Story By: DAVE BUCHANAN / LANCASTER SPEEDWAY & DRAGWAY – LANCASTER, NY – Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway has been forced to make adjustments to the previously scheduled opening days for its 60th season of operation.
Track ownership and management mutually agreed upon the difficult decision following several weeks of “extended winter” in Western New York instead of the arrival of spring.
The Queen City Clash opening day event for the X-Press Signs Stock Car Series will now be Saturday, May 5 with a 2 p.m. start featuring the Late Model Mania race card that was previously scheduled for that day. Lancaster’s weekly home track divisions, Sportsman, Advance Auto Parts Street Stocks and Roaming Buffalo 4-Cylinders, will make their season debuts plus the Race of Champions Late Models will be in action. The remainder of the 2018 Stock Car schedule remains unchanged starting with the first Saturday night show of the season on May 12 at 6:30 p.m., with the first of five appearances by the Race of Champions Modified Series.
Weather will dictate when the track will schedule a preseason practice session for Stock Car teams.
The Franco’s Pizza Friday Night drag racers will begin their IHRA points season on Friday, May 11 for VIP Night with a 5 p.m. start. The following week is the first appearance of the Supercharged Bounty Hunters on May 18 with a 5 p.m. start.
Test & Tune and Tech Inspection will now take place on Friday, May 4 at 5 p.m.
“Going off the past two years, scheduling the April races with 2 p.m. starts seemed feasible,” said Tim Packman, Track President. “As the cold temps and snow continued through much of March and into April this year, it became obvious we needed to alter our plans.
“The track and ground must be ready for racers and fans. If the ground under the asphalt remains soft and doesn’t have time to drain off and dry, we will crumble the asphalt and end up having bigger problems.
“I hate this more than anyone, trust me. But, we’re all in this together and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation. We can look forward to the new opening days and nicer weather together, as well.”
With the new opening days, the track is extending the Max Pass ticket offer for both the Drag and Stock Car seasons until April 25. Fans can take advantage of the savings and avoid the lines with the new Max Pass/VIP entry ticket window being utilized this season.
