By Inside Line Promotions
– TULSA, Okla. (April 5) – Riverside International Speedway is picturesque and historical; a unique venue to showcase one of the most entertaining nights of racing across the country.
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the tacky 1/4th-mile oval in West Memphis, Ark., hosts the 3rd annual Sprintsource.com Rock ‘N Roll 50 on May 7. The TBJ Promotions’ event is also sanctioned by the ASCS National Tour, which will bring some of the top 360 sprint car stars.
“The main reason I wanted to race there is because there’s so much history and so many storied drivers who have come from there,” TBJ Promotions Founder Tony Bruce Jr. said. “Memphis is really rich in tradition in the history of racing.”
Racing greats such as Richard Petty, Al Unser Sr. and A.J. Foyt – among countless others – competed at the historic track, which was built in 1949. TBJ Promotions established the Sprintsource.com Rock ‘N Roll 50 during the 2009 season and it remains the longest race – 50 laps – on the ASCS National Tour schedule.
“There aren’t many sprint car races around the country that are 50 laps,” Bruce Jr. said.
The event has been operated as a two-day race the past two years. However, TBJ Promotions decided it was in everyone’s best interest to make it a one-day, $6,000-to-win race.
“The main reason we did only one night this year is for the fans,” Bruce Jr. said. “I want to give them the best show they can possibly see.
“I hate having fans walk away disappointed. Last year I was extremely disappointed after the race. I was literally driving around the track during the feature and watching fans leave.”
The goal is to eliminate the wear and tear that has affected the track during the feature of the finale. And to allow the drivers to showcase their talent on the gumbo track known for being “unbelievably tacky.”
Adding to the prestige is the one-of-a-kind trophy – a customized Gibson guitar to the winner.
“It’s the neatest trophy I’ve got,” said veteran Tim Crawley, who has claimed the trophy each year. “All these years of racing, everyone once in a while you get something different. The guitar deal, not only is it a cool trophy, but it’s actually worth a little bit of money.”
Crawley, who hails from Benton, Ark., has won three out of the four ASCS National Tour races at the Sprintsource.com Rock ‘N Roll 50. Bruce Jr. was victorious in the other.
The front gate is scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m. with racing listed for 7:30 p.m.
For more information and discounted tickets, visit www.tbjpromotions.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Sprintsource.com
Sprintsource.com, which is owned and operated by Driver Websites, provides up-to-date news and results from the sprint car community. Anyone can add articles and photos to the interactive website.
Sprintsource.com also offers a sprint car fantasy league, which is slated to be released in May. Cash prizes, team merchandise and gift certificates will be given away throughout the season.
“Tony has a lot of awesome things to offer,” Sprintsource.com Co-Founder Josh Holt said. “He’s really dedicated to making his shows stand out. All of us at Driver Websites are excited to work with him and we’ll do everything we can to help him.”
Stay tuned for the newest features of Sprintsource.com, including more ways to improve user functionality. For more information, visit www.sprintsource.com.
“The cool thing about Sprintsource.com is that it’s an interactive website that allows anyone to post a driver, track or series press release,” Bruce Jr. said. “Check out Sprintsource.com to stay current in what’s happening in sprint car racing.”