B'laster Cavalcade of Stars Has Sell Out Crowd Saturday

Search for

DRC home :: Events :: Feedback :: Wallpaper :: Advanced Search

<< Back To Search Result

Sun, 16 May 2010, 09:30 AM

B'laster Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser has Sell-Out Crowd Saturday

Courtesy of Summit Motorsports Park

Racing Action Continues Sunday at Summit Motorsports Park

NORWALK, Ohio --

The crowd at the 4th Annual B'laster
Cavalcade of Stars Presented by Budweiser

The second day of racing at the 4th Annual B'laster Cavalcade of Stars Presented by Budweiser was a day dominated by participant and fan attendance records. Unprecedented fan turnout at Summit Motorsports Park meant the facility could not hold any more people, forcing the decision to close the gates to additional spectators at 5:00 pm.

The first attendance record of the day was set by mid-day, as 557 sportsman racers had officially entered the race, the second of six events in the North Central Division of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. That not only set a participation record at the Cavalcade of Stars at Summit Motorsports Park, it was the largest single-day participant count at any Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event anywhere in the country. Jay Hullinger, NHRA North Central Division Director, noted that racers always look forward to competing in Norwalk, Ohio, saying, "Racers are excited to come here. It's a first-class facility, an excellent track surface, and the Summit Motorsports Park staff is well-known for their hospitality."

Bill Bader, Jr., president of Summit Motorsports Park, said, "We work very hard to have the best track surface we can and our staff is eager to give racers an exceptional experience. It's exciting when you get 557 of the best sportsman racers from across the country to compete on a single weekend."

The second record of the day, spectator attendance, looked possible by mid-afternoon as traffic was backed up for a mile on State Route 18 and State Route 601 leading to the track. Leo Taugher, NHRA announcer, said over the PA system at 3:00 pm, "I've been announcing races for 30 years, and this is the biggest crowd I've ever seen for a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series race. It's only 3:00 pm and the evening show doesn't even start until 6:00!"

Fans continued to stream into Summit Motorsports Park at a record-setting pace for the rest of the afternoon, forcing the decision to close the gates at 5:00 pm. It was the first time in the track's nearly 50-year history that such a drastic action was needed. "We're grateful to all the fans who showed up to support this race," said Bader. "Fans showed up early in the day and we started getting concerned around 2:00 pm when the parking lots were nearly at capacity. By 5:00 we simply had no choice but the close the gates, we just couldn't hold any more people. Our staff was just stunned."

"This kind of turnout has to be a good sign for the economy and brings up the very real concern that our guests may face similar situations for other races if they don't have advance reserved tickets," continued Bader. "The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in June and the NAPA Night Under Fire in July are mostly reserved seating so fans can be assured of a seat, but only while advance reserved seats remain available." Bader noted that trackside motor home camping for the NHRA race was already sold out.

"I am sorry we could not accommodate all B'laster Cavalcade of Stars fans Saturday, but we are honoring all remaining tickets for Sunday, or at the Super Chevy Show June 11-13," said Bader.

Saturday's official attendance figures were not available Saturday evening.

Competition continues Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 a.m., sportsman eliminations begin at 9:00 a.m. and eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at 1:00 p.m. Racers are competing for divisional and national points and a share of a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil. For more information and ticket prices: www.SummitMotorsportsPark.com.