'Champion Motor Speedway opener is Saturday'

The Plaza Hotel and 76 Racing Fuel presents the Nevada Appeal -- Sierra Mountain Super Series season opener Saturday at Champion Motor Speedway.

The evening features Charter Super Late Models from northern Nevada taking on the quickest pro stocks from central California in a 125-lap showdown.

Also on tap are Les Schwab Street Stocks, Legends, Hustlin' Hornets, along with the debut of the Fast Four Trophy Dash series and Ponderosa Stamp & Engraving kids bicycle races.

In celebration of Mothers Day weekend, track officials have frozen all front gate admissions at the regular event rate. Adults are $9, seniors and military are $7, teens 13-18 are $5, and juniors ages 6-12 are $3. Kids ages 5 and younger are free.

"I'm excited as I can possibly be to finally open the gates for the 40th anniversary of Champion Motor Speedway," said Jeb Onweiler, general manager.

"We and the fans were disappointed at last weekend being rained out. But a lot of the things we promised are completed or near completion. And we have a lot of guys coming from California who are very anxious to go racing, including a ton of Western Modifieds. They've been rained out for weeks, too.

"We should have a strong showing in the Super Series. I think it's going to be one heck of a show. It's also fan appreciation night. We are excited and enthused about Saturday. We'd like to see a lot of kids come out and get signed up for the new Kids Club."

Onweiler said new lighting installed at the track is "fantastic" and fans will be blown away by it.

Chris Wyatt has joined the team with "Champions Choice" concessions, featuring a new food menu and ice cold Coors beer. "Thunder Theater" locations will be set up with live ARCA RE/MAX racing series from Kentucky Speedway, Targa Rally racing from Newfoundland and the ADTRA Xtreme Dirt car series from Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, N.C.

Before the evening's races get under way, Longs Jewelers will present the best looking car contest. Every racer competing Saturday night will be eligible to present a race car, and the fans in the stands will decide the outcome.

The front gates open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Champion Motor Speedway is at 1210 Race Track Road, via Bigelow from Snyder Avenue.

For information, call the CMS business office 267-0505 or log on @ www.ChampionMotorSpeedway.com.