Texas Speedzone - South Texas Speedway's Grand Re-opening

South Texas Speedway Announces Grand Re-opening
By J M Hallas

Corpus Christi, Tx. As the 2006 racing season begins, so does a new beginning at South Texas Speedway, the 1/4 semi-banked clay track in Corpus Christi. This year, through the efforts of Owen Pittman and Gary Perry, the track has been leased with an option to buy and has scheduled an opening date of Saturday, Feb. 18th. The last race at the facility was in 2003, under the name Saratoga Speedway.

Pittman, who promoted the 1st Annual Turkey Shootout at the track in 2002, also promoted Corpus Christi Motor Speedway for two years, the South Texas Mini Sprints for a year as well as co-promoting the Texas Asphalt Modified Series. He brings along numerous years of experience in the racing community. Perry, brings several years of racing experience and adds his business knowledge to form a well established partnership that looks forward to the coming season.

“We feel very excited about the outlook on 2006", said Pittman. “We have some major sponsors already signed up and several that have committed to doing a lot such as Texas Steel, AutoZone, Firestone, Padre Tire & Automotive, Budweiser, Corpus Christi Harley Davidson and others. With our growing sponsor list this could be an awesome season for our first year. The car count is still here. Our first drivers meeting in December had 69 drivers sign up for racing in 2006. We know there are many new cars being built, especially limited modifieds.”

“Our biggest challenge will be getting the crowds to come back out to the track and see the excitement of dirt racing”, added Pittman. “ The down fall of past promoters at this facility has always been the lack of fan attendance, we want to look at every avenue to pack the stands each week.”

South Texas Speedway will run Modifieds, Limited Modifieds, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Texas Thunder Stocks(4-Cyl.) on a rotating weekly schedule. The season will kick off with all six classes on February 18th with gates opening at 6:00 and racing starting at 7:30. Pittman and team hope to bring in the American Sprint Car Series(ASCS), Monster Trucks and tractor pulls in the future. This years schedule will include a $5,000 to win modified special on November 24th-25th, plus two “Thrills and Spills Extravaganzas” (April 1st and Sept. 2nd). These shows are highlighted by Figure 8 racing, Demo Derbies and the always entertaining car and boat races. .

For more info, class rules, schedule visit www.southtexasspeedway.com or call Owen Pittman at 361-548-0669.