Local Headlines

• Car Takes First Laps at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway
• Initial Interest, Sales of U.S. Legends Modified Strong
• Inaugural 2011 Series to Be Run at East Lincoln Speedway

CONCORD, NC (October 14, 2010) – The future of dirt track racing took one more step this week toward becoming reality as the new U.S. Legends Modified ran its first public laps at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The U.S. Legends Modified dirt car is the centerpiece of the new dirt track racing series developed by Bruton Smith, chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., and Ray Evernham, CEO of Ray Evernham Enterprises, as part of U.S. Legend Cars International.

“This week is a major milestone in preserving grassroots racing for the future,” said Smith. “We’ve created a comprehensive program featuring great race cars, safe, sanctioned racing for the drivers and thrilling racing for the fans. The reaction from the competitors and the crowd at The Dirt Track has been overwhelming, and we’re looking forward to a great new series next year.”

The new U.S. Legends Modified dirt car, developed by Ray Evernham in conjunction with SMI and U.S. Legend Cars International, is designed for power, performance and affordability. Evernham has overseen the design, fabrication and testing of the new chassis, engine and body style for the car. The cars are being manufactured at the U.S. Legend Cars International factory in Harrisburg, N.C. and sold through the current dealer network.

The series will initially run at East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley, N.C. next year, which is owned by Evernham, and expand to other top dirt tracks around the country.

Car Designed for Dirt Track Power, Performance and Affordability

The new dirt race car is built on the same common platform as the current Legend Car platform, but offers a more powerful engine, improved handling and a bigger car body.
The car specifications include:

Wheel Base: 74 inches
Length: 10 feet 4 inches
Height: 58 inches
Maximum Width: 69 inches
Weight 1,000 pounds (with full fuel cell but without driver)
Motor: 1250cc water cooled Yamaha engine
Horsepower: 140+
Starter: Self Starting
Transmission: 5-speed transmission
Fuel: High-test pump gasoline or racing gasoline
Fuel Cell: 5 gallon fuel safe – fuel cell
Brakes: Live quick change Winters rear end with a center inboard brake caliper
with Wilwood brakes
Steering: Center steer with adjustable steering column
Shocks: 7 Inch Bilstein shocks
Wheels: Aluminum spline 15 inch bead lock rear wheels
10.5 inch wide right rear wheel
8 inch left rear wheel
13 inch front wheels
Body: Front and rear bumpers, Nerf bars, custom Modified body
Cockpit: Full containment seat that accommodates a wide variety of driver sizes and shapes

“The development of the car has definitely been a team effort,” said Evernham, who led the design of the Dodge race car for return to NASCAR Sprint Cup competition in 2001. “There were certain things I was looking at for speed and handling, things for driver safety and protection. Bruton had a lot of input on the car styling, as well as the production of it. I thing we were able to incorporate all of our perspective to create a great race car.”

Evernham also is consulting with the series on rules and competition, and serves as a consultant for marketing and promotion.

Competitors and track owners interested in participating in the new series can contact U.S. Legend Cars International for information at www.uslegendcars.com.

US Legend Cars, Inc.
US Legend Cars, Inc. is a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: TRK), a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The 600 Racing Inc. facility features 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Harrisburg, N.C., capable of producing as many as 40 cars a month. 600 Racing, Inc. has manufactured more than 4,000 Legends Cars since 1992.

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This article posted by East Lincoln Speedway. Click here for more track information.