ASA - CROSSVILLE RACEWAY MOVING TO SATURDAY NIGHT ASA RACING PROGRAM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 13, 2007) - Crossville (Tenn.) Raceway has had a checkered past, and it was not limited to the one which flies at the conclusion of the race. However, the days of uncertainty and a revolving door of ownership are behind them as a new group took control last August and, with the ASA Member Track support, are ready to embark on a regular schedule of weekly racing.

Al Varnadore, Crossville Raceway's vice-president, said that the track had been sporadically in operation and went through multiple ownership changes over the past five years. However, in August a new partnership took control and tried to set the track on a schedule of weekly racing but was thwarted by bad weather.

Unfortunately, this year hasn't started much better either as the April 7 opening night was postponed a week due to unseasonably cold and freezing weather in the Tennessee region, and rain washed out this one. "Weather has been our worst enemy," Varnadore said, only half-joking.

Regardless, he is optimistic that the change from their traditional Friday program to a Saturday night schedule will pay off.

"Saturday night is a much better night because we can do so much more with the schedule," Varnadore explained. "For example, we can start earlier in the evening. It looks like we will begin our programs around 5:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. when cold weather is a factor. When temperatures are normal, the events will begin at 7:00pm. Now we can be racing before it gets cold at night when necessary and end earlier which is much better for fans with children. We just couldn't do those types of things with our old Friday night program."

Crossville Raceway, a one-third mile clay oval, will run a weekly schedule of Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and Four-Cylinder Front Wheel Drive cars. They also have a variety of special events planned, including several touring series and a special Tuesday night program featuring NASCAR drivers Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace. Track information can be found HERE. or by calling (931) 456-5000.

One thing that should help expedite the programs in 2007 is the addition of a second opening in Turn 1 to help get race cars off the track. Previously, there was only one entrance so it took time to get the cars off and the next wave onto the racing facility.

"We are trying to become more fan-friendly and this new exit will help speed up our racing program considerably from past years," Varnadore explained. "We want to try and get the fans and competitors out of the track at a decent hour."

Like its sister track, East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla., Crossville Raceway is a new partner in the ASA Member Track program. They have a Level II status which joins them with a network of racetracks across the country dedicated to working together to improve the state of weekly racing for both fans and competitors.

"I really like the ASA plan and what Dennis (Huth, president of the ASA Member Track, Regional and National Racing programs) is doing with it. I like that we are able to work with all the other tracks and promoters to help make short track racing stronger in the industry and to help fend off the threat we face from other entertainment options that are available today."

When the weather finally cooperates and the green flag falls on the 2007 season the teams will be greeted by the sight of ASA logos around the facility the competitors will be covered by the renowned ASA participant accident insurance. The ASA insurance program, always noted for its excellence, has been further enhanced by the recently announced partnership with TOPIC Motorsports Insurance (TMI). ASA Member Track operators are able to purchase general and excess liability, automobile, an expanded ASA-exclusive $500,000 participant accident medical, workers compensation and health insurance directly from TMI. Details are available online at topicinsurance.com .

Varnadore also extended a welcome to fans from Atomic Speedway which recently shuttered its doors. "We think that this is one of the premier tracks in the state and we would love to have Atomic's fans come and watch some dirt track racing Crossville style. I know they won't go home disappointed," he said.

"Al and his group are putting in a ton of work and a lot of effort into making improvements on-and-off the track and I really want to commend them for all their hard work," Huth said. "I've been in the short track industry for a long time and I completely understand how frustrating it is when weather puts the program on hold. That is the one element that nobody can control, yet it is such a powerful influence in the weekly racing industry. But they will be redeemed with happy fans and a great car count as the word is getting out in the area that Crossville Raceway is back, and will remain back in operation for a long time into the future."

"Al and his team are going the extra mile, like nearly every promoter and owner who is part of the ASA Member Track program and that is the type of effort that is making the ASA tracks thrive and be so successful while others have gotten stagnant," Huth added.