Total Seal joins SWDRA as title sponsor for '10
The Southwest Dirt Racing Association got a boost Friday when it was announced the Arizona-based Dirt Late Model tour has landed Total Seal Piston Rings of Phoenix, Ariz., as title sponsor for the 2010 season, said SWDRA co-director Kyle Porter.
The new sponsorship has allowed SWDRA to boast its richest-ever point fund with $12,000 going to the series champion. The previous richest payout for the title was $4,000.
"This is a huge step for Super Late Model racing in Arizona and has the full commitment of USA Raceway and Canyon Speedway Park," said Porter, who announced the sponsorship at Friday's pre-race meeting at Tucson's USA Raceway. "We are very excited that Total Seal sees the potential for a strong Super Late Model series in the West."
Benji Lyons and Kevin Montgomery of USA Raceway have committed to eight series dates for 2010 while Canyon Speedway Park's Doug Gabbard plans six events. The series hopes to add a few more races at other tracks as it tries to overcome the loss of now-closed Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix and Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande.
The sponsorship and points fund boost is "great news for Arizona dirt racing which has had more than its share of setbacks in the last year," Porter said.
Besides the $12,000 champion's share, additional contingency awards will be offered for drivers finishing second, third and fourth in the points. A driver who finishes from fifth to 15th in SWDRA points next season has the chance to win a GRT Race Car including interior sheetmetal.
Regular-season SWDRA events are scheduled to pay $1,000 to the winner and at least $175 to each starter.
