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Lake Erie Speedway - Information in Regard to Saturday, August 15, 2020 - Race of Champions Events

Good Afternoon;

On Friday, July 10, we announced that after lengthy discussions with the families, primarily Mickey Druar, that the 31st Annual Tribute to Tommy Druar / Tony Jankowiak 110 would take place at Lake Erie Speedway. We understand the move is unorthodox during normal times, however it comes in a year that has no rhyme, nor reason, due to the international pandemic.

From my own perspective, this decision was based solely on the fact, that "it is never the wrong time to do the right thing". A very good friend shared that quote with us nearly a year ago and in many circumstances it is very applicable, this happens to be one.

During our conversations, Mickey noted that both driver's traveled frequently and, "man" did they ever. Tommy Druar dubbed "The Travelin Man" and Tony Jankowiak put their Modifieds through their paces at many, if not all of the popular Modified speed plants throughout the Northeast, New England, Southeast (Florida) and even Indianapolis Raceway Park, where Jankowiak scored a third place finish that has some great lore attached to it. Their expeditions continued to enhance the Western New York region as a hotbed of asphalt Modified racing in addition to opening the eyes of so many to the far reaching racing world beyond Western New York.

The event is one of the most exciting one-day Modified racing events of the season.

The schedule for the event will be released shortly.

The divisions for the event will be as follows;

Race of Champions Modified Series - 110-laps

Race of Champions Super Stock Series - 37-laps

Race of Champions Street Stock Series - 37-laps

Race of Champions Four Cylinder Series - TBD (More information will be made available shortly).

Street Stocks will race on the 2019 tire rule for the remainder of the 2020 season (TCT on 7" wheel). Please Note: The TCT Hoosier or American Racer casing will be permitted for these events. If you have not purchased tires for the 2020 season, all tires must be purchased through Scott Wylie at Wylie Performance. (E-Mail: wyliemotorsports@gmail.com / 716.472.4647).

It will be a one-day event, with no practice day prior.

Tickets for the event went on sale Friday morning, July 17, 2020 (https://www.lakeeriespeedway.com/current-season/purchase-tickets/)

The event will be run in accordance with CDC and Erie County Pennsylvania Guidelines as we did in June, meaning all tickets and pit passes should be purchased from a contactless point-of-sale. If you intend to use cash for your pit pass purchase, to maintain a fair system, the "processing/convenience" fee will be added to the cash purchase in an attempt to have people purchase through the provided systems.

Erie County Pennsylvania remains open in it's "Green Phase", meaning the grandstands will be open in a limited capacity, so please reserve your tickets now.

If you do not have the PitPay APP, upgrades have taken place. Multiple team member purchasing is now available and the Minor purchasing issue is in process and should be active prior to this event.

Tickets for the 70th Annual Presque Isle Downs & Casino Race of Champions Weekend (Thursday, September 24, Friday September 25 and Saturday, September 26) will go on sale Monday.

In regard to the Race of Champions Weekend and with maintaining tradition and building a new tradition we have two preview announcements to make in regard to the event.

The Crown Royal Classic tribute to Joe Reilly "54" will headline Friday, September 25. The 54-lap race will highlight the Sportsman Modified event. As we stated on our social media outlets last week, "Some traditions just need to continue..."

As a note, Joe Reilly, defined the Sportsman division. He wasn't a guy you would see in trade paper headlines, but he worked his ass off to make sure the tradition of Thompson Racing continued whenever there was a race for the team to attend. What's missed in this is that there is a little of Joe Reilly in all of us, from the will to help each other out, to not being afraid to get our hands dirty right down to a little unique ingenuity when we might not be able to go out and purchase the latest technology. We can never lose sight of that and as much as the race may be named in his honor, it is also to recognize the efforts of every crew chief and crew member that puts in an effort to "make it happen" at short tracks across North America each and every weekend.

On Saturday, September 26, we will begin the Rick Wylie 48 tradition with a 48-lap event for the Race of Champions Late Model Series. After Rick's untimely passing his son Scott spoke in regard to hosting a Late Model race in tribute to his late Father. Scott and his Mother, Karen, have worked diligently to put forth a great event to honor Rick. When the time comes, the race will return to its rightful home at Holland International Speedway, where Wylie achieved so many great accomplishments.

All divisions will follow the schedule as it is currently posted on the website for the Race of Champions weekend.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation as we continue down the path that has now become 2020.

Joe Skotnicki and the Race of Champions Family

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