelton interjected about the 2008 version of the trademarked event, “Excitement, that’s all I can say! I didn’t think that the race could get any better, but last year’s race proved me wrong, what an event. Bill and his entire staff do an outstanding job; they have returned the excitement and prestige back to the USA 100 just as I felt they would do when we moved the event to VMS in 2006. I have every confidence that success will be repeated again this year. I feel VMS is one of the finest, state of the art facilities in the nation for showcasing this show. Bill Sawyer’s ownership of the venue, and his diligent staff including Clarke, is without any doubt second to none in the industry for surface preparation, facility and fan amenities. Last years show had three and four wide racing all night long thanks to VMS track preparation guru David Law. That is a delight for the fans as well as the drivers.”
The 29th annual edition of the USA 100™ will go “Topless”. The event was previously announced as an entirely “Topless Show”; however, because of the inherent cost of taking off a roof and the loss of supplies as well as the additional materials to reattach it, the Series and promotional staff including General Manager, Clarke Sawyer have announced an option for teams wishing to exercise it.

The event will remain “topless” for those wishing to take their roofs off; however, it is not mandatory for competitors to remove their roofs to compete. Track owner Bill Sawyer, showing his support for the concept of a topless race, is adding a $300 bonus for any driver that does remove his roof for the race and wins the 50 lap segment of the USA 100.
The format will find time trails setting Twin $1000 to win, 25-lap qualifying events. The top 11 drivers from each of those will advance to the final 50-lap segment of the show paying $10,000 to-win.

USA 100 TM Twin 25-lap qualifying races: 1. $1,000; 2. $750; 3. $500; 4. $400; 5. $350; 6. $300; 7 $250; 8. $250 9. $250; 10. $250 11.$250; 12. $300; 13. $275; 14. $250; 15. $240; 16. $230; 17. $220; 18. $210; 19. $200; 20. $200; 21. $200; 22. $200; 23. $200; 24. $200. 25. $200; 26. $200.

Final 50 lap segment of the USA 100 TM 1. $10,000; 2. $5,000; 3. $3,000; 4. $2,000; 5. $1,500; 6. $1,250; 7 $1,150; 8. $1,100 9. $1,075; 10. $1050 11.$1025; 12. $1,000; 13. $900; 14. $800; 15. $750; 16. $750; 17. $750; 18. $750; 19. $750; 20. $750; 21. $750; 22. $750; 23. $750; 24.$750. 25. $750; 26. $750.

Entry fee is $150.00 plus for those who need a transponder there will be a $25.00 non-refundable fee.

A strong contingent of local and regional drivers will compete for the top prize with a few of the previous USA 100TM winners are guaranteed to be in attendance including Jason Covert, Mike Balzano and Chuck Harper, who all coincidentally are current or previous MACS Champions as well. Expect to also see Carolina Clash superstars Ricky Weeks, Dennis “Rambo” Franklin, Jeff Smith along with national and regional powerhouse drivers like Tim Fuller, Booper Bare, Ricky Elliott, 2006 winner Jeremy Miller, G.R. Smith and a host of others competing against the MACS and Carolina Clash regulars for the $10,000 top prize.

Previous USA 100TM winners include: Jason Covert (07); Jeremy Miller (06); Steve Lucas (’05, ’99, ‘95); Rod Evans (’04); 2003 — no race; 2002 — no race; 2001 — no race; Chuck Harper (’00); Denny Chamberlain (’98); Mike Balzano (’97 and ‘87); Henry Hornsby Jr. (‘96); Donnie Moran (’94); Scott Bloomquist (’93-‘92); Billy Moyer (’91); Harold Redman Sr. (’90); Rod Evans and Harold Redman Sr. (Twin 50’s) (’89); Timmy Newman (only 88 laps) (’88); 1986 — no race; 1985 — no race; 1984 — no race; Larry Moore (’83 and ‘80); Delmas Conley (’82 and ‘79); Dickie Bartusiak (’81); Larry Cantley (’78); Gene McNeely (’77).

The speedway will once again provided fans with a top-flight show for very favorable ticket prices. Adults are $30.00 while Seniors (60+) and Military are $25.00. Students 13-17 $12.00, Children 7-12 $5.00, and children Under 6 FREE. Pit passes will be $25.00.

Check Virginia Motor Speedway’s website at www.vamotorspeedway.com for a $5 off coupon, good on any adult, senior or military ticket.

The competitor gates open at 3:00 p.m. while the spectator gates swing open at 4:00 p.m. On Track Action begins at 6:00 pm with hot laps.

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway, an ASA Member Track affiliate, is a 1/2-mile, dirt oval. The track is located on U.S. Route 17, eight miles north of Saluda, VA and 25 miles south of Tappahannock, VA in beautiful Jamaica, VA. The speedway is just a short drive from the Richmond, Fredericksburg, Southern Maryland and the Hampton Roads areas.

To learn more about Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway and its 2008 schedule of events, fans and competitors may call the Speedway office at (804) 758-1VMS or visit the track online at www.vamotorspeedway.com.

USA 100 TM is a registered trademark / service mark of TYLERCO GROUP USA, LLC

MEDIA CONTACTS:
VMS: DAVE SEAY (804) 758-1867 OR (804) 357-7223
MACS: JEFF GEESEY (724) 465-2222
CAROLINA CLASH: CLINT ELKINS (910) 322-8028