PRA: South Georgia Motorsports Park preview

(Anderson, Indiana) - Ryan Newman, Dave Blaney and Ken Schrader are three very well known drivers in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. But they all have something else in common. They gained early racing experience driving open wheel cars. All three drivers will return to their roots when the Premier Racing Association brings the "Big Car" series to South Georgia Motorsports Park on the night of October 25th.

Schrader, who currently competes in the Nextel Cup Series driving for the Wood Brothers, won the USAC Silver Crown Championship in 1982 when the "Big Cars" were part of that series. He's been a regular in NASCAR racing since 1985.

Newman, who was the Silver Crown champion in 1999, currently drives for famed car owner Roger Penske in NASCAR.

Blaney, who was the Silver Crown champion in 1984, competes in the Nextel Cup Series for Bill Davis Racing and recorded his first victory in the NASCAR Busch Series October 13th at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

This will be the second time Newman has competed in the "Big Car" series, although he raced only a few laps at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis before rain cancelled the event. This will be the third time Schrader has competed in the series. He finished 18th after starting on the pole at ORP in July, and was also running well when the rains came at the September event. It will be Blaney's first appearance.

Other drivers expected on October 25th include current PRA "Big Car" points leader Chet Fillip, a veteran of both the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500, Eric Gordon who won the inaugural PRA event at Illiana Motor Speedway in June, five time Indy 500 starter Jimmy Kite, and two-time USAC Silver Crown Champion Dave Steele.

In addition other NASCAR Nextel Cup driver may make a surprise visit. "At O'Reilly Raceway Park in July both Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards made last minute decisions to come race with us," stated PRA co-founder Jason Smith. "Although we can't confirm other NASCAR drivers besides Ken, Ryan and Dave at this time, we're working hard to convince others they should join us for what should be an exciting evening of racing at South Georgia Motorsports Park."

The "Big Cars", open wheel, open cockpit racers which compete only on paved surfaces, should be ideally suited for the South Georgia half-mile facility. Gates will open at 4pm on the 25th, practice starts at 4:45. An autograph session with all drivers present will precede the start of the 100-lap feature race scheduled to begin at 7:30. Adult tickets are just $20, ages 11-15 at $15. and 10 and under free.

-credit: rj