RACE TEAMS ANXIOUS FOR PRACTICE DATES AT LEBANON VALLEY WEST LEBANON, NY
WEST LEBANON, NY - Lebanon Valley Speedway will hold its first pre-season practice session on Saturday April 12th. Many new race teams are expected in all divisions this season and along with the teams making chassis changes over the off season everyone is anxious to get on the track for some lap time. The Modified division will find a few new entries in 2003. Former IMCA competitor Steve Hough of East Schodack, NY returns to The Valley with some great equipment. Steve will campaign a car piloted last season by the 2002 Lebanon Valley high point champion, Brett Hearn. The complete back up Gable Motorsports #1 racer including motor was purchased by Steve last fall at the swap meet. Mike Benson of Eagle Bridge, NY teamed up last year to run the 358 Modified races with the Young Family from Bennington, VT. Denny Young Jr. also competed in the 358's. Denny Sr. and Mike's Dad Len put a deal together over the winter to put a big block program together with Mike as the shoe. The younger Benson has experience with the big blocks and should be right in the points chase. Bennington, VT will also serve as home base for another 358 Modified racer who will bring a big block to the high banks in 03. Ron Dwyer, a regular runner at Albany-Saratoga Speedway will make West Lebanon his Saturday night place for fun. Dwyer will also team up with a new Sportsman team with a ton of experience. Chad Pierce, son of well known crew chief "Peanut" Pierce will be a new addition to the Valley Sportsman division. Pierce and Dwyer will operate as a two-car team. The Sportsman division looks to be very strong this season, as no less than 10 brand new teams will be joining the class. Pure Stock drivers Brian Sandstedt of Canaan, NY and Mark Houston of East Greenbush, NY will be moving up as well as Rookie driver Joe Mabb Jr. of Hudson, NY. A posse of brand-new young guns will also looking for glory on the famed high banks. Bloomfield, CT's Chris Garrity, son of Mike Garrity from Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming and Averill Park, NY's Kyle Hoffman, son of Dick Hoffman from Hoffman Carpentry will both cut their dirt racing teeth in Sportsman cars. Garrity and Hoffman have both been sponsors of Lebanon's all time Modified winner Kenny Tremont Jr. and I'm sure he will help the boys get going. Joining these youngsters will be Gary Munsen of New Fairfield, CT. He'll pilot a racer for Walter Knopp of New Milford, CT. They'll campaign a racer purchased from New Milford, CT Sportsman hot shoe Bobby Knipe. The Pro Stock Division will find the return of Scott Govertsen of Valatie, NY. and Kevin Ward of Hyde Park, NY. Both drivers are very competitive at Lebanon Valley and should visit Victory Lane in 2003. The Rookie Pro Stock and Pure Stock divisions also look very healthy for the upcoming year. The racers are looking forward to the end of winter and the beginning of a new season of hopes and dreams of success. The first warm-up date at Lebanon Valley Speedway is Saturday April 12th. The pits will open at 1pm with track open for practice from 3pm-6pm. Spectators are admitted to the grandstands for free season passes will be available at the red novelty trailer on the midway. You can also purchase your 2003 Dirt or Lebanon Valley License as you sign in the pit gate. The second warm-up date will be Wednesday April 23rd. Due to the weather conditions over the winter scheduling this practice date after opening night should provide a better racing surface just prior to the Sportsman opener. Pits will open on April 23rd at 5pm with the track open from 6pm-8pm. Spectators will once again be admitted to the grandstands for free. For more information visit www.lebanonvalley.com.