Dirt Track Auto Racing Returns to East Houston With Re-Opening of Battleground Speedway

    HOUSTON--Feb. 7, 2003--Championship dirt track auto racing returns to East Houston when Battleground Speedway re-opens on Saturday, March 8, 2003. Located just four miles north of I-10 on FM 2100, Battleground Speedway features a 3/8 mile groomed dirt track, a 4,000-seat grandstand, and a 1/8 mile infield racing track for kid kart and EMSA Midgets racing.
    Seven classes of cars will race at Battleground Speedway: Sprint Cars, Outlaw Modifieds, Late Model Stock, Street Stock, Thunderbombers, Limited Modified, and EMSA 600cc Midgets. Every week racers will compete for trophies and thousands of dollars in prize money. In addition, Crazy Cruisers and kid karts racers (ages 7 - 13) will compete for trophies.
    Chris Duoto Sr., involved in auto racing since he was seven years old, and partner in Battleground Speedway said, "We wanted to bring the best in dirt track racing and the fastest dirt track racers closer to Houston fans. Because I think like a racer, I know what racers want, so we've made this a very racer-friendly track. And we wanted to make sure that it's an evening that the whole family can enjoy and afford."
    Duoto is a former racer, having won a championship in 1967 in the Late Model stock class at Meyer Speedway. His son Pete has won four championships, including back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002. Pete will race this season at Battleground.
    According to Duoto's partner Joe Owens, "We're going to start our season, weather permitting, with two test and tune dates, Feb. 15 and 22. We've already registered over 150 cars and have had calls from a variety of area retailers who want to sponsor races. We've been thrilled by the response from both racers and fans to our plans to re-open Battleground."
    Pit passes are $25 per person for anyone over 12, $5 for children from 8 - 12, free for children under 8 when accompanied by an adult. Grandstand tickets are $10 for anyone over 12, $5 for seniors and children 8 - 12, children 7 and under are free.
    Battleground's racing season will run from March 8 to Oct. 25. Racing will begin at 7 p.m. every Saturday during the season. Pit gates open at 4 p.m., grandstand seating opens at 5:30 and hot laps will begin at 6:15 p.m.
    For information on racing, sponsoring, or ticket buying, call 713-946-RACE, or visit: www.battlegroundspeedway.com.