SSP RACING FAMILY MOURNS THE LOSS OF LATE MODEL CHAMPION CARL BILLET

-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SSP Racing Family Mourns the Loss of Late Model Champion Carl Billet

Newberrytown, PA (February 25, 2013) – The Susquehanna Speedway Park racing family mourns the passing of Carl Billet of York on Monday, February 25. Billet, a seven-time Late Model Track Champion at SSP, suffered a severe stroke on Saturday night and was transported to the Hershey Medical Center for treatment. Billet passed on Monday afternoon.

On Friday night, February 22, Carl Billet was the center of attention as he claimed his honors and awards at the SSP Night of Honor and Awards Banquet at the Valencia Ballroom in downtown York. A joyful Billet joked around on stage with fellow racers J.R. Rodriguez and Justin Ehrhart. Billet later accepted his plaque for his seventh SSP Track Championship. Afterwards, he brought his crew and owners to the stage to present them each with championship jackets. Billet also collected the 2012 A.R.C.H. Sportsmanship Award An emotional Billet claimed, “This is the first time in my career that I have ever won a sportsmanship award.”

Carl Billet, was born on March 14, 1954, two months prior to the first race held at the 4/10 mile oval at Susquehanna Speedway. Carl was 58 years old and is the current leader for all-time feature wins at SSP with 58. The next closest in the Late Model class with feature wins is Jeff Leiphart with 28. Billet’s racing career began 33 years ago as he claimed seven track championships at SSP (1986, 1989, 1990, 200, 2007, 2008, 2012) spanning over four decades.

Billet collected a total of 18 track championships and 182 feature victories at a combination of SSP and other speedways in Pennsylvania, the most other notable being the Silver Spring Speedway, which ceased operation in 2005. At Silver Spring Speedway, Billet collected 57 feature wins and 6 track titles. Billet also had at least one feature win in the last 26 consecutive years.

The 2013 season opener of SSP’s Stock Car Saturday Night will be on Saturday, April 6, with the Late Models, Street Stocks, Classic Cars and Super Sportsman Tour with a special tribute planned for the late Carl Billet.

The thoughts and prayers from the entire SSP family of employees, friends, drivers and crews are with the Billet family in their time of need.

The Susquehanna Speedway Park is located midway between Harrisburg and York off I-83 to exit 32, then 1.4 miles NW on SR382 to York Road, then 1.3 miles south. For more information, contact the speedway offices at (717) 292-1696 or visit online at sspracing.net. On race day, use the track phone at (717) 938-9170 for up-to-date information.