Lonesome Pine Autumn Classic preview

Lonesome Pine Raceway prepares to light up the track with the Bailey's Autumn Classic 300.

Coeburn, VA- Lonesome Pine International Raceway and Bailey's Cigarettes have announced the running of the Bailey's Autumn Classic 300 this October 4, 5 and 6th. The 200-lap NASCAR Late Model Stock car show is expected to draw race teams from all over the area.

"This race is a great way to introduce race fans, teams and the entire tri-cities area to Lonesome Pine Raceway," said Lisa Voit, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at LPIR.

Lonesome Pine Raceway has just completed their first season of NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge since under new ownership. The Bailey's Autumn Classic will close out the 2002 year with a full weekend of racing and an impressive purse of over $35,650.

The winner of the 200-lap race will take home $10,000. The fastest car in qualifying will receive a $750 Pole Award presented by Mike Rose and Hobart Sales and Service. The leader of the race at lap 100 will receive a $1,000 Halfway Leader Award, also presented by Mike Rose and Hobart Sales and Service. Pepsi will be presenting a $250 Hard Charger Award and a $250 Hard Luck Award after the Bailey's 300.

Racing action begins on Friday, October 4th with an optional practice and inspection day. Saturday, October 5th is qualifying and heat races. Qualifying begins at 6 p.m. with heat races afterwards. The top ten qualifying speeds will lock in the first ten positions for Sunday's race.

Four heat races will then be ran Saturday evening. The top four finishers in each 25-lap heat race will earn a starting position in the main event. A 25-lap last chance race will be ran at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 6th. The top four finishers in the last chance race earn a starting spot in the 200-lap event. The Bailey's Autumn Classic main 200-lap event will begin at 2 p.m.

Grandstand gates open at 12 p.m. daily. Grandstand admission for Friday is free. Children 11 and under are admitted free. Adult tickets are $10 for Saturday, $15 for Sunday, or a 2-Day Combo ticket for $20. Seniors and students are $8 for Saturday, $12 for Sunday, or $15 for the 2-Day Combo. Youth 12 to 15 tickets are free on Saturday and $6 on Sunday.

For more information call 276-395-5001 or visit www.lonesomepineraceway.com.

-lpr-