Tracks: Irwindale Speedway set for second season of racing; Opening Night 2000
19 March 2000
Irwindale, Calif. - - Irwindale Speedway's second season will kick off with a super night of NASCAR racing action featuring "The Home Depot 100" for Super Late Models cars, a 100-lap race with a hefty $15,000 purse. "We're expecting at least 50 Super Late Models to be here attempting to qualify for the 30 main event starting positions, it's going to be a great night for the fans," said the track's VP, Bob DeFazio. Opening night is always special and we've sort of 'stacked the deck' to make sure of it." Adding NASCAR Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, and Super Stocks to that night's show will put a full night of racing action on the fast half mile. Many racing celebrity guests are expected to be on hand for the gala night which will feature a number of surprises for the fans in the stands. "I'm not going to spoil the surprise, I'll just say that we've got a very 'enlightening' Opening Ceremony planned for March 25," DeFazio indicated. KABC7's L.A.'s most recognizable, most popular TV meteorologist, Dallas Raines, been tapped to drive the brand new 2000 Advantage Ford Mustang Pace Car for the track's second season opening night festivities and he's promised a beautiful starry Saturday evening for NASCAR racing at Irwindale. The Speedway ticket office will open at noon on Opening Night and the grandstand gates will open at 5:00 pm. Fans are encouraged to come out early to buy their tickets to avoid a last minute rush. A special car club car show will be staged in the Chalet Village area behind the grandstands, and KZLA's live band on-air simulcast will keep the beat going from 5 to 7 pm for the early arrivals. After the races fans are invited to join the drivers and their crews in the pits; cameras, autograph books, and questions are encouraged. Kids, Moms, Dads … Everyone gets to meet their heroes personally. Tickets for Opening Night (or any of Irwindale Speedway's thirty-six nights of family-style action entertainment right up to Turkey Night) are now also available on line through Tickets.com. Special Opening Ceremonies will take place at 7:00 pm with racing following directly thereafter. Conveniently located at "the top" of the 605 Freeway, Irwindale Speedway is within easy freeway reach of all of southern California. A visit to the Speedway's website can very easily produce a custom-drawn map outlining the quick trip from their own front door to the main parking lot of the Speedway.