From Inside Line Promotions
Somerton, AZ — (December 8, 2014) — A pair of dynamic forces in sprint car racing will align for the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown.
Ohio native Dale Blaney, who is coming off a career-best season when he powered to 21 feature victories, will team up with veteran crew chief and car owner Paul Silva for the event at Cocopah Speedway on Jan. 2-3, Jan. 6 and Jan. 9-10.
“Rico (Abreu) was the guy who called me and asked if I was going to run,” Blaney said. “I didn’t know at that point. It’s a long way from Columbus, Ohio, to Arizona. I talked to Paul in Charlotte and worked things out. There’s probably about two opportunities in my book that I’d run someone else’s car and his is one of them. I have a lot of respect for that guy. His cars are really fast and I’d like to jump in them to see if I’m just as fast.”
Silva said he had to make some modifications to a new car to accommodate Blaney, who is 6-foot-4.
“I was looking for someone to do a good job and I think he’ll do a good job,” Silva said. “He’s definitely a good racer.”
Blaney, who said he has never been to Cocopah Speedway and hasn’t raced in the state of Arizona since the late 1990s, added that he is excited about the opportunity to continue racing throughout the offseason.
“It’s definitely a bonus,” he said. “I went to Australia last year and ran probably 14 times and came back here and had my best year ever. I don’t know if that has anything to do with anything, but I’m a superstitious guy. If I can race in the winter time it’s a bonus.”
There is also a financial incentive for drivers to head to Arizona. The Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown weekend races – Jan. 2-3 and Jan. 9-10 – pay $12,000 to win and $1,000 to start with the event on Jan. 6 paying $5,000 to win. There is also a points fund for the top five in overall points.
“I’ve seen videos of races out there,” Blaney said. “It looks like a fun place to race and that it creates good racing.”
Tickets are available for sale online by visiting https://secure.pivotalracing.com/venues/cocopah-speedway.