What do Saturday night short-track race car drivers and the U.S. women's soccer team have in common? Aside from an obvious intense desire to win and fierce competitiveness, both have the rare opportunity to benefit this coming weekend as the women's soccer team heads into the World Cup Finals.
The management at Bethel Motor Speedway has taken a unique stance in supporting the women's soccer team, with a "World Cup Fever" promotion this coming Saturday, July 4th. Any drivers who compete and earn prize money at Bethel this Saturday will have their prize money DOUBLED if the women's soccer team walks away with a win in the World Cup Finals on Sunday.
The promotion includes the "Try It, You'll Love It" program, which allows a competitor free pit entry for their first race at Bethel Motor Speedway. The "Try It, You'll Love It" program has been in place at the speedway since 2009, and gives drivers a chance to race at the facility without the expense traditionally associated with going to a track for the first time. Those utilizing the program this coming weekend will still be entitled to double their winnings.
This is not the first time that the track has used promotions to support the team - when the team made it to the Finals four years ago, the track offered the same promotion for drivers.
This year, however, fans also have the opportunity to get in on the action - if the women's soccer team is victorious on Sunday, spectators who keep their admission ticket from Saturday can present it at the front gate the following week for free entry AND a refund of their $6 admission from this weekend.
"We want to flood the speedway with patriotism and red, white, and blue, and it's especially fitting that it is the 4th of July," stated Business Operations Manager Tracy Chirico. Fans are being encouraged to dress patriotically, with two race event DVDs being given away courtesy of Shanty Hill Productions to the patrons who are dressed "most patriotically". One child (16 and under) and one adult will be awarded with DVDs.
Several sponsors have joined forces to back the promotion, including Alliance Shippers, NorthEast Legends, Universal Pool, and Behrent's Performance Warehouse.
The jam-packed schedule at Bethel Motor Speedway for this coming Saturday includes twin 25-lap races for the BMS Modified, 358/Sportsman, Pro Stock, Street Stock, and 4 Cylinder Advanced and Novice classes. The INEX Legends and Bandoleros will each run a single feature event. The night will kick off with the completion of the 4 Cylinder Novice race from June 20th, which had to be postponed due to rain. The Northeast Vintage Dirt Modifieds will also be on hand.
Gates open at 2:30 pm, with hot laps at 4:30 pm, and racing action set to go green at 6 pm. Grandstand admission is just $6.
More information can be obtained online at www.bethelmotorspeedway.com, or by calling (845) 319-7908.