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Vadnais Returns to Elko for Fall Festival of Speed
September 14, 2002
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. - For RE/MAX Challenge Series,
NASCAR Touring rookie driver Josh Vadnais, just competing from week to week
was an accomplishment. So as Vadnais prepares to head to his home track,
with 2002 series Rookie of the Year honors already secured, you can
understand his excitement.
"This is just really, really neat," said Vadnais with a smile. "Winning
the rookie deal was our goal at the beginning of the year, however, at the
same time, we were on such a tight budget that our program was truly week to
week."
Vadnais dominated a talented rookie class and secured the rookie title with
three races remaining on the 2002 schedule. The series travels next to
Vadnais's home track, Elko Speedway, in Elko, Minnesota, September 29 for
the running of the Great Clips 300.
"To go back to the track were I started racing late models weekly is always
fun," said Vadnais. "But to go back with the RE/MAX Challenge Series Rookie
of the Year title under my belt is icing on the cake."
Vadnais is the second consecutive Elko Speedway graduate to capture the
series Rookie of the Year award, following in the footsteps of Dan
Fredrickson.
"I think Dan set the table on the RE/MAX Challenge Series for a number of
years to come," stated Vadnais. "After he had success on the series,
younger drivers in Minnesota took notice and said, 'If Dan can do that, I
can do it to.' There is a lot of great young driving talent in the state of
Minnesota that is going to keep the series stocked for years to come."
The Great Clips 300 will mark the second series trip of the season to the
beautiful, newly remodeled, .375-mile Elko Speedway oval. The track is
located just minutes south of the twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Former series champion Kevin Cywinski notched the win when the RE/MAX
Challenge Series traveled to Elko Speedway in May. Twenty-six drivers are
scheduled to compete in this stop. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. (CT) on
September 29 with practice running from 10:00 to 10:45 and qualifying slated
for 11:30 a.m. The green flag will fly over the 300-lap main event at 3:30
p.m. The RE/MAX Challenge Series drivers will cap off the speedway's
three-day, 12th annual Great Clips Fall Festival of Speed. The Mid-American Trucks and
the Twin Cities Featherlite Shootout is also on tap for Sunday, the 29th.
Mid-American Stock Cars recieve top billing on Friday night and the NASCAR NorthStar Late Models headline Saturday night's racing activities with a 150 lap feature. For more information contact the Speedway Box Office at 952-461-RACE or visit
www.goelkospeedway.com.
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