NEW EGYPT — In a blockbuster announcement, promoters Howard Comman-der and Rick Grosso Sr. have finalized plans to put NASCAR Winston Cup stars Tony Stewart and Dave Blaney in big-block dirt Modifieds to race against the division’s best in a special "Down & Dirty!" event to be held at Grosso’s New Egypt Speedway on Aug. 22.
Stewart, runner-up to champion Jeff Gordon in the 2001 Winston Cup series and winner of this year’s Budweiser Shootout and IROC series opening round at Daytona, is set to drive Team Goewey’s GE Silicone XST No. 20 Teo-built Modified, powered by a Kevin Enders big-block engine.
His fellow Winston Cupper, former "Pennzoil World of Outlaws" standout Dave Blaney, will drive Knoth and Hastings’ Smith Bros. Teo No. 74, with a Precision Engineering big-block under the bonnet.
Stewart and Blaney, who will also reprise last year’s successful appearances at Commander’s Lebanon Valley Speedway, are ready for the New Egypt regulars.
"Short track racing is where my heart is," said Stewart, who scored a Midget win at Tulsa, Okla.’s "Chili Bowl" during NASCAR’s off-season. "The New Egypt fans will get their money’s worth because I’ll be racing for real. When I leave, the car will either be a winner or in a wad."
Rich Pallai, vice president of marketing for Carquest Auto Parts, major sponsor of both the Lebanon Valley and New Egypt Stewart/Blaney dates, can attest to Stewart’s fan appeal. "Bar none, last year’s race at Lebanon Valley was one of the best events in the track’s 50-year history," said Pallai. "Tony and Dave did an absolutely amazing job for Carquest’s employees and customers."
New Egypt’s "Down & Dirty!" Aug. 22 special will pit Stewart and Blaney against the likes of track kingpins Billy Pauch, Kenny Brightbill, Keith Hoffman, Frank Cozze and many more in a series of qualifying races culminating in a 100-lap feature event. Ticket information will be released in the coming weeks.
The track will also host a private, catered reception, affording sponsors the opportunity to meet and mingle with stars Stewart and Blaney before the race.
A very limited number of corporate sponsorships are still available. Interested parties can call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900 for further details.