GPS ushers in 60th season

GREENVILLE PICKENS SPEEDWAY USHERS IN 60TH SEASON MARCH 19

GREENVILLE. S.C. (March 9, 2005) -- Long before the late Bill France Sr. dreamed of racing on the sands of Daytona, the racing pioneer realized his dream of building a racetrack in the red clay of Upstate South Carolina. That dream came true on July 4, 1946, as the first laps were turned before a crowd of more than 20,000 fans gathered at the flat 1/2-mile dirt oval scratched from the earth near the Greenville and Pickens county line.

The historic track is one of very few NASCAR tracks in the nation to predate the founding of the National Association of Stock Car Automobile Association in Daytona Beach, giving local race fans a ringside seat to a wealth of racing history over the next six decades.

GPS' history includes 29 Grand National events, predecessor of today's Nextel Cup series, and the running of the nation's first race televised live from flag to flag to a national audience on ABC's "Wide World of Sports." The names of the drivers read like a "who's who" in NASCAR pioneers.

On Saturday night, March 19th, the green flag will fall on the historic 60th season at Greenville Pickens Speedway, as upstate drivers and teams start the 2005 chase for a NASCAR Weekly Racing Series championship, defended by returning Late Model champ Kenneth Headen of Greenville.

A 40-lap feature will be the "Jerry Howard Memorial" to honor of the long-time track announcer who lost a bout with pancreatic cancer during the off season. Contests in the Sportsman, Charger and Renegade divisions will round out the evening of racing that will close with a traditional fireworks display.

"FOX CAROLINA OPENING NIGHT 2005" will be presented by WESC 92.5, the Upstate's racing station. A pre-race salute will begin at 7:30pm, with the first race set for 8 p.m.

Adult general admission will be $10, with kids under 12 admitted free with an adult.

The Greenville Pickens Speedway is located at the intersection of S.C. highways 123 and 124 between Greenville and Easley. For more information, call the main office at (864) 269-0852, or visit the speedway website at www.greenvillepickens.com

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