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Antigo's Summer Sizzler "Smokin"
by Paul Pittman
Antigo, WI (July 17, 2005): How do you make a big event even more
exciting? Simple. Get the community and its businesses
involved. That is just what the Antigo Stock Car, Inc (ASCI) folks did
in Antigo when looking at the upcoming Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint
event on August 6th and what they found was an overwhelming amount of
support. The event, (which sold out in both of it’s last two years),
has all the potential to be one of the bigger races on the IRA’s schedule
and why not? The atmosphere is probably some of the most friendly you
will find anywhere in the country and the fans know what they want.
Good, fast exciting racing at an affordable price. That is exactly
what’s on tap for them thanks to the generous donations of Verne’s
Kawasaki/Suzuki/Honda of Antigo, Two Angels Family Restaurant and the
World of Wood in Antigo. The extra cash has been added to supplement the
purse, which had already been beefed up thanks to the ASCI.
For starters, Two Angels Family Restaurant will award the night’s fastest
qualifier a check for $250. World of Wood will then pay $100 to each
heat race winner, four of which would be run based on a car count in excess of
thirty-five cars, (which is what is conservatively expected). The ASCI
has guaranteed the feature winner $2500. Verne’s has then added
bonuses for the following conditions: An additional bonus of $1000 will
be paid to the winner of any heat race that wins the A-Main feature. In
addition, should a driver perform a clean sweep, (Fastest Qualifier, win his
heat race and then win the feature), an additional bonus of $500 will be added
brining the grand total to $4,350 to the winner, should they sweep the night.
“I like to build on what works,” commented Marc Johnson, president of the
ASCI, “and this show has been one of the seasons biggest for us since the
IRA returned here in 2003. The community also recognizes the impact when
the series is in town and is appreciative of the business and revenue
generated when you bring that many teams and fans into the area. This is
their way of saying thanks.” The extra incentives will
also go a long way to boosting individual team spirit as well. “It’s
been a long season already and there are a lot of teams that have already been
looking forward to the Antigo date as a way of getting to a point where they
can relax a bit. The friendly atmosphere there just makes you feel good
about everything,” stated IRA Media Rep Paul Pittman. “This will now
give them all the more reason to look forward to the show. I can’t say
enough about the support behind the group up there at Antigo. They
really know how to make you feel comfortable.” John Nagel also
added “This is all about racing and having fun, the way it was meant to be.
We want the fans to come and enjoy themselves at a big race and, we want the
teams to come and have fun while racing here. We even hired a band for a
big party afterward behind the grandstands. After the race, everyone can
slip back behind the stands, there’s plenty of room, meet the drivers and
teams and everyone can relax while being entertained.” Recording
artist, “The Bulldogs”, (www.bulldogsinet.com)
will be providing the post-race entertainment which is scheduled to begin
immediately after the checkered flag falls on the A-Main and post race
activities trackside are concluded. Also on the card will be a $300 to
win “Race Truck vs Steet Stock Showdown” which always provides for
interesting action and bragging rights.
“We’re not done yet either,” commented Gary Kreuger. “We are
still waiting for some answers from other businesses in the area that are also
interested in getting involved with the sprint car race coming up.
It’s contagious! The businesses are seeing the opportunities presented
by an event of this magnitude in the area.” Interested businesses can
still get in on the ground floor of the Summer Sizzler by calling
715-623-6086. For more information concerning the upcoming “Summer
Sizzler”, you can visit the Langlade Speedway’s website at http://www.langladespeedway.com.
For complete scheduling information and series rules, please visit the IRA’s
website at www.irasprints.com.
The Langlade Speedway is located on the north side of Antigo (WI) on state
route 45, enter off North Ave. Adult admission is $15 while kids 7 to 15
are $10. Pit-side seating is also available for this special show with
the purchase of a pit pass for $25, which will also allow you to see the
action going on behind the scenes during the show. (Sorry, no alcohol or
minors with pit passes.) Questions can be answered through the track
office at 715-623-3484.
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