ALLSTAR: East Bay preview

TAMPA, FL (1/20/01) A record number of pre-race entries are already on file for the 25th Anniversary running of East Bay Raceway's All Star Sprint $130,000 Winternationals set for Wednesday through Saturday, February 14-17,2001.

Sammy Swindell out of Bartlett TN, a past East Bay Winternationals Champion, now joins the list of 82 drivers from 21 states who will be competing on the 1/3 mile clay oval over a four-night stand, leading up to Saturday night's 50-lap feature worth $25,000 to the winner.

The All Stars group has been sanctioning East Bay's Winternationals since 1983 and in 1984, Swindell's preliminary night finishes were a 9th, 7th and 19th before winning the Championship on the final night. He returned again In 1987 when the track was known as Florida National Speedway with finishes of 3rd, 17th and 20th in only a three-day affair that year.

Although Swindell competed in several of the All Stars Ohio Speedweek series, his year to dominate there was 1990, when he won five out of seven races. His total of 17 All Star feature wins so far, puts him 20th in the ranking of 130 different winners over their 21 year history.

Besides being a World of Outlaws Champion, Swindell recently sharpened his driving skills in a midget at the 15th Annual Chill Bowl, where he is the only four-time Champion. This year he won a preliminary night, was 2nd in the finale coming to the checkered flag where he was nipped at the wire by another driver who is entered at East Bay, Danny Lasoski.

Lasoski, out of Dover MO, won three out of four nights of the Winternationals last year. Other previous East Bay winners entered include Mark Keegan, Kenny Adams, Kenny Jacobs the defending All Star season champion, Lance Dewease, Billy Pauch, Gary Wright and Jeff Shepard.

Reserved seat tickets are available by calling toll free 1-877-457-5611 using Mastercard or Visa. Prior to the All Stars, East Bay Is racing 360's, STARS and UDTRA Late Models, DIRT Modifieds, Open Wheel Modifieds, and Run What You Brung. Action starts Feb. 1st. Overnight camping is available for $15 per weekend or $26 for the entire 17-race nights. The track is located south of 1-4 off Route 41 or take 1-76 South of 1-4 to the Gibsonton Exit.

-Jean Lynch