NASCAR HAS ARRIVED AT ROSEVILLE TRACK

Source: Karen E. Spencer
Date: 02/26/2007

NASCAR is in the neighborhood, as the All American Speedway in Roseville prepares for their first season as a sanctioned NASCAR track. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is America’s number one weekly short track program. With just three other NASCAR local racing tracks in California, the affiliation is sure to heat up the weekly series in Roseville. The All American Speedway is owned and operated by the Placer County Fair Association, under the direction of Brock Wimberley, CEO and Rick Poppert, Director of Competition.

A major transformation has taken place at the Speedway, since the season ended in September, to provide improved safety for the public and the competitors. Construction will be completed by the April 7, 2007 opening race. Safety walls that had not been replaced since their installation in the late 1960s or early 1970s, were removed and rebuilt. Safety fencing to contain vehicle debris during a crash is being installed around the entire perimeter of the racetrack, replacing an eight-foot plywood wall.

The 1/4 mile oval racetrack has been extended approximately 90 feet to the North, with increased banking in turns three and four and an additional 30 feet added to the backstretch to provide additional racing surface for competitors to avoid disabled or wrecked vehicles, increasing competitor safety and reducing potential injury. The original dirt track was built in 1955.

Additionally, the on/off ramps have been relocated to the East side of the Speedway, exiting high in turn two and entering high in turn three, where vehicle speeds are the slowest. Previously, the racers exited off the back straightaway, where vehicle speed was the greatest with a potentially greater risk of injury in the pit area should brakes or steering fail.

According to Wimberley, “The improvements will have minimal impact on track size–it will still maintain a 1/4 mile racing surface–but the improvement in safety to the drivers and crews will be tremendous. We have been fortunate that dedicated members of the community who believe in our racing program have donated the majority of expertise, equipment, labor and materials. Tom Peterson of A-All Mini Storage, Bill McAnally of Bill McAnally Racing, and John Moore of JM Environmental are just a few who have been instrumental to the success of this project. The Fair Board and all our staff are extremely grateful for their relentless effort and dedication.”

NASCAR estimates that more than 75% of all NASCAR license holders participate in the Whelen All American Series, and local short track racing has launched the careers of many of today’s racing superstars. Bobby Labonte, Elliott Sadler, Mike Wallace, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are just a few who advanced through NASCAR’s short track ranks.

The first race of the NASCAR All American Speedway season will be held April 7 with divisions for Late Model, Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Bombers. During the season the track will also host Mini Cup, Baby Grand, Legends, USAC Sprint Cars, as well as fun-for all enduro, train, trailer and boat races. The public is invited to come for the March Play Days each Saturday while drivers tune up for the season. Grandstand admission is free to the public for Play Days.

For more information about the All American Speedway, its history, race schedule, recaps and more, visit www.allamericanspeedway.com.

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