Snowfall in Upstate New York typically means that the nearest Bully Hill Nationals race was in the past rather than the future. This year however, as the weather starts to warm up so will the racing, as the ninth running of this event will take place in just over two months! This is just one of the many parts of the major facelift made to Black Rock Speedway’s largest event.
Easily the biggest component of the all-new Bully Hill Vineyards NY Sprint Nationals presented by S. P. Wilson was making this event an O’Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National event. ASCoT tours all across the country, with at least a dozen of the best drivers from states such as Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana invading New York for the first time. Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, NY, will be the first leg of the 2007 ASCS Eastern Speedweek.
Among the nationally ranked stars expected to compete in this historic event, which takes place May 17-19, is three-time and defending O’Reilly ASCoT champion Gary Wright of Hooks, TX. Wright also won the first big sprint race in the U. S. in 2007, making him the early point leader once again.
Hailing from Eunice, LA, Jason Johnson was the North American Sprint Car Driver of the Year in 2006 and will be on hand to contend for the $4,000-to-win prize. Other top contenders from land west of the Mississippi include Kansas racer Garry Lee Maier, Texas shoe Travis Rilat, and Oklahoma hotshoes Nick Smith, Darren Stewart and Wayne Johnson.
Drivers that reside closer to Black Rock with plenty of seat time at the fast 4/10th-mile will also be serious contenders throughout the weekend. Chuck Hebing is up near the top of this list. A three-time winner at Black Rock, the 2006 ASCS Patriot Region Champion has no intention of slowing down, especially that early in the season.
“Cobra’s†dancing partner this year is 2005 ASCS Patriot Champion Bryan Howland, who made the Bully Hill Nationals his breakout race in 2004, the year that George Suprick claimed his series championship. Suprick has won this event twice and has a record in Dundee that is unparalleled. Early estimations have the car count nearing an all-time event high of around 70 top-notch cars running practically new equipment early in the season.
“It will be exciting to see how home-track experience factors in for the Patriot drivers, †noted Black Rock Speedway General Manger Alex Hoag. “These are the best drivers in the county we are talking about here. â€
While so many things are different for the 2007 edition of this great event, one thing remains the same: the title sponsors. Bully Hill Vineyards has confirmed its continued partnership with this event that has often been known as “Bully Hillâ€. Along with presenting sponsor S. P. Wilson, they help to make this event even better.
“We can’t thank Bully Hill and S. P. Wilson for enabling us to bring the best drivers to New York for the first time, †noted Hoag.
Over $40,000 will be put in the purse for this great weekend, which will kick off on Thursday, May 17, with a practice session that will include free admission to the main grandstands. The action continues through Saturday with the new champion being crowned at the end of the feature event.
The O’Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series is currently slated for 46 nights of racing action at 24 different tracks throughout 16 different states, with more than $1,000,000 in purse money and point fund to be distributed during the 2007 season.
The 2007 season marks the 16th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series. With 13 different Regions in addition to the O’Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series, ASCS will sanction approximately 240 nights of racing at more than 100 different race tracks throughout at least 30 different states and Canada.
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