All tickets sold for Mansfield inaugural race The May 16 UAW/GM Ohio 250 is a complete sell-out, according to Mansfield Motorsports Speedway officials who made the announcement during an April 23 news conference. The facility has been expanded to 20,000 seats in anticipation of Ohios first NASCAR national touring event since 1954. I really thought when we announced the race we would be selling some tickets on race morning but as soon as we started selling tickets, we knew that wasnt going to be the case, said Jerry Smith, track president and general manager.
Union local, dealers partner to sponsor Ohio 250 United Auto Workers Local 549 and four General Motors dealerships have entered into a multi-year partnership as sponsors of the UAW/GM Ohio 250. General Motors operates an assembly plant in Ontario, Ohio, not far from the Mansfield Motorsports Speedway.
Etc. Jerry Cook, crew chief for the No. 88 Menards Chevrolet of Raybestos Rookie of the Year contender Tracy Hines, won last weekends late model event at Toledo Speedway. Hines, a two-time U.S. Auto Club champion, is no stranger to the Ohio motorsports scene, having won seven midget and sprint car events at three different Buckeye tracks. Hines won USACs national midget event last August at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Drivers Association will make a $1,200 food and cash donation to Harmony House, a Mansfield charity, during a driver autograph session May 13 at the Sears store in Westfield Shoppingtown Richland. A hauler parade to the speedway follows. With the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in a post-Martinsville break, Shane Hmiel (No. 15 Earl Smalls Harley-Davidson Chevrolet) will compete in Saturdays NASCAR Busch Series Stater Bros. 300 presented by Gatorade at California Speedway. Hmiel finished eighth in last years event. Raybestos Rookie of the Year leader David Reutimann (No. 17 NTN Bearings Toyota) also is slated for NASCAR Busch Series duty in California, as is David Starr (No. 75 Spears Manufacturing Chevrolet). Reutimann is set to throw out the first pitch at Knights Stadium before Mondays Charlotte Knights vs. Louisville Bats baseball game. The Knights are the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Fast Facts
What: UAW/GM 250 (Race No. 4 of 25).
Where: Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Speedway.
When: 2 p.m. ET, Sunday, May 16.
Track layout: 0.5 -mile paved oval.
Race length: 250 laps/125 miles.
Posted awards: $440,784.
TV: SPEED Channel, 2 p.m. ET.
Radio: MRN, XM Satellite.
2003 winner: New event.
2003 polesitter: New event.
Pre-race schedule (all times local): Friday Optional Practice, 9 a.m. Noon and 1 4:00 p.m. Saturday Practice 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Qualifying 4:00 p.m.(NASCAR PR)(4-30-2004)
