A spankin’ new season of racing action is ready to roll at New Egypt Speedway starting Saturday when the Perlmutter Family ShopRite superstores present the track’s Spring Lidlifter, featuring a five-division race card and, of course, some fun stuff for the fans.
There will be surprises for the kids, trophies for the race winners, and a unique "shopping" experience for a few lucky fans. Select couples will grab shopping carts and race down the frontstretch, collecting groceries from a list along the way. The first couple to reach the finish line will take home the groceries plus a $50 gift certificate, good at any of the Perlmutter Family ShopRite stores.
ShopRite’s Spring Lidlifter will begin New Egypt’s sixth year under the Grosso family. An expected 140-plus race cars will be in competition, headed by Modified division stars Billy Pauch, Kenny Brightbill, Keith Hoffman, Frank Cozze, Darren McCaughey, Roger Laureno and more. In the Sportsman class, the title will be wide open as 2002 champion G.R. Smith is moving up to the Modified ranks. It’s the same scenario in the Super Stock class, with 2002 title holder Gary Butler switching to Sportsman competition. The Mid-State Communications Rookie Sportsman series has 17 novice drivers itching to validate their wheel-turning talent. The addition of the new SS Sprint division, scheduled to run 14 times this season, will satisfy fans of open-wheel winged action.
Gates will open at noon on April 5 to accommodate tech inspection and the sale of pit licenses. The first race is scheduled for 5 p.m. Adult admission is $15, children ages 7-12 get in for $5, and kids age 6 and under get in free.
Young fans will have the time of their lives starting this season at New Egypt as track management announces the formation of a special Saturday-night Kids’ Club for children age 10 and under.
The Ralphie the Racer Kids’ Club, named for the big, cheerful dog character that is the New Egypt Speedway mascot, will meet every Saturday at 7 p.m in the track’s picnic area. Thanks to a generous start-up funding from Horn Dental Associates of Pitman, sponsor of Conaway Racing’s No. US-2 Super Stock, Kids’ Club members will engage in a structured, supervised activity each week — everything from coloring contests to relay races to face painting and more. Kids’ Club activities will be under the supervision of Kim Dunn, an experienced child-care instructor who is certified in first aid and CPR.
Driver Pat Conaway is also donating a yellow school bus that will be used as the club’s Fan Van, where club members can ride through the pit area prior to the night’s activities with announcer Nick Leach acting as tour guide. The club is open to all kids age 10 and under. The $10 club membership fee includes a specially-designed Ralphie the Racer T-shirt, a full-color Ralphie autograph card, pit tours, a monthly newsletter, and more.