DIRT TRACK HEROES NEWS

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CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456

Release prepared by Steve Pados

NAPA AUTO PARTS 5TH ANNUAL DIRT TRACK HEROES OPENS TO HUGE CROWD AT PHILLIPSBURG MALL, SHOW CONTINUES THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 10

In a show that began in the planning stages last November, the long hours of planning and scheduling, the many phone calls, emails, and letter correspondence all paid off Sunday at the opening of the NAPA Auto Parts 5th Annual Dirt Track Heroes Car Show at the Phillipsburg, Mall. The coordinated efforts of a well-schooled events team and the heart-warming response from car owners and drivers brought the jam packed Phillipsburg Mall opening day crowd to a resounding roar for its seven day run at the Phillipsburg, New Jersey Mall. At last count, one-hundred and sixteen race cars from many divisions or series of the motorsports world filled the Mall space as the many fans of racing came out to get their first glimpse of the cars they will be seeing in battle throughout the summer months in the Tri State Area.

The NAPA Auto Parts of the Delaware Valley took center stage as the auto parts chain with more than 6,000 stores Nationally and five in the show's calling area greeted the large throngs of racing fans who came out to enjoy the opening day ceremonies highlighted by a two show day that began at Noon and ran until the Mall's closing for the day. Longtime broadcasting personalities Ed and Steve Pados, along with assistance from Bobby Stull, Justin Beltrame and Greg Collins, kicked off the week long journey into the motorsports world by first introducing talking to NAPA Auto Parts director John Niles who explained the significance of the NAPA/Dirt Track Heroes history of working together and just how important a show of this nature is important to everyone connected to motorsports as well as the corporate infra-structure through sponsorship and retail sales. IRCO Vice President Greg Collins offered his thoughts in relating to the long hard hours of planning and scheduling goes into making the show such a success and how the show has helped the IRCO Group with their past sponsorship of the event. Corey Mechanical guru Gordon Crowell was on hand for the opening ceremonies and was very pleased with the turn out of fans and the interest generated for his heating and cooling service company that utilizes Tempstar products when servicing new installations.

The Pados Brothers and Bobby Stull proceeded into the interviews and many of the familiar star figures of past racing wars took part in the interviews sessions that began with a tribute to all of the tracks with the focus on the Nazareth half-mile and Nazareth National Speedways. Among the many legendary driving talents on hand to interview for the show and also thrilled us many times with their daring devil may care driving styles on the speedways included Carl "Fuzzy" Van Horn, Bill Wilson, Tommy Hager, Sammy Beavers, Stan Ploski, Joe Poliacik, Billy Tanzosh, Ward and Dottie Crozier, Rich Marinelli, Ken Kutzman, Jerry Robison, Tommy Vroom, Paul Deasey Jr, Glen Ehrhardt and a very special appearance from legendary car owner Paul Deasey of 707 "Big Donkey" fame. Pavement stars Tony and Matt Hirschman were on hand for the show as was NASCAR Whelen All American Series Champion David Polenz. Jerry Tonti, Ted Schmidt, Peach Cole , Pete Gardner, David Chase and Announcers Steve Pados and Justin Beltrame and General Manager Carl "Fuzzy" Van Horn were among the notables from Lake Mocatek. Thunder on the Hill and Bridgeport Speedway Announcer Jeff Ahlum explained the new direction of the Bridgeport Speedway with new promoter Doug Hoffman at the controls. Auto Stylist Sonny Croughn was on hand with his DARE 2B BAD Big Block Trike and signed autographs throughout the day as he celebrates 50 years in the racing industry. The WALN Party Girls Vicky Kidd and Layla Josie were on hand for the show with "Happy Jack" Burns the Polka King of the Lehigh Valley.

The stage show area will be sponsored by the IRCO Community Federal Credit Union and IRCO Vice President and noted Harmony Speedway Historian Greg Collins will be part of the announcing team headed up by longtime show hosts the Pados Brothers. The "Golden Era" of auto racing from the late fifties through the early eighties was an era that saw many changes take place in the way the race cars were constructed. The word "stock" gave way to ingenuity at first and followed closely by technology as the race cars became less stock appearing and relied more heavily on the latest speed part that would make the race car go faster. While the years have changed the look and the cost of racing, the spirit of the competition remains much as it was when racing in the local area was launched. The great fan base of racing can come out to this grand Mall event and be transported back to a time when they could hop into their family jitney and travel less than a half hour to witness the excitement of a night at the races. All historical racing groups including Reading, Flemington, Harmony, Dorney Park and Nazareth will have their memorabilia on display and their many scrapbooks open for the fans to take another long look at the glory years of racing and possibly find a picture or two they want to purchase as a keepsake from past glory or racing exploits.

2012 Fifth Annual NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Car Show Schedule of Events

Monday- March 5 - (6 PM) – Presented by R& F International Muffler & Brake welcoming ATQMRA, Borger’s Speedway, Kutztown Speedway, Shellhamers Speedway, Snydersville Raceway, X-Cel 600 Modifieds, Oreville Karts and the Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium. Guest appearance from ARCA Driving Star Sean Corr

Tuesday- March 6 - (6 PM) Smith Fabrications/Stage One Modifieds/Hamlin Speedways welcoming the “Stars of Tomorrow” featuring Quarter Midget Clubs: Oaklane, Blue Mountain, Lehigh Valley, West End Raceway, Keystone, South Jersey and Garden State Quarter Midget Clubs. Special appearance by seven time AMA Motorcycle Champion and Hall of Fame inductee, "The Warrior" Chris Carr

Wednesday- March 7 - (6 PM) - Presented by Caffe Europa featuring New Egypt Speedway and Wall Stadium Night - Saluting the Legends of the East Windsor Speedway - Invite to the Garden State Vintage Racing Club

Thursday- March 8 - (6 PM) – Hamlin Speedways/Smith Fabrications/Stage One Modifieds welcoming Hamlin Speedway, Stage One Modifieds, Accord Speedway, Orange County Fair Speedway and Big Diamond Speedway Night

Friday - March 9 - (4 PM) Corey Mechanical presents the Legends Showcase: Bill Wimble and Freddy Adam with a book signing and showcase discussion with Carl "Fuzzy" Van Horn, Gerald Chamberlain, Ronnie Dunstan, Sammy Beavers, Tom Hager, Kenny Wismer, Richard Marinelli, Bill DeCoster, Red Coffin, Randy Smith, Richie Smith, Leroy Amey, Earl Derr and many more of the legendary stars who are our "Dirt Track Heroes"

(7 PM) - Presented by Martocci's Automotive Salute to Thunder on the Hill Series, Grandview Speedway, Bridgeport Speedway, ARDC Midgets, URC, TSRS Sprints, CRSA Sprints, plus the Legends of the Reading Fairgrounds and Dorney Park Speedways

Saturday - March 10 - (Noon until complete) Corey Mechanical welcomes the stars from Flemington Speedway, all divisions, Flemington Speedway Racing Historical Society and Harmony Speedway Group. All drivers invited to return for fan-fest and Autograph Session. Guest appearance from David Polenz

Caffe Europa serves as the Official Restaurant of the NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Show

IRCO Community Federal Credit Union sponsors the Nightly Stage Area

Mall Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. -

*Schedule subject to change

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