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Doty Discusses Strength of Western PA Heading into Dirt Classic Qualifiers

(Photo by DB3 Imaging)

Inside Line Promotions – CATAWBA, N.C. (May 28, 2014) – The Western Pennsylvania sprint car scene is almost known as the younger brother to Central Pennsylvania, which is home to the famed PA Posse.

“I think it was the same back then,” former sprint car great and current television broadcaster Brad Doty said. “When I was running in Western PA, Central PA was considered the hot bed.”

Doty began to earn his prominence while competing in Western Pennsylvania nearly 35 years ago when he jumpstarted an elite career in 1980 by garnering the track championships at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. He also claimed the Cavalcade Western Pennsylvania championship for winning the most races in the region.

“It was a big year,” he said. “That’s when I met Sam Bowers. He sat in the grandstands and sponsored a late model. He decided he wanted to go sprint car racing. We finished out the 1980 season with him. Then he moved me to Western PA and bought me new cars and my whole world exploded.”

Doty won Rookie of the Year with the All Star Circuit of Champions in 1981 and he picked up the same title in 1982 with the World of Outlaws.

“There was some very talented and still are some talented Western PA drivers,” he said.

These days Tim Shaffer has transitioned into the wily veteran of the region. Shaffer garnered the sports most prestigious prize in 2010 when he made a last-lap pass to win the Knoxville Nationals. It was a shocking victory that propelled all racing fans to their feet. It was also a win that Western PA could hang its hat on.

In recent years numerous up-and-comers have started to bloom in the region led by Danny Holtgraver.

“There’s a lot of good up-and-coming guys around here that are only a couple of years into it,” he said. “I think you’re going to see a lot more from this region.”

Holtgraver is edging closer and closer to a landmark triumph, which he feels is just around the corner.

“I think we’re really close,” he said. “Hopefully we get that marquee win before the Dirt Classic, but that’d be a great one to add to the résumé.”

Holtgraver has the inaugural Dirt Classic Presented by Kasey Kahne, which is set for Saturday, Sept. 27, at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa., circled on his calendar. First there are a pair of Dirt Classic qualifiers, starting in Western PA at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa., this Sunday.

“A lot of Western PA guys don’t get the respect they deserve,” PA Posse driver Greg Hodnett said. “When you go to anybody’s backyard they are tough.”

The front gates will open at 3:30 p.m. with hot laps scheduled for 5:45 p.m. and qualifying at approximately 6:15 p.m.

The second qualifier shifts east on Sunday, June 8, at Bedford Speedway in Bedford, Pa. Gates will open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m. and qualifying at 6:30 p.m.

“I think it’s an awesome deal, especially with the qualifiers,” Holtgraver said.

The winner of each qualifier is guaranteed a starting position in the inaugural $20,000-to-win Dirt Classic Presented by Kasey Kahne – a headlining race that could be the right break for a driver from Western Pennsylvania.

“Tim Shaffer coming out of Western PA and going to win the Knoxville Nationals, that shows there’s talent there,” Doty said. “As Shaffer and Holtgraver have shown by going out on the road, they have proven their worth. Those two guys can go up against anybody.”

THE DIRT CLASSIC PRESENTED BY KASEY KAHNE –

Date: Saturday, Sept. 27

Track: Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa.

Prize: $20,000 to win; $50,000+ total purse

Qualifying Races: Sunday, June 1, at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa., and Sunday, June 8, at Bedford Speedway in Bedford, Pa.

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.DirtClassic.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DirtClassic

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheDirtClassic

TICKETS –

Advanced tickets are on sale by clicking http://www.DirtClassic.com. Tickets will also be available on The Dirt Classic Facebook page, which will feature special giveaways throughout the year.

THE EVENT –

NASCAR star Kasey Kahne has enjoyed racing success in Central Pennsylvania as a fan, driver, car owner and promoter. With his roots in winged sprint car racing and a respect for the passion of the PA Posse faithful, Kahne has created The Dirt Classic Presented by Kasey Kahne. The first annual event will feature two $5,000-to-win qualifying races – Sunday, June 1, at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa., and Sunday, June 8, at Bedford Speedway in Bedford, Pa. – before the $20,000-to-win spectacle at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa., on Saturday, Sept. 27. For more information about the event, visit http://www.DirtClassic.com.

LINCOLN SPEEDWAY –

Located in Abbottstown, Pa., Lincoln Speedway is one of the most historic race tracks in the country. The 3/8-mile oval has been in operation for more than 60 years and features one of the most distinguished 410ci weekly programs. For more information about the track, visit http://www.LincolnSpeedway.com.

INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –

Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.

To meet the media relations needs of your program and to join Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or InsideLinePromotions@gmail.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.

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