CROSSVILLE CHRONICLE

According to Branum, having the two speedways 30 miles apart under the same management opened the door for many new opportunities that will benefit competitors and fans alike.

"We will run a full five division racing program at both facilities with Atomic operating on Friday nights and Crossville operating on Saturday nights," Branum said. "Rules governing competition will be the same at both tracks, allowing race teams to set up their race cars without having to make changes to run nights." Branum also said the two track concept will also enhance marketing opportunities, not only for the race tracks, but for the race teams as well.

"It is our goal to bring local dirt track racing up to the next level by giving the fans two of the finest motor sports entertainment facilities in the country facilities they can feel comfortable in and be proud to bring their families to," Branum said. "We hope this fan friendly family atmosphere will attract companies throughout East Tennessee to want to get involved with Atomic Speedway and Crossville Speedway through marketing programs."

Some new incentives for the competitors will also come about from the marriage of these two racing facilities. In addition to being able to race more frequently under the same system of rules at each track, drivers will compete for local, regional, and national points, with a larger points fund at each level. A new National Points Championship for Late Model drivers will be introduced through the sanction of the United Dirt Track Racing Association (UDTRA). Points compiled at UDTRA sanctioned tracks will be credited towards a National Championship points fund which will be a minimum of $57,000.

"With the two track system a driver has the opportunity to win three championships," Branum explained. "We will have a champion at each speedway, a champion for the two tracks and the possibility of having a National Champion. With the talent we will have competing at both Atomic Speedway in Friday nights and Crossville Speedway on Saturday nights, it is very possible that the UDTRA National Champion will come from our speedways."

In addition to the regular weekly programs at Atomic and Crossville Speedways, Branum and his staff have also scheduled many national events for the 1997 racing season.

The Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Model Series has scheduled one race at each track. The Short Track Auto Racing Series (STARS) will compete at Atomic Speedway in April for the Dogwood 100, and the world's fastest short track racing cars in the world, the Frigidaire All Star Circuit of Champions Outlaw Sprint Cars, will unleash their 800 horsepower, fuel-injected, alcohol-burning ground-pounders at each track in 1997.

"By purchasing Crossville Speedway, we are now able to bring the top cars and stars in all of dirt track racing to East Tennessee on a more frequent basis," Branum said. "It has been said by many that Crossville Speedway is one of the nicest dirt tracks in the country. There's great lighting, not a bad seat in the house and for those that like to watch the races from their cars, campers and motor homes, there is plenty of track side tier parking on the backstretch where fans can really get a bird's eye view of the action." During the off season, Branum has assembled a staff of professional motor sports promoters and marketing personnel to help him guide the two tracks in 1997. Branum and his staff are also making improvements to Atomic Speedway, as well as finalizing the 1997 schedule. The new staff appointments and the 1997 schedule for both tracks will be announced in the near future.

Branum did, however, announce the dates for the season openers at the two tracks. Atomic Speedway will open on March 15 with the Cabin Fever 75 for Late Models and Crossville Speedway will open on March 21 and 22 with a Hav-A-Tampa Super Late Model 100-lap Shootout.

Atomic Speedway is located west of Knoxville at the intersection of I-40 and U. S. Highway 321, and Crossville Speedway is located four miles northwest of Crossville on U. S. Highway 70 North. The mailing address for both speedways is P. O. Box 485, Lenoir City, Tenn. 37771.