Portsmouth Raceway Park To Open Saturday!

PRP will again feature Giovanni’s Pizza Late Models, The R.W. Rental and Supplies UMP Modifieds, O’Reilly Auto Parts Limited Late Models, as well as The M & M Inflatables Bombers. These four divisions have been staples at PRP for over 20 years.

“I can’t wait for opening night,” PRP Promoter Donna Rayburn said. “(Track Owner) Tim Coleman has worked extremely hard to get things ready, and we’re again anticipating another wonderful year.”

The Coleman family-owned facility will finally be able to begin its 24th full season of operation after three straight weekends of either rain or flooding.

The facility was completely submerged two weeks ago as a result of a late spring flood, but Rayburn says everything is set for this Saturday. “It’s amazing how much work Tim and his guys were able to do in such a short period of time,” Rayburn said. “They’ve done a lot of cleaning, painting, and moving over the past couple of weeks.”

PRP was originally scheduled to open on May 10th but had to adjust its schedule due to weather. All of the facility’s portable structures, such as concession trailers and ticket booths were in place the week leading up to May 17th but had to be moved off the property once the waters began to rise. They are now back in place and ready to accommodate this weekend’s crowd.

Portsmouth Raceway Park representatives feel the wait will certainly be worthwhile due to the action-packed 2014 schedule, which is littered with numerous showcase events.

“The Dirt Track World Championship is one of the premier races in the entire country, so we’re obviously ecstatic that it will be returning to Portsmouth for the third straight year,” Rayburn said. “We’re privileged to have three Lucas Oil events.” The 34th annual DTWC scheduled for October 16th -18th will again be the Lucas Oil Series finale. The race will pay $50,000 to win.

The Lucas Series will also stop in Portsmouth on July 4th and August 30th for a pair of $10,000-to-win shows. As for other big-paying Late Model events, the 3rd annual Boone Coleman “Gator 50” was initially slated to be raced over Memorial Day Weekend, but it will now take place on June 14th. It will pay Late Models $5,000 to win and provide the winner with a provisional starting position in this year’s DTWC.

The 20th annual Fred Dillow Memorial has developed into a huge race for all of PRP’s classes. This storied event returns on August 16th. The Bozo Bragdon Memorial Late Model Time Trials referred to as “Bozo’s Just Give Me One Lap” Late Model Time Trials will again take place on the night of the Fred Dillow Memorial. The Bragdon family will provide the Late Model fast qualifier with $1,077.

Modified fans will be treated to the Mod Squad Spectacular on August 2nd which will pay $3,000 to win. The Modified portion of this fall’s DTWC also pays $3,000 to win.

The Premier Precast Products Limited Late Model Extravaganza is set for June 21st. The Weaver’s Gas and Oil Bomber Shootout will take place July 19th. Mod Lites will make their annual PRP appearance on July 26th racing for $1,000 to win.

Kids Night is June 28th. The Body Shop Physical Therapy Fan Appreciation Night is slated for August 23rd.

For more info, visit online at www.portsraceway.com and like PRP on Facebook.