LMS: Southern Shoot-out canceled

DIRT MotorSports Cancels Southern Shoot-Out

Norman, OK -- Sept. 6, 2005 -- Although renovations to modernize Volusia Speedway Park are well under way, delays due to an extremely wet summer will make it impossible to complete the improvements in time to run the 2005 Southern Shoot-Out as originally scheduled Dec. 1-3, forcing DIRT MotorSports to cancel the event that was to showcase the World of Outlaws Sprint Series, the World of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series and the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series.

Work on an ambitious plan that includes new and expanded grandstands, new press facilities, a new racing surface and new safety walls, fences and barriers has been ongoing since DIRT MotorSports announced the purchase of the speedway in Barberville, Fla., during the summer. Delaying the transformation of the facility near Daytona Beach until after the Southern Shoot-Out would have interfered with the 2006 season-opening events in February, therefore the Shoot-Out will be rescheduled for a later date in 2006 that also will give fans and touring teams more time to make plans to attend.

"We are eager to show off to fans in one venue how exciting and competitive all of our series are," said Shane Carson, VP of Race Operations. "Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time to complete all the work being done to improve the facility and make it more safe for the fans and drivers. We decided the best option was to postpone the Southern Shoot-Out to next year and make certain Volusia was ready to go when we open the 2006 season there in February."

DIRT MotorSports regrets any inconvenience the cancellation causes fans who made preparations to attend, but looks forward to opening the 2006 season at Volusia and bringing fans the Southern Shoot-Out later next year.

-dms-